Third Annual Tribal Casino & Hotel Development Conference: Master Planning, Design & Construction

Tuesday - February 16, 2010
3:30 PM - 4:15 PM	Pre-Conference Financial & Legal Terminology Workshop
This pre-conference workshop is being offered on a complimentary basis to all Tribal Leaders registered for the conference, providing a solid foundation from which to draw upon more complex topics addressed during the conference itself. It will cover fundamental financial and legal terminology, and look at the key players infolved in various transactions. Panelist: Tuari Bigknife, Deputy General Counsel, Viejas Band of Kumeyaay IndiansRochanne Hackett, Director of National Gaming Development, Wells Fargo Gaming Division
4:15 PM - 5:00 PM	Pre-Conference Design & Construction Terminology Workshop
In producing this year's agenda, with the help of our Advisory Board, Native Nation Events has identified several topics that we would like to present in this introductory workshop. The workshop is essential to provide valuable information on many of the topics that will be covered throughout the conference such as terminology, acronyms, procedures & guidelines, and understanding the timeline and what to expect when entering into a project. Native Nation Events understands the importance of having Tribal Leaders bring back this valuable information to their Tribe in order to build wealth and prosperity for the future. This workshop is a primer open to all our registered Tribal Leaders. Panelist: Brett Ewing, Partner, Thalden Boyd Emery ArchitectsWayne Hickey, CEO, ROEL Construction
Wednesday - February 17, 2010
7:45 AM - 8:45 AM	Registration/Continental Breakfast in Exhibit Hall
8:45 AM - 9:00 AM	Opening Prayer & Chairman's Remarks
Marc Macarro, Chairman, Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians Conference Co-Chair: Rochanne Hackett, Director of National Gaming Development, Wells Fargo Gaming Division
9:00 AM - 9:20 AM	Keynote Address
Keynote Speaker: Paula Hart, Director of the Office of Indian Gaming, US Department of the Interior
9:20 AM - 9:30 AM	White Earth Ojibwe Tribal Mission Video Presentation
9:30 AM - 10:45 AM	Working in Indian Country: Both Tribal and Professional Perspectives
For years Tribal Leaders and non-Tribal professionals have worked together to build many vital projects in Indian Country. Over the past few years, we have seen more and more companies who are interested in working with Tribes. This rountable discussion will lead off our conference and provide different perspectives from both Tribal Leaders and the most well known professionals in the industry. What are Tribal Leaders looking for when hiring? What do non-native owned companies need to know when working with a Tribe? What are each other's expectations going into a partnership? How can working with a Tribe be different from working with other clients? Moderator: Rochanne Hackett, Director of National Gaming Development, Wells Fargo Gaming Division Panelist: Michael Burgess, Chairman, Comanche NationJeff Ehret, President, PENTA Building GroupLeRoy N. Shingoitewa, Chairman, Hopi TribeChad Smith, Principal Chief, Cherokee NationJoshua Weston, President, Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe
10:45 AM - 11:15 AM	Morning Break / Networking Opportunity in Exhibit Hall
11:15 AM - 11:30 AM	Tribal Gaming Outlook for 2010
Panelist: Dennis Farrell, Senior Analyst, High Yield Research Department, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM	Economic Recovery & New Growth in Indian Country
Coming off a poor 2009, there are signs of moderate growth in the market for 2010, and even greater recovery and new growth in 2011. With the end of the recession in sight, on what should Tribes focus to work through market turmoil when it comes to planning, cost containment, service & marketing? Moderator: James Klas, Founder & Principal, KlasRobinson Q.E.D., Inc. Panelist: Leonard Bowman, Chairman, Bear River Band of the Rohnerville RancheriaLouis Manuel, Jr., Chairman, Ak-Chin Indian CommunitySar Richards, General Manager of Casino, Chinook WindsTom Wucherer, Principal, YWS Architects
12:30 PM - 1:45 PM	Buffet Lunch / Networking in Exhibit Hall
1:45 PM - 2:30 PM	How will Online Gaming Impact Tribal-Owned Gaming Operations
