Call For Papers

The call for papers for the 2025 Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention / DigitalPlay Summit is now open and we invite you to submit a proposal if you are interested in speaking at next year's show - March 31 - April 3, 2025 at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, CA.

The theme, "The Future of Indian Gaming: The Next Chapter," reflects a pivotal moment for the tribal gaming industry as it navigates an era of rapid change and innovation. This conference will explore how emerging technologies, evolving regulatory landscapes, and shifting market dynamics are reshaping the future of Indian gaming. As we look to the next chapter, we aim to highlight the opportunities and challenges facing tribal casinos and gaming operations, emphasizing the importance of adaptability, resilience, and strategic foresight in sustaining growth and preserving tribal sovereignty. 

Our mission for the 2025 Tradeshow & Convention is to explore the evolving landscape of tribal gaming and focus on the dynamic advancements shaping the future of the industry. We are particularly interested in submissions that address interactive wagering, technology innovations, regulatory changes, and economic impacts. The final agenda tracks will be curated and finalized by the Conference Chair, Victor Rocha.

Submit Your Proposal

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: January 10, 2025

1. Casino and Gaming Operations: 
   Exploration of best practices, strategies, and challenges in managing casino and other gaming facilities effectively. Topics could include operations management, customer service, equipment maintenance, and floor layout optimization.
    
2. Interactive Wagering:
   A deep dive into the digital betting realm including online casinos, sports betting, and iGaming platforms. This could cover trends, technologies, operational challenges, and customer engagement strategies in the interactive wagering space. 
    
3. Regulatory and Compliance:
   Examination of the legal framework, regulatory updates, and compliance measures essential for tribal gaming operations. Discussions on adherence to federal, state, and tribal gaming laws, audits, and compliance training are encouraged. 
    
4. Marketing & Player Development: 
   Innovative approaches to marketing, advertising, player acquisition, and retention in the gaming industry. This could encompass loyalty programs, customer relations, digital marketing strategies, and player experience enhancements.
    
5. Technology & Innovation:
   Discussion on leveraging new technologies to enhance gaming operations, improve security, or create novel gaming experiences. Topics might include digital payments, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and other tech-driven advancements.
    
6. Emerging Trends:
   Examination of new and evolving trends shaping the tribal gaming industry, including discussions on emerging markets, shifting consumer behaviors, and potential future industry evolutions.
    
7. Economics Impact & Development: 
   A look into the economic contributions of tribal gaming to local and national economies, and how tribes can foster economic growth and community development through gaming operations and other ventures.
    
8. Legal & Tribal Sovereignty: 
   Discussions on legal matters pertinent to tribal gaming, including tribal sovereignty, gaming compacts, jurisdictional issues, and legal challenges facing tribal gaming operations.
    
9. Security & Surveillance:
   Addressing the vital areas of security, surveillance, and risk management in gaming operations. Topics could cover physical security measures, cybersecurity, surveillance technologies, and emergency preparedness.

Submit Your Proposal

October 17, 2024: Call for Papers Opens

January 10, 2024: Call for Papers Closes

January 15, 2025: Proposal Status Notifications

March 31 - April 3, 2025: Dates of Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention/ DigitalPlay Summit

Session Length: All sessions are slated for a duration of 50 minutes.

Preferred Format: We highly encourage panel discussions as they foster a dynamic exchange of ideas and perspectives. While solo presentations are also accepted, panel discussions are preferred.

Combining Submissions: In instances where multiple submissions share a thematic resemblance or complementary insights, we reserve the right to combine them into a single panel discussion to ensure a broader spectrum of viewpoints and a more enriching discussion.

Other Guidelines: Please ensure that your submission is tailored to the tribal gaming industry and aligns with one of the categories listed in the Call for Papers. Subjects such as Casino Operations, Sports Betting, iGaiming, Digital Payments, and Esports are of particular interest and align well with the categories outlined for this convention. Please note that the Indian Gaming Association (IGA) does not cover travel or lodging costs for speakers.

The submission deadline is December 15, 2024. All proposals must be received electronically through the online submission process. You must submit a brief description of the topic, a tentative title for the session, and the names and affiliations of all panelists. Proposals submitted by any other means, including verbally or via email, will not be considered.

When you first submit, you will be required to set up a Speaker Account, which you will use to submit, modify, or withdraw proposals.

Submitters will be notified of acceptance or rejection via email by January 15, 2025. 

The system will generate an automatic email to confirm receipt of your proposal. If after submitting your proposal, you do not receive this email, it is likely that your submission did not make it into the system. In this case, you are encouraged to contact Lisa Johnson at lisa.johnson@clarionevents.com.

Submission Does Not Guarantee Acceptance: Please note that submitting a proposal does not guarantee acceptance. The final selection of sessions is at the sole discretion of the Conference Chair Victor Rocha, and will aim to ensure a balanced and diverse conference program.

The Indian Gaming Association strives to provide substantive, relevant, and valuable training to conference attendees. Absolutely NO product or service promotion is permitted under the heading of a conference session. If you are looking for opportunities to promote your product or service, please contact Ed Gallo, Director of Sales and Attendee Programs, at edward.gallo@clarionevents.com or 203-521-2538.

Proposed educational content is evaluated according to the following criteria: 

• Relevance to Indian Gaming, particularly regarding expanding tribal economic development opportunity and/or addressing future trends in the industry.

• Subject Matter Expertise: In the case of multiple submissions on the same topic, preference will be given to whomsoever has the greater expertise; otherwise, the conference committee may request the proposals be combined into a single session.

• Presentation Type: We aim to provide a variety of presentation formats in order to allow for the greatest diversity of perspectives and to be as engaging as possible while being instructive to our attendees. Although single-presenter sessions are welcome, greater favor is typically given to interactive workshop sessions and panel presentations that incorporate multiple perspectives particularly the perspectives of tribal operators. 

• Membership: Priority is given to submissions from IGA Tribal Membership, IGA Associate Membership, Tradeshow Exhibitors, and Event Sponsors. 

In the interest of providing well-balanced and substantive training, we reserve the right to accept or deny proposals in part or full, as deemed necessary. 

Submit Your Proposal