The Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association is having its annual conference in Tulsa, U.S.A. The OIGA Trade Show will have some of the biggest names in the gaming and hospitality industries. Affectionately touted as “the biggest little show in Indian Gaming” it is set to draw a crowd. From August 14 to 16, some 3,000 people will make their way to Tulsa this year.
Tulsa, Oklahoma will host the OIGA Conference and Trade Show in August this year.
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Who’s Running this Show?
The non-profit organization running the Trade Show is the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association (OIGA). It represents Indian Nations, tribes, and businesses that are involved in tribal gaming enterprises throughout Oklahoma. OIGA’s mission is to develop policies and practices that benefit Oklahoma Indian Tribes and their gaming enterprises. As a trade association, OIGA aims to educate and inform tribal, federal, and state governments, as well as the general public, on issues related to tribal government gaming.
Oklahoma has the second largest Native American population in the United States, behind only California. It is a rich and diverse heritage that is an important part of the state’s history, culture – and economy. Tribal Government Gaming in Oklahoma started decades ago with basic bingo halls in repurposed structures.
This has grown and evolved, and presently there are 35 Tribal Nations in Oklahoma that oversee over 130 gaming establishments including twenty casinos. These Tribal Government Gaming operations feature around 73,000 electronic games and around 5,500 bingo seats. OK Oklahoma is a natural choice for an annual gambling conference. It has hotels and resorts, boasting over 5,000 rooms, and almost 500,000 square feet of meeting, function, and entertainment areas.
But Tell Me About the Conference!
The upcoming Show will be held at Tulsa’s renowned “Cox Business Convention Center”. Monday, they will kick things off with a welcome reception and Poker/Blackjack Tournaments. Tuesday morning will feature a diverse range of sessions on Gambling and Hospitality. Then at noon, the Trade Show floor will open. Lunch will see the OIGA showcasing its awards and scholarship recipients with a more casual meal.
The final day of the Gaming Conference will offer even more sessions and fun on the Trade Show floor. The OIGA will host businesses and vendors from the gaming machine and casino equipment industry. This includes top hospitality professionals and food service suppliers. A smooth and competent hospitality service is essential for any gaming establishment. The latest in gaming technology will be on display.
Golfing and OIGA Awards
The day before the gaming conference begins each year a golf tournament is held. The tournament is a fundraiser and benefits the OIGA’s John Marley Scholarship Fund. Scholarships for the education of Staff and Oklahoma youth are a pillar of the organisation’s function. The Annual Golf Tournament enhances the already great networking opportunities of the conference.
The OIGA Conference and Trade Show also gives a chance to show off the organisation’s yearly award winners. The “Chairman’s Award” recognizes those who have served as positive examples of the benefits brought by the Tribal Government Gaming industry in Oklahoma. “The Modern Day Warrior Award” is a tribute to those defending the rights and sovereignty of the indigenous nations that make up the Indian Gaming Industry.
The OIGA Conference and Trade Show is set to be another success in 2023.
