Succession Planning in the Gaming Industry: Master Plan for Turnover and Longevity Room: N108 ~ 9:15 am - 10:15 am (Tuesday, November 18, 2008)
Buildings are built to last for 30 years or more. Why not be the architect of an organization that is built to last? Experts will discuss how to create a sustainable employee and organizational plan that will survive competitive challenges, deter and mitigate turnover, and create an employee work environment whose centrifugal force retains the best employees at all levels because it makes them want to stay and excel.
SIGNATURE SERIES: Strange Bedfellows: Labor Relations and Gaming Management Room: N108 ~ 11:45 am - 12:45 pm (Tuesday, November 18, 2008)
While the key competencies necessary to lead and manage a union or non-union workforce are essentially the same, there are some unique and sensitive differences under a collective bargaining agreement. This session will outline how to create a proactive training and development strategy to help your games managers and supervisors be prepared for this change.
Don Buzney - Executive Director of Administration, Mount Airy Casino Resort
Lynn Handler - Vice President & Corporate Counsel, Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.
D. Taylor - Secretary & Treasurer, Culinary Workers Union, Local 226
The People Factor: How to Manage Your Human Capital to Achieve a Competitive Advantage Room: N108 ~ 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm (Tuesday, November 18, 2008)
Capital is currently tight and expensive. Marketing programs are stale and repetitive. The time is right to refocus on our human capital, the point at which our business touches our customers. Learn how to recruit, orientate, train, supervise, lead and motivate your employees at all levels as well as how to leverage them as marketing tools. The Industry's next defining value differentiator may be right in front of our eyes. The importance of workforce diversity as an essential ingredient to the company's overall financial success in the 21st century also will be discussed.
Moderator:
Mona Vaccarella - Vice President of Human Resources, Consulting for Casino Executive Search, and a Partner at Casino Careers Online
Cecilia Ieong - Managing Director, Biglot Resource Development Ltd.
Happy Campers: The Importance of Employee Satisfaction and Morale Room: N108 ~ 3:15 pm - 4:15 pm (Tuesday, November 18, 2008)
In today's economy, job cuts are practically as common as gas price hikes. How do you keep your employees' morale high when they see unemployment on the rise and layoffs happening around them? And when that's not a concern, how do you keep productive employees happy? Do you reward employees who go the extra mile? This session will discuss the importance of job satisfaction and employee morale in general, as well as the implementation of rewards programs that will get the most from your employees. Learn how employee satisfaction truly impacts customer experience and financial performance.
Nancy Myshko - Senior Vice President, Human Resources, Delaware Park Racetrack, Slots, & Golf
Peter Woolley - Professor of Comparative Politics, Fairleigh Dickinson University
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
All for One: Building Executive Teams Room: N108 ~ 9:15 am - 10:15 am (Wednesday, November 19, 2008)
Putting together the right management team can shape your future casino's success and profitability. This session will explain the importance of recruiting, evaluating talent, considering organizational structure and operation style, and navigating through the waters of corporate or tribal management in constructing a winning group.
Moderator:
Marc Weiswasser - Senior Vice President, CasinoRecruiter.com
Speaker:
Kathryn A. Moore - Corporate Vice President Human Resources, M Resort & Marnell Sher Gaming
Cass Palmer - Corporate Vice President of Human Resources, Tropicana Entertainment
Humberto Trueba - Senior Vice President of Human Resources, Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.
Rules of Engagement: More Than Lip Service Room: N108 ~ 11:45 am - 12:45 pm (Wednesday, November 19, 2008)
Many organizations in the gaming industry are realizing that the war for talent isn't just between companies, but also between employees and how engaged they are with their work. Engaged employees are passionate, energetic and driven employees, who will deliver better service to the customer and, therefore, better results to your bottom line. At this panel discussion, industry experts and speakers from the G2E Leadership Academy will provide practical advice based on the hard facts of employee engagement and a thought-provoking gaming industry case-study. Attendees to the panel discussion are encouraged to bring their experiences, ideas and questions regarding employee engagement.
Moderator:
Bob Schwieterman - Vice President & General Manager, TRACOM Group
Speaker:
Harry Heck - Director of Team Member Relations, Station Casinos, Inc.
Kim Macdonald - Regional Director, Valtera Corporation
Carrie Messina - Vice President of Human Resources, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Vice President of Human Resources, West Coast Region, Morgans Hotel Group
Nancie O'Neill - Corporate Director of Organizational Development & Training, Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.
Marketing Talent: Hiring and Retaining for Marketing Excellence Room: N108 ~ 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm (Wednesday, November 19, 2008)
These days, senior casino marketing executives have an average employment lifecycle of 26 months. Limited resources and ambiguous expectations are two potential culprits of short tenures. What does it really take to attract and retain top talent in this business? Hear from HR experts in the industry as they discuss this hot topic.
Bob Gerst - Senior Vice President of Human Resources, Boyd Gaming Corporation
Glen Schostak - Senior Client Partner, Global Sector Leader, Travel/Hospitality/Leisure Practice, Korn Ferry International
Humberto Trueba - Senior Vice President of Human Resources, Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Ace in the Hole: A Formally Educated Gaming Workforce Room: N108 ~ 9:15 am - 10:15 am (Thursday, November 20, 2008)
Experience counts in the casino business, but formal higher education has begun to play an increasingly important role in preparing the gaming leaders of tomorrow. Experts will discuss which colleges and universities are introducing gaming-related courses and programs and how to recruit new talent from these institutions. They also will discuss the value of other degrees and majors in helping leaders broaden their perspective, as well as the growing number of continuing education programs available to current professionals who need to adapt to the changing times.
Moderator:
Marcus Diaz - Director of Training & Development, Casino del Sol
Speaker:
Jane Bokunewicz - Instructor/Assistant Professor, Stockton College of NJ
Gail Sammons, Ph.D. - Professor, Hotel Management Department, William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration, UNLV
Jim Wortman - Director, Gaming Education & Research Institute (GERI), University of Houston
Talent Management: Making Communication Effective Room: N108 ~ 11:45 am - 12:45 pm (Thursday, November 20, 2008)
Attracting and maintaining talent for your organization is one of the greatest challenges for top executives. This session will explain unique retention programs that promote keeping executives for the long term. Learn how effective communication can spur increased productivity, higher market value and shareholder returns, improved employee satisfaction and engagement, reduced turnover and more.
Moderator:
Donald Hoover - Recruitment Consultant, Casino Executive Search, LLC
Speaker:
Andre Barnabei - Vice President, Human Resources, Holdings Acquisition Co (Pittsburgh Casino)
Connie Mackay - Vice President of Human Resources, IP Casino Resort & Spa
Ron Vargas - Vice President of Human Resources, Cache Creek Casino Resort
Recommended Sessions
You may also find the following sessions of value if you are interested in this track:
HUMAN RESOURCES