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BILOXI, Miss. (August 31,
2006) — The fast-paced recovery of the Gulf Coast gaming industry
will result in a strong return for the Southern Gaming Summit to
Biloxi next May, according to The Mississippi Casino Operators
Association and Ascend Media Gaming Group, the show organizers.
One year after the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina, eight of
the region's 12 casinos have re-opened, and gaming revenues are
approaching 75% of pre-storm levels. The decision to rebuild casinos
on-shore has helped attract $5 billion in new investment capital to
the Gulf Coast gaming industry, which is again serving as the
region's economic engine.
The robust recovery of the gaming industry on the Mississippi Gulf
Coast has helped the Summit sell 80% of available floor space to
date, and exhibition space is well on the way to selling out, said
Beverly Martin, Executive Director, Mississippi Casino Operators
Association. The Southern Gaming Summit will be held next May 9-10
at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum and Convention Center. The
facility was unavailable for this year's meeting, which was held in
Tunica County.
"Gaming on the Gulf Coast has bounced back quicker than
anticipated," said Martin. "We're already seeing some of the casino
revenue that moved out of state after the storm come back to the
Gulf, and we expect that trend to grow. The Southern Gaming Summit
next May will showcase the renewal of gaming here, and give our
exhibitors and sponsors the opportunity to interact with what
figures to be the fastest growing gaming market in the country."
The Southern Gaming Summit, entering its 14th year, is the largest
regional gaming trade show and conference in the country.
About the producers:
Mississippi Casino Operators Association is the official trade
association of Mississippi's gaming industry. Consisting of 27
member companies, including 12 casino operators, the MCOA was
chartered in 1993 and is located in Biloxi, Miss.
Ascend Media Gaming Group (http://www.ascendgaming.com)
is the leading producer of trade magazines, newsletters and trade
shows serving the gaming industry worldwide. Publications include
IGWB, Casino Journal, Slot Manager and Indian Gaming Business.
Ascend produces the Southern Gaming Summit, Bingo World, New York
Gaming Summit, and Casino Marketing, among others.
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