February 15, 2008

Pix of the 2008 WIGC

Pictures of my recent trip to Palm Springs for the 13th annual Western Indian Gaming Conference:

WIGC--Feb. 12, 2008
WIGC--Feb. 13, 2008
WIGC--Feb. 14, 2008

Plus the best anecdote overheard at WIGC: It seems a consultant enthusiastically presented her plan for a Columbus Day promotion to a gaming tribe. Apparently it involved hunting for a treasure chest or something like that.

The Indians coolly informed her: "We do not celebrate Columbus Day." Her response: "Now you do!"

Whoa. Talk about clueless...!

Apparently the Indians elaborated that they don't honor the man who raped and pillaged their ancestors. Whereupon the consultant blushed and apologized. I don't know if she's still working for the tribe, but I doubt it.

For more on the WIGC, see my Pix of the 2007 WIGC.

Below:  "Brenda Soulliere, of the Cabazon Band of Mission Indians, and Richard Milanovich, chairman of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, share a laugh at the California Nations Indian Gaming Association Conference on Wednesday in Palm Springs." Soulliere is a friend; Milanovich probably would recognize me as the guy who works at PECHANGA.net.

4 comments:

writerfella said...

Writerfella here --
Now let's see a picture of WHO paid for such an attendance?
All Best
Russ Bates
'writerfella'

Rob said...

Who paid for my attendance? Either Victor Rocha got our booth space comped because we perform such a valuable service for Indian tribes, or he paid for it out of his own pocket.

Either way, it isn't much of a benefit to us. Attendees are looking for goods and services to use in their casinos, not a free news service like ours.

Besides, most of the attendees already know about PECHANGA.net. We might be better off handing out flyers or running an ad than paying for a booth.

writerfella said...

Writerfella here --
writerfella only asked because he just had had an experience where he had a paid-for table in the dealers' room at an SF convention in Texas. It was a new situation and writerfella carefully had to examine it for income tax purposes. Should he report the value of the table, the value of his autograph and/or pictures, along with his appearance fees? His decision was yes, although he charged no one for his signature alone. The crowd was astounded, as they were accustomed to paying $5 - $20 or more for STAR TREK personalities. But, hey, writerfella knows that if you want to buy an autographed book he is SELLING, a premium is attached. But if you hand him a book that you bought elsewhere, the autograph is FREE! William Shatner may not appreciate such actions, but then again, he wasn't there! So, does Rob report such income matters on HIS income tax? Once again, just asking...
All Best
Russ Bates
'writerfella'

Rob said...

If the convention gave you a free table, I'd say it was a gift you don't have to report. But I could be wrong about that.

As for your autographs, how would they figure into your income? As a business expense? You gave away a $20 autograph for free, so you incurred a loss (expense) of $20? I don't think so.

If the WIGC gave PECHANGA.net a free booth, and it counted as taxable income, it would be the owner's responsibility to pay. As a mere employee, the arrangement between the WIGC and PECHANGA.net wouldn't affect me.