Canadian gaming industry representatives to gather in Montreal April 29-May 1

    TORONTO, April 29 /CNW/ - More than 1,200 members of Canada's gaming
industry are expected to converge on Montreal over the next three days (April
29-May 1) to attend the Canadian Gaming Summit.
    The Summit is a three-day event consisting of over 40 workshops and
seminars, more than 100 exhibitors of gaming products and services, and a
charity awards gala.
    "This is a unique opportunity to come together and discuss the
opportunities and challenges shaping our industry today," said Bill Rutsey,
President and CEO of the Canadian Gaming Association (CGA), which is hosting
the Summit. "The recently released National Economic Impact Study confirms
that gaming is the country's largest and most economically significant
entertainment industry."
    Attendees will represent all aspects of Canada's gaming industry,
including casinos, horseracing, bingo, lottery, charitable, gaming equipment
suppliers, legal and financial professionals, First Nations representatives,
security experts, and many others.
    Keynote speakers are Gary Loveman, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and
President of Harrah's Entertainment, (April 30) and Allan Gregg, Chairman of
Harris/Decima (April 29).
    Other topics to be covered at the 12th annual Summit include amenities
and entertainment in gaming, responsible gambling, security and surveillance,
employee recruitment and retention, public opinion research, First Nations
gaming, the role of technology in the sector, and many other areas.
    New this year is the Standardbred Wagering Conference, the only event of
its kind in North America to deal solely with the issue of Standardbred horse
wagering. The 2008 Summit includes a one-day focus on charitable gaming in
Canada called Our Changing Landscape, conducted in partnership with the
Ontario Charitable Gaming Association and sponsored by Loto-Quebec. Taking
place April 29, the conference will explore trends and directions in the
country's charitable gaming sector.
    In addition, the Summit features the annual meeting of the Canadian
Association of Casino Security Directors, and a Legal and Regulatory Program.
    The Summit will conclude with a charity gala to present the Canadian
Gaming Industry Awards (May 1). The beneficiary for 2008 is Quebec Cancer
Foundation, dedicated to improving "the quality of life of people with cancer
and their loved ones through lodging, information and support services."
    "We are looking forward to another productive conference in Montreal,"
said Mr. Rutsey. "We've got a full and robust agenda that includes the trends,
challenges and ideas that are important to Canada's gaming sector both
economically and socially."

    The Canadian Gaming Summit is Canada's preeminent annual gaming industry
event, co-owned by and produced in partnership with MediaEdge Communications
Inc. MediaEdge is a privately held Canadian company with offices in Toronto,
Winnipeg, Vancouver and Gainesville, providing a full range of publication,
trade show and conference services across multiple markets.

    The Canadian Gaming Association represents the gaming industry's leading
operators, manufacturers, suppliers and other stakeholders nation-wide.
www.canadiangaming.ca

    Complete information on the 2008 Canadian Gaming Summit can be found at
www.canadiangamingsummit.com.

For further information: Media contact: Paul Burns, Vice President,
Public Affairs, Canadian Gaming Association, 44 Victoria Street, Suite 300,
Toronto, ON M5C 1Y2, Direct: (416) 304-6870, Cell: (416) 579-3922,
pburns@canadiangaming.ca