NIGA 2010 (Day 1)

I'm in San Diego Wednesday through Friday for the annual National Indian Gaming Association convention. Here's what's happening:

NIGA:  Bringing leadership together to serve Indian country

By Gale Courey ToensingDespite a recession that has battered the national economy, including a big hit on Indian gaming, the National Indian Gaming Association expects one of its largest turnouts at Indian Gaming 2010, the most comprehensive Indian gaming trade show and convention in the country.

“I never in my lifetime thought we could top 5,000 people in our industry to come to San Diego, but that’s our estimate and we’re very excited about it,” said NIGA Chairman Ernie Stevens Jr.

Indian Gaming 2010 will take place at the San Diego Convention Center April 6–9.

The trade show and convention features four full days of training, workshops, membership meetings, breakout sessions, networking and business opportunities, award ceremonies and a massive gaming trade show--and three full nights of receptions, banquets, music and entertainment.Comment:  This afternoon Victor Rocha and I checked into the Horton Grand Hotel, which is haunted, in downtown San Diego. We drove over to the Convention Center and set up our booth. On the way out we saw Stacey Thunder and got hugs from her.

We returned to the hotel and Victor rested while I took pictures around the property. We went out to dinner at the nearby Fred's Mexican Cafe, which was okay. Victor drove back to Temecula to work at home while I chilled out in the haunted hotel.

For more on the subject, see Pix of NIGA 2009 and The Facts About Indian Gaming.

Below:  "Ernie Stevens Jr., chairman of the National Indian Gaming Association, opens the trade show each year at NIGA’s annual Indian Gaming Conference & Trade Show. It is the only gaming conference that deals strictly with Indian gaming. More than 5,000 people are expected to attend." (Gale Courey Toensing/Indian Country Today)