Convergence of Gaming and Technology Focus of New Conference This Spring

New Gaming Technology Summit Slated for May 28-29

LAS VEGAS (Feb. 6, 2003) – GEM Communications and WhiteSand Consulting are teaming up to produce the new Gaming Technology Summit, May 28-29, 2003, at the Green Valley Ranch in Las Vegas. The conference addresses the critical role of technology throughout casino hotels and the demands it places on gaming professionals to learn new skills, integrate systems and make hardware and software investment decisions.

“Gaming operators are increasingly focused on growing profits internally through the strategic use of technology,” said Charles Anderer Vice President Group Publisher, GEM Communications, co-presenter of Gaming Technology Summit. “By partnering with a gaming IT strategy leader such as WhiteSand Consulting, we're confident that the Gaming Technology Summit will benefit a broad range of gaming constituencies. GEM is pleased to offer an event of such timely value to the industry.”

The Summit brings together gaming industry professionals to network, learn about new technologies and their applications in the industry, and confer about the successes and failures of these efforts, said Saverio R. Scheri III, Managing Director, WhiteSand Consulting, co-presenter of the conference.

“Attendees will hear from gaming and technology leaders from both within the gaming industry and from Fortune 500 corporations” said Scheri. “The Summit is unique among gaming conferences in that most sessions will be led by one or two knowledgeable professionals, allowing the presenters more time to delve deeper into issues and solutions than is possible with a more traditional speaker/panelist format.”

Gaming Technology Summit’s 21-seminar program will address technology in three tracks – strategy, operations and infrastructure – that will provide important information to IT professionals, gaming executives, and operation personnel from key areas including casino, hotel, marketing, human resources, food and beverage and finance.

A limited number of expo-style booths will be available to vendors in the Networking area, and several corporate sponsorship opportunities will be available.

Registration for Gaming Technology Summit will be available beginning February 17, at a special early-bird rate of $495 per person. Information about the new conference will be available in the March editions of IGWB and Casino Journal magazines, and is available online at www.gametechsummit.com.

About the producers

WhiteSand Consulting is a team of diversified, experienced and knowledgeable gaming veterans who also have significant consulting experience with firms such as KPMG, PricewaterhouseCoopers and Deloitte & Touche. Members of WhiteSand project teams have worked for casinos and hotels throughout the U.S. and Internationally, providing clients with a team that is intimately familiar with the intricacies unique to the gaming industry and casino operations. WhiteSand provides a wide array of consulting services, including IT assessments and strategy, project management, package selections, Internet strategy, financial projections, business planning, casino pre-opening consulting, acquisition due diligence, research and analysis, and marketing strategy consulting.  Some of WhiteSand’s recent clients include the Borgata, Hyatt Gaming and Microsoft.

GEM Communications is the leading producer of trade magazines, newsletters and trade shows serving the gaming industry around the world, and offers the only BPA-audited business-to-business gaming magazines in North America. GEM’s publications include IGWB, Casino Journal, Slot Manager, Indian Gaming Business, and the weekly National Gaming Summary. GEM produces leading trade shows Racing & Gaming Summit, Slot Manager Institute, American Gaming Summit, Bingo World, New York Gaming Summit and the 10th Annual Southern Gaming Summit. Learn more at www.gemcomm.com.

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Media contact Stephen Gibbs, GEM Director of Marketing, (913) 344-1300 x234; sgibbs@gemcomm.com

Exhibitors/sponsors contact Lesley Grashow, GEM Director of Trade Shows, (203) 938-2782; lgrashow@gemcomm.com

WhiteSand Consulting contact James Nickerson, Director, (609) 677-8253; jnickerson@WhiteSandConsulting.com