Largest ever gathering of Canadian gaming industry representatives to be held in Toronto April 25-27
National Economic Impact Study results unveiled/ Comedian Martin Short to headline opening gala
Toronto, April 20, 2007— More than 1250 members of Canada’s gaming industry are expected to converge on Toronto April 25-27 to attend the Canadian Gaming Summit, a three-day event consisting of over 40 workshops and seminars, 80 + exhibitors of gaming products and services, and a charity gala headlined by Canadian entertainer Martin Short. Attendees will represent all aspects of Canada’s gaming industry, including casinos, horseracing, bingo, lottery, charitable, gaming equipment suppliers, legal and financial professionals, First Nations representatives, security experts, and many others.
The centerpiece of the Summit will be the release April 26, 2007 of the first-ever National Economic Impact Study analyzing the economic importance of the country’s gaming industry in terms of direct spending, job creation and related revenues.
“The regulated gaming industry in Canada has grown significantly over the past decade, doubling in size to become a leading economic sector,” said Bill Rutsey, President of the Canadian Gaming Association (CGA), which is hosting the Summit.“We know that the gaming industry contributes billions annually to government programs and directly employs tens of thousands Canadians. But we want to know more about the impact within various communities.”
The national impact study will focus on employment, revenues generated for government, and other related impacts.It will include detail on the impact of specific gaming sectors (e.g., casino, lottery, etc.) regionally and nationally.The study is complied by HLT Advisory Inc., a leading provider of consulting and support services to the Canadian and international hospitality, leisure and tourism industries.
Other topics to be covered at the 11th annual Summit include corporate social responsibility, gaming security and integrity, regulation and oversight, entertainment and hospitality trends, E-lotteries, charitable gaming, growth in First Nations gaming, and many other areas. New this year, Summitorganizers have created a legal and financial component within the conference featuring the contribution of lawyers, in-house counsel, government agencies and regulators, compliance officers, senior executives, M&A specialists and gaming industry analysts.
Also new this year is a one-day focus on charitable gaming in Canada calledNew Horizons, conducted in partnership with the Ontario Charitable Gaming Association.Taking place April 25, the New Horizons conference will explore trends and directions in the country’s charitable gaming sector.
The Canadian Gaming Summit keynote address will be delivered by Frank Fahrenkopf, Jr., president and CEO of the American Gaming Association (AGA).Mr. Fahrenkopf will speak to the challenges and opportunities and facing the industry in North America and worldwide.
New for 2007 is a charity gala to present the Canadian Gaming Industry Awards. The beneficiary for 2007 is Variety – The Children’s Charity,recognized around the world as a leader in helping young children overcome disabilities and other barriers through integrated sports and life skills programs. Comedian Martin Short (SNL, SCTV) will headline the gala, April 26.
“Last year’s conference in Vancouver surpassed our expectations with a 50 per cent increase in attendance over previous years,” said Mr. Rutsey. “We are looking forward to another record turnout in Toronto, in keeping with the growing awareness of the importance of the gaming sector both economically and socially.”
The Canadian Gaming Summit is Canada’s preeminent annual gaming industry event, co-owned by and produced in partnership with MediaEdge Communications Inc. MediaEdge is a privately held Canadian company with offices in Toronto, Winnipeg, Vancouver and Gainesville, providing a full range of publication, trade show and conference services across multiple markets.
The Canadian Gaming Association represents the gaming industry’s leading operators, manufacturers, suppliers and other stakeholders nation-wide. www.canadiangaming.ca
Complete information on the 2007 Canadian Gaming Summit can be found at www.canadiangamingsummit.com.
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Media contact:
Paul Burns, Vice President, Public Affairs
Canadian Gaming Association
44 Victoria Street, Suite 300
Toronto, ON M5C 1Y2
Direct: 416.304.6870
Cell:416.579.3922
[email protected]
