Some 400 people attended the Casino Marketing Conference and/or the Player Development Summit in 2008. They came from more than 30 states and six Canadian provinces, and from as far away as South Africa, Macau, Austria and Lebanon.

They came because Casino Marketing is a hard-hitting, senior-level conference that addresses marketing challenges across all facets of the gaming industry, including commercial casinos, tribal casinos and racetrack casinos – virtually any gaming venue around the world.

Attendees experience a more thorough platform of industry experts than ever before – more than two days of one-of-a-kind information-sharing and networking unmatched by any other conference.

The Romero Awards

The Romero Awards, named after casino marketing pioneer and author John Romero, honor those gaming operators who best fulfill the spirit of John’s more than 45-year crusade for effective, measurable and accountable casino marketing expenditures.

The 2009 competition is now open. Start thinking about your award-winning entries and find the entry form and complete information here.

The deadline for entries is April 30, 2009.

Comments or questions about the conference?

We welcome your comments and suggestions about Casino Marketing Conference and Player Development Summit. Please email Patricia McQueen.

Questions about exhibit booths or sponsorships?

Start thinking about next year! Learn how to reach potential customers at Casino Marketing 2009. Contact Lesley Grashow for more information.

The second Player Development Summit improved on its successful debut last year with a top-notch lineup of experts who explored specific demographic markets and how gaming operators can best reach them. These included Asian, Hispanic, Gen X and Gen Y, Senior and Tourist markets groups, and the discussions included everything from the size of the markets to the cultures, habits and behaviors that define them.

Scenes from Casino Marketing Conference

Learn More about the Romero Awards

The 2009 Casino Marketing Lifetime Achievement Award

The 2009 award will be presented to Lyle Berman, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Lakes Entertainment, Inc., at Casino Marketing 2009.

With nearly 20 years in the gaming industry, Berman is credited as one of the early visionaries in the development of casinos outside of the traditional gaming markets of Las Vegas and Atlantic City. In 1990, he participated in the founding of Grand Casinos, Inc., which in less than five years opened eight casino resorts in four states. The company was named the Fastest Growing Company in America by Fortune magazine in 1995.

In 1998, Grand Casinos' Mississippi assets were merged with the gaming division of Hilton Hotels Corp. to form Park Place Entertainment Corp., which subsequently was purchased by Harrah's. Lakes Entertainment, Inc., Berman's second Indian gaming management company, was formed in 1999. Lakes Entertainment currently manages Four Winds Casino in Michigan and Red Hawk Casino in California, with other deals pending.

As Chairman and CEO of Lakes Entertainment, Berman was instrumental in creating the World Poker Tour, now a public company. In a very short time, the World Poker Tour revolutionized the game of poker throughout the world. Berman was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 2004.