GIA membership advantageous for all
By Neil Peterson
GIA Executive Director
In past columns I have written about the tough times folks in the entertainment industry have been going through over the last year or so. The impacts of full implementation of the statewide smoking ban, the downturn in the economy both at the national and state level, the changing culture of alcohol consumption in Montana, and the sometimes tough Montana weather.
All of these factors may lend some operators to cut costs, hunker down and wait for better times. This action may well be what is needed for survival. One of the costs some folks tend to eliminate is memberships in industry associations, thinking when times get better he will be able to participate again.
I would suggest the opposite is true. Tough times call for folks to get more involved in their industry associations. I tell people the reasons to belong to the Gaming Industry Association (GIA) are very simple: Information and Networking.
Being a member of the GIA provides you with information on legislative and regulatory issues, and the latest trends in your industry. The legislature reconvenes in a couple of month and will be tackling a number of issues that will have an impact on your business. Operators need to be aware of what is occurring as it is occurring so they can participate in the legislative process.
It does no good to hear about something after it is already finalized and then express concerns. Both the Department of Justice and the Department of Revenue have jobs to do regulating gambling and the sale of alcohol. Again, as new regulations are proposed, folks need to be involved during the process, not after it's all done.
Secondly, membership allows you to network with your peers. Every time the GIA meets, I see fellow members discussing their operations and sharing ideas on what things have worked for them, what hasn't worked, and how to best implement the things that do work.
No matter how big or small an operator is, everyone learns something when GIA members get together. Developing relationships with your fellow business owners also allows you to pick up the phone and discuss issues impacting your business.
The GIA Board of Directors is committed to improving the gaming industry in Montana. Membership in the GIA is a small investment with great returns. I encourage anyone who has gaming as an important revenue source for their business to consider joining the GIA.
Please contact me by phone at 406-449-2481 or e-mail me at n.peterson@bresnan.net. I will be happy to provide you with additional information and an application form to become a member of the GIA.