GIA exec Peterson sums up convention: Great!
Pub Date: 6/1/2008
By Neil Peterson
Executive Director
Gaming Industry Association
Great! That s how I sum up my first Gaming Industry Association of Montana (GIA) Annual Convention held at Chico Hot Springs Resort this past May.
Great! an opportunity to meet the membership of the GIA and to meet their families and business associates. They are the nicest and most caring people you would want to meet and, even better, a lot of fun to be around.
Great! an opportunity to play and learn the game of Texas Hold Em. Thanks to some dumb luck and lack of skill (who can read a player who doesn t know a good hand from a bad hand?) I made the finals of the poker tournament. But unlike former GIA Executive Director Rich Miller last year, I did not win the championship. The clock struck midnight and I was the first out in the final round.
Great! an opportunity to meet and visit with all five candidates for the office of Attorney General. All five candidates are very personable and eager to hear about issues important to the GIA.
Great! an opportunity to listen and learn about the gaming industry. During the annual meeting a number of topics were discussed with viewpoints presented on both sides. I continue to be amazed by the depth of knowledge and understanding of the issues by members of the GIA.
Great! an opportunity to meet folks who provide goods and services to the gaming industry. It s great to get their perspective on what s happening in Montana and other parts of the world.
I ll sum up my experience in two words: "information and networking" two areas that are important to the success of any business but especially true for folks involved in the gaming business.
What better way to ensure the success of your business but to have timely and accurate information to make business decisions and to discuss areas of interest with others in the same situation?
The old adage, experience is the best teacher, is well known but the second half of the adage is not: ...as long as it s someone else s experience.
If you are in the gaming business and are interested and want to participate in where the industry is going, you need to take a hard look at joining the GIA.
I guarantee, as it was for me, it will be Great!
Source: The Montana Tavern Times, June, 2008, published monthly by Continental Communications, 125 W. Granite St., Suite 102, Butte, MT 59701.