It is widely estimated that online gaming tax revenues will add as much as $42 billion to US coffers over the next 10 years, compared to the $8 billion that has been delivered over the past 21 years from Tribal-owned gaming operations since the inception of the 1988 Indian Gaming Act. Tribal Leaders have expressed great concern on the effect this could have on revenues as well as the 600,000 jobs Tribal gaming has created nationally. What is Washington, DC doing to ensure the much needed revenue Tribes derive from gaming is protected? Moderator: Rochanne Hackett, Director of National Gaming Development, Wells Fargo Gaming Division Panelist: Michael Lombardico, Chairman, Augustine Gaming CommissionRobert Martin, Chairman, Morongo Band of Mission IndiansI. Nelson Rose, Senior Professor, Whitter Law School
2:30 PM - 3:00 PM	Afternoon Break / Networking in Exhibit Hall
3:00 PM - 3:45 PM	An Update: Union Management Relations In Indian Country
Union organizing among Indian Country employers has been a major topic since the decision of the National Labor Relations Board in San Manuel Indian Bingo & Casino. This panel will include representatives of management, organized labor and the National Labor Relations Board to discuss their different perspectives of this ongoing process. Moderator: Scott Wilson, Principal, Law Office of Scott A. Wilson Panelist: Tony Chartrand, Vice President of Human Resources, Pechanga Resort & CasinoEnrique Fernandez, International Vice President/Business Manager, Unite Here Local 19James Small, Regional Director, National Labor Relations Board, Region 21
3:45 PM - 4:45 PM	Wanted: Sound Financing Vehicles for Tribal Casino & Hotel Development
In recent years, as the US slipped into its current recession, high yield capital has all but gone away. As the recession lifts and bankers and private equity firms reemerge, what are the new guidelines for lending? In the wake of several defaults, investors now require much greater transparency, while lenders demand more stability within the Tribal governments-which traditionally demonstrate high turnover-and the executives running the operations. How far are Tribal Leaders willing to go to get deals done? How important is a credit rating? With $1.4 trillion of high yield debt needing to be refinanced in the next three years, how will Tribes compete in what will be a very crowded market? What roles can more affluent Tribes play in helping other Tribes secure financing or credit enhancements? What is the current situation with Tribal Economic Development Bonds and what projects can they be used for? Moderator: Duane Bouligny, Senior Vice President and Loan Syndications Regional Manager, Wells Fargo Gaming Division Panelist: Barry Thalden, Partner, Thalden Boyd Emery ArchitectsRobert Winter, CEO, Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprises
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM	Cocktail Reception in Eagle's Nest hosted by Native Nation Events and a Meet & Greet with Felton Newell, US House of Representatives Congressional Candidate, and Principal Chief Chad Smith of Cherokee Nation
Thursday - February 18, 2010
7:45 AM - 8:45 AM	Registration/Continental Breakfast in Exhibit Hall
8:45 AM - 9:45 AM	Master Planning and Long-Term Goals
A common issue in Indian Country is that most Tribes do not have a master plan. A long-term master plan provides a roadmap for the Tribe. Whether your reservation has 300 or 3 million acres, it is crucial to have a comprehensive land master plan to avoid costly mistakes in the future. The professionals who conduct master plans help to identify economic development opportunities for Tribes on their reservations. This panel will cover why you need one, what is entailed and how your Tribe can benefit. It will also identify the key professionals needed in each stage of planning and development. Moderator: Jonathan Douglas, Managing Principal, VOA Associates, Inc. Panelist: Raymond Brenny, Chief Operating Officer, Red Lake-Seven Clans CasinoBrian Fagerstrom, President, Worth Group ArchitectsChris Lee, Principal, FORMA CompaniesRobert Mele, Vice Chairman, Seneca Gaming CorporationDerrick Watchman, Chief Financial Officer, Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprises
9:45 AM - 10:30 AM	Designing and Building Golf Courses on Native Land
As golf becomes more popular and people want high quality for less cost, how are Tribal-owned facilities coping? What added value can a golf course bring to an established hotel and casino? This panel will feature top designers and contractors as well as highlight recently completed projects and the successes they have achieved. Moderator: Jim Simonini, Director of Business Development, Robert Trent Jones II Panelist: Raf De Guevara, Manager of Intergovernmental Affairs, West Bank First NationJohn Palinkas, President, Pechanga Development Corp.Jason Payne, Managing Partner, Turf Solutions Group LLC
