April 4, 2003 – "New Technologies: New Rules" is the theme of the 5th annual Caribbean Gaming and Hospitality Conference, set for June 10-11 at the Caribe Hilton Hotel in San Juan.
"Technology is transforming the industry at such a rapid pace that we decided to focus most of our program on helping managers sharpen their technology I.Q.," says Bruce Smith, who is president of WestVille Enterprises, which is organizing the conference.
Luther Gordon Miller, director of finance and resource management for the Caribbean Tourism Organization, will be the keynote speaker. He is expected to analyze the state of tourism in the Caribbean in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks as well as the prospects for a turn-around in the region's tourism-based economy.
"Our members have shown remarkable creativity in addressing a new set of global economic realities," Miller says. "We are already starting to see positive outcomes not only in terms of tourism expenditures, but in investment monies entering the region. Long term, our prognosis is quite favorable, but it will require significant cooperation among all players."
According to Smith, "After two soft seasons, Caribbean gaming hospitality interests took an aggressive position in favor of growth and business development. Luther will recap these efforts and demonstrate their current and projected impact."
Exhibits will feature the latest gaming and hospitality equipment.
Information will be available on downloadable games, wireless technologies for instant data retrieval, advanced microchip-based devices that monitor wagers and wins in real time, and the latest slot machine innovations.
The membership of CTO, based in Barbados, comprises 32 Caribbean governments and six regional institutions including three regional tourism organizations. The CTO collaborates with such international agencies as the World Bank, the U.S. Agency for International Development, the European Union and the Organization of American States.
The annual gaming and hospitality gathering "is the only industry forum and exchange of its kind for operators in the Caribbean, Central and South America," a release states.
All sessions offer simultaneous English-Spanish translation.
Check out the Caribbean Gaming Web site for more information and for online conference and hotel registration.
For further information, contact Smith by e-mailing to Bruce Smith, calling (914) 337-1246 or faxing to (914) 337-1147.
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