Gaming News

Caribbean Gaming Conference a Success

PUERTO RICO – (PRESS RELEASE) -- Nearly 1,500 industry professionals took part in the largest-ever Caribbean Gaming & Hospitality Conference (CGHC) held last week in San Juan, Puerto Rico. More than 200 participants focused on refining their management and competitive strategies at the educational sessions, and an additional 1,200 visitors attended the trade show. In all, over 30 Caribbean, Latin American, European, and North American countries were represented at the two-day event.

According to Bruce Smith, conference founder and president of WestVille Enterprises, Inc., this year's event was totally focused on growth through enhanced accountability, systems analysis, improved technology, and new games. "With the region in an economic upturn, conference participants told us they wanted as many skills-building sessions as possible," said Smith. "Capturing market share and discretionary spending is the key to success, so we developed our sessions with that in mind. Judging from the feedback, no one was disappointed." CGHC is the only industry event of its kind exclusively for the Caribbean market. This year's event was the sixth annual conference.

Smith noted that even with tighter U.S. visa regulations attendance still grew. "In the past two years, the ups and downs of the regional economy also affected our numbers. But this year," he said, "the trend reversed itself." Smith said that over 40 companies, including producers, distributors, and dealers, showcased their products in the exhibit hall, a significant increase over last year. "At the same time," added Smith, "we had the most extensive media coverage ever, both local and international."

Caribbean Gaming & Hospitality Conference is supported by sponsors that have attended the show for years, many from the beginning. "We are indebted to them," said Smith, "for believing in the importance of this event. Partnerships have been formed that will continue well in to the future." Smith said the reason for this is that companies meet the right decisionmakers at CGHC: people who can close the business. He cited as an example that every one of Puerto Rico's 18 casinos had at least one representative at the conference. Some of the casinos in attendance represented such jurisdictions as Aruba, St. Martin, Curacao, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Guatemala, Ecuador, Venezuela, Peru, Argentina, and the United States.

This year's sponsors included Aristocrat Technologies, Inc. (Platinum); AC Coin & Slot and UNIDESA Gaming & Systems (Gold); Ainsworth Game Technology, Cyberview Technology, Inc., Puerto Rico Tourism Company, VendingData Corp., and WMS Gaming, Inc. (Silver); and ALAJA, Casino Enterprise Management, Casino International, Gaming Laboratories International, Casinos de Latinoamerica, Global Gaming Business, and IGWB (Media, Association, and Event Sponsors).

A highlight of this year's conference was a discussion of the proposed gaming regulations for Puerto Rico and its new central slot system. According to Smith, these initiatives are considered potential models for the region that could transform the gaming industry. As in the past, all sessions offered simultaneous English-Spanish translation.

Caribbean Gaming & Hospitality Conference 2005 will take place June 14-15 at the Caribe Hilton Hotel in San Juan. Preliminary program schedules and session content will be posted online at http://www.caribbeangaming.net as well as Early Bird registration. For more information about exhibiting or attending next year's conference, contact Bruce Smith at WestVille Enterprises: + 914-337-1246 (tel); + 914-337-1147 (fax); brucesmith@caribbeangaming.net

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