Featuring an unparalleled education track, Caribbean Gaming & Hospitality Conference 2002 will open this June in San Juan, Puerto Rico with a positive, aggressive response to the grave economic losses of the past six months linked to global recession and the terrorist attacks in the U.S.

According to Bruce R. Smith, founder of the annual business program, this year’s conference will help managers sharpen every tool in their survival kit, and acquire some new ones. “For a region that depends on the consumer`s willingness to travel and spend money,” says Smith, “we have to be aggressive in not only demanding safer air travel, but in developing individual marketing strategies that work. Thanks to our lineup of speakers and exhibitors, this year`s conference is going to do both.”

Now in its fourth year, the Caribbean Gaming and Hospitality Conference (previously the Caribbean Gaming and Tourism Conference) will return to the Caribe Hilton San Juan, June 11-12. Joining the dialogue will be a representative of a major U.S. carrier to detail the ongoing security steps carriers are taking to restore and maintain customer confidence. In addition, Smith expects the airline industry to outline ways gaming and hospitality interests can continue to improve their collaboration so that strong marketing partnerships can benefit both sides of the travel equation.

In response to two consecutive soft tourism seasons, the continued softness of the U.S. economy, and fallout from the events of September 11, casino and hospitality marketing will be a special focus of the conference. “Our speakers will preach ‘Reality Marketing 101’, ” notes Smith, “which is the only way the region will make it back to the top.” Smith has confirmed speakers from the regulatory and policymaking arena as well as security, resort marketing, and slot management. In addition, Smith has included sessions on disaster planning for hospitality property management executives, Web marketing for resorts, and casino basics for non-gaming executives.

Speakers to date include:
? Guillermo Cabret, Gaming Director, Puerto Rico Tourism Company
? Susan Sweeney, consultant and noted author of several Internet marketing books
? Eduardo DeVeer, Chairman, META Corp., Aruba
? Dr. Karina de la Oz Michel, Secretary, Casino Commission, the Dominican Republic
? Frederic E. Gushin, Spectrum Gaming Group
? Pierre Lapaque, Caribbean Financial Action Task Force
? Dean Macomber, Macomber International, Inc.
? James Maida, Gaming Laboratories International
? David Nichter, international security expert
? Eileen Peterson, Chairwoman, Virgin Islands Gaming Commission ? N. D. ‘Butch’ Witcher, Casino Creations and Design

All sessions will offer simultaneous English-Spanish translation. Exhibits will feature the latest gaming and hospitality equipment as well as information and other types of services. Aristocrat Technologies, Inc., Sydney, Australia, is once again the Conference`s Platinum Sponsor.

To ensure the widest attendance possible, WestVille Enterprises announced special discounts for pre-Early Bird registrants. In addition, attractive team discount rates are available to companies and government agencies signing up multiple registrants.

For program, registration, exhibitor, and sponsorship information on Caribbean Gaming & Hospitality Conference 2002, contact Bruce Smith at 914-337-1246; 914-337-1147 fax.

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