National Conference Shines Spotlight
on Casino Marketing

LAS VEGAS (June 16, 2004) – Marketing is the creative force that drives the casino industry’s phenomenal growth. Now, for the first time, casino marketers have their own conference: “Casino Marketing 2004: The National Conference,” which will be held July 25-27, 2004, at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. This first-of-its-kind conference, co-produced by Raving Consulting and Ascend Media Gaming Group, will address specific marketing issues facing casino operators in national and regional gaming markets.

“This experts-sharing-with-experts conference is long overdue for casino marketers,” says Dennis Conrad, Raving Consulting president and conference coordinator. “It will provide one-of-a-kind information, strategies and networking for senior level gaming professionals. The format will allow for educational and engaging presentations from some of most respected marketing minds in the industry, followed by frank discussions and hard-hitting questions.”

The conference features three diverse keynote presentations. Tom Bedell, CEO of a major international sporting company, will reveal how he created the “biggest and best” from a “mom and pop” start. Marilyn Winn, Senior Vice President of Harrah’s Las Vegas Operations, will deliver a luncheon keynote address on “Current Marketing Challenges of the North American Gaming Industry.” Ginny Shanks, Senior Vice President of Acquisition Marketing for Harrah’s, will provide the opening night keynote on July 25.

John Romero will receive the first-ever Lifetime Achievement Award in casino marketing. Romero will be recognized at an awards breakfast July 26 for contributing a lifetime of casino marketing wisdom during his more than four decades in the industry.

The conference lineup is equally diverse and rewarding.  “The Harrah’s Roundtable” will feature a panel of senior Harrah’s marketing executives discussing that market leader’s success. Two separate sessions titled “Gaming Across North America: Regional Marketing Reports,” will feature 15 different gaming executives discussing marketing trends and innovations in their respective regions. Other panels include discussions on customer service, advertising, cutting-edge marketing technology and corporate marketing. And Raving President Dennis Conrad will unveil his seventh annual “Best (And Worst) Casino Promotions of the Year” list.

Several hundred top marketing professionals from across the country and Canada, representing commercial, tribal, local and mega-casinos, are expected at this inaugural event. This marks the second partnership between Reno-based Raving Consulting and Ascend Media Gaming Group, the gaming industry’s business-to-business media leader. The two teamed up in February to present the highly successful Northern Nevada Gaming Summit in Reno.

Registration is now open. View the full lineup and register online at http://www.casinomarketing2004.com. Save $100 by registering no later than July 2.

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Media information and registration contact Stephen Gibbs, Ascend Media Gaming Group marketing manager, 913-344-1334, sgibbs@ascendmedia.com