10:30 AM - 10:45 AM	Morning Break / Networking Opportunity in Exhibit Hall
10:45 AM - 11:45 AM	Success Stories: The Quechan Casino Resort
The early integrated working relationship between the Owner, Architect and Builder allowed for concentrated team focus to implement cost control measures, design coordination, and value-added engineering solutions with a complex mixed use building type resulting in a successful project, completed ahead of schedule and under budget. Moderator: Brent Hughes, Senior Project Manager, ROEL Constuction Panelist: Brad Friedmutter, Founder & CEO, Friedmutter GroupBrian Golding, Economic Development Specialist, Quechan TribeMike Jackson, President, Quechan TribeSteven Jones, Senior Director, Project Management SW Region, Cumming Corporation
11:45 AM - 12:30 PM	Hotel & Casino Design for the Times
We are entering into uncharted waters when it comes to money being available for projects. Given this situation, how are projects being implemented differently than before? What pre-design services are available to help cut cost without giving up quality? How are architects and contractors meeting client expectations on tighter budgets? What works and what are some design options to getting a project done? Moderator: Angela O'Byrne, President, Perez APC Panelist: Chief Boyd, Partner, Thalden Boyd Emery ArchitectsChris Devers, Chairman, Pauma Band of Mission IndiansLaura Spurr, Chairperson, Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM	Buffet Lunch / Networking in Exhibit Hall
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM	Project Delivery Methods
As demand to be on time and within budget continues to grow, so does the way projects are being developed. When it comes to project delivery, commonly used words are integrated, modeling, and partnering. What is some of the latest technology that assists professionals in delivering, meeting and exceeding Tribal expectations. Moderator: David S. Alexander, Principal Owner, Poggemeyer Design Group, Inc. Panelist: Blake Anderson, Senior Vice President, PENTA Building GroupRob Donnels, Executive Director of Construction, Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla IndiansCharles Gossage, Executive Vice President, Stronghold EngineeringM. Andrew Rodrigues, President, Delawie Wilkes Rodrigues Barker
2:30 PM - 2:45 PM	Afternoon Break / Networking in Exhibit Hall
2:45 PM - 3:45 PM	Expansion and Renovation to Stay Competitive in a Difficult Market
Since 1988 we have seen hundreds of hotels and casinos built on reservations across the country. What are some of the latest techniques being used to maximize the current space without adding square footage? When larger is better, how do you expand and what should be first and foremost in your mind when deciding to expand? As your existing property starts to become outdated, what are the key areas needing restoration to stay competitive and maximize revenue? Moderator: Wayne Hickey, CEO, ROEL Construction Panelist: Gary George, Chief Operating Officer, Wildhorse Casino & ResortConrad Granito, General Manager, Coushatta Casino & ResortNorma Moss, Chair of Tribal Casino Gaming Enterprise, Eastern Band of Cherokee IndiansScott Sirois, CEO, Desert Diamond Casino
3:45 PM - 4:15 PM	Shedding Light on Lighting: How to Save Costs and Conserve Energy
This panel will discuss new advances in lighting technology and the impact lighting can have on hotel or casino projects. Panelists will discuss what to look for when developing a lighting specification and how to ensure desired results. The audience will come away with a better understanding of lighting technology and be able to ask some fundamental questions that will not only save money in the long term, but will also contribute to their energy conservation efforts. Garrett Grega, Product Manager, Philips Lighting Co.
4:15 PM - 5:00 PM	Building Green
Native America has always taken the lead when it comes to preserving Mother Earth. This panel will feature professionals who use the latest technology when building to maximize savings while protecting the environment and natural resources. What is green building? What are the latest projects that will allow for self-sustainability? What are the initial costs involved? Will paying a premium save in the long run? Moderator: Matt Brown, Partner, The Nassal Company Panelist: Matt Franklin, Chairman, Ione Band of Miwok IndiansMark Moore, President, Solar Utilities Network, LLC
5:00 PM - 5:45 PM	Wine & Cheese Reception