by Sheila Morago
It’s hard to believe that it was just a few weeks ago that almost 3,000 people representing every facet of the tribal gaming industry were gathered in sunny downtown Oklahoma City. It’s equally hard to believe that we are only about ten months away from the 2025 Conference and Trade Show, which will be held July 14-16, back in Oklahoma City, where we will have a few surprises up our sleeves.
Folks who attended the 2024 Conference and Trade Show can attest: Our networking events were lively, conference sessions were packed and the trade show floor was among the largest we’ve seen in our 29-year history.
The annual John Marley Scholarship Foundation Golf Tournament took place on Monday morning and drew a sold-out crowd to Oklahoma City’s Lincoln Park Golf Course where we enjoyed a hearty breakfast, complete with Mimosas and Bloody Marys, before hitting the links. A great time was definitely had by all and we appreciate our generous sponsors and teams for helping us generate scholarship funds.
During the walk-around lunch and awards ceremony on the first day, we bestowed Chairman’s Awards and Modern Day Warrior Awards to an exceptional group of people. Chairman’s Awards went to Edward Gray, General Manager of Osage Casinos; Carlie Moreland, Surveillance Trainer, Office of Public Gaming for Muscogee (Creek) Nation; and Jeannie Hovland, Vice Chair, National Indian Gaming Commission. Modern Day Warrior Awards recipients were Stacy Sullivan, Account Executive, Secretary/Treasurer, Sullivan Insurance Agency; Bubba Fernandez, Senior Vice President, Financial Equipment Company; and Matthew Robinson, Owner, KlasRobinson Q.E.D.
John Marley Scholarships were also awarded during the ceremony. High school recipients were Haley Brenna Teter, Kinsley BrayAnn Scrivner and Shanell Cochrane. Scholarship recipients already in college were Trinity Margan Webb, Brant Garrette Walker, Kourtnie Jo Siler, Maren Estelle Johnson and Rylie Dawn Hurley. Adult student recipients were Shelly Nealy and Niki Lee Osburn.
As we begin to plan for next year, we do so with gratitude. The tribal gaming industry in Oklahoma is strong. In fact, it’s been a record year. More than $202 million in tribal gaming exclusivity fees were paid to the State of Oklahoma in fiscal year 2023, according to the Oklahoma Gaming Compliance Unit Annual Report. That’s an increase of 5.6 percent over 2022.
Many people have had a direct hand in the success of our industry. When tribal gaming is doing well, tribal governments are doing well. And when tribal governments are doing well, they contribute to the well-being of their communities – through job creation, infrastructure improvements, contributions to education and non-profits, and so much more.
Sheila Morago is Trade Show Coordinator for the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association and CEO of Trilogy Group. She can be reached by calling (405) 818-7462 or email [email protected].
