Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 1, 2023)
NOVEMBER 1, 2023 Spirit Mountain executive is featured speaker at international gaming expo By Danielle Harrison Smoke Signals editor Spirit Mountain Chief Operating Ofocer Clint Johnson was a featured speaker at the recent Global Gaming Expo in Las Vegas, Nev., that ran from Saturday, Oct. 7, through Tuesday, Oct. 10. Held at The Venetian Expo Center, the annual conference attracts gaming industry professionals from all over the world. Johnson was a speaker on a panel re- garding ways vendors can form long-lasting partnerships with casinos. Clint Johnson Johnson has worked in the gaming indus- try for 34 years. His experience includes opening a new casino in Lake Tahoe, Nev., and serving as a partner at the casino in Reno. <While casinos are very much alike and have the same offerings, Tribal casinos and commercial casinos are very different with respect to how they are run,= he said. <Commercial casinos usually have a reporting structure of an owner or owners and/or a board of directors. Some commercial casi- nos are publicly traded, which are more aligned with how Tribal casinos operate. In some cases, Tribal casinos have their own government which ultimately oversees the casino.= Johnson continued, <The panel explained to the attendees to make sure to 8do your homework,9 make sure you know about the Tribe9s process for onboarding new vendors. We suggested meeting with your casino repre- sentative to have them explain in detail the process for becoming a vendor. Patience and understanding are a needed part of navigating the process. After becoming a vendor, be sure to regularly check in with your casino partner to keep the relationship current and productive.= Although he has attended the conference several times during his 34 years in the gaming industry, it was Johnson9s orst experience as a pan- elist. <It9s a great representation for Spirit Mountain Casino to have Clint speaking on a global gaming stage,= Tribal Council member Denise Har- vey said. Harvey was attending on behalf of the Tribe and the Indian Gaming Association. She serves as a Pacioc Northwest Tribal delegate to the board of directors, the orst Grand Ronde Tribal member to be appointed. The 2023 conference included 25,000 industry professionals and 350 ex- hibitors from more than 100 countries and featured 70 education sessions, according to globalgamingexpo.com. n sNok signflz 13 Reyes named to university9s Honors College BUFFALO, N.Y. 3 Tribal member Jordan Reyes has enrolled in the University at Buffalo9s Honors College for the 2023-24 academic year. The Honors College supports and chal- lenges academically gifted students to strengthen their studies and explore their interests across academic disciplines. Honors scholars enjoy beneots designed to foster academic and personal success, including personalized advisement, faculty mentorship, priority registration, access Jordan Reyes to funding opportunities, specialized liv- ing communities and a network of global honors alumni. Honors scholars must maintain a 3.3 undergraduate grade point average during their orst year and at least a 3.5 undergraduate GPA in each successive year to graduate. Reyes, a graduate of Willamina High School, is attending the Uni- versity at Buffalo on a wrestling scholarship. In 2019-20, he went 4-23 overall as the Bulls starter at 125 pounds as a true freshman. In his sophomore year, he was named to the Academic All Mid-America Conference team. This year, he is a redshirt senior, meaning he is not wrestling, but is retaining his onal year of eligibility. Reyes won his second Oregon state wrestling championship in February 2019 as a senior in the 106-pound weight class. He also won the state title during his junior year in the same weight class and onished second during his freshman and sophomore years. He went 122-10 during his four years of wrestling at Willamina with six of his 10 losses occurring during his freshman year. n Tribal Library merges with Regional Library Service The Tribal Library has merged with the Chemeketa Cooperative Regional Library Service, said Tribal Librarian Kathy Cole. Tribal members can now get books from libraries in Polk, Yam- hill and Marion counties, as well as access to many free programs. Tribal Library patrons should visit the Tribal Library and update their information and obtain a new Regional Library Service card. For more information, contact Cole at 503-879-1488. n JOIN YCAP FOR DINNER & CONVERSATION ABOUT THE GREATEST NEEDS IN OUR COMMUNITY WHAT: Engage in a facilitated discussion with YCAP staff to share your thoughts about what the most critical needs are in Yamhill County. Food and door prizes will be provided. Must be present to win. WHEN: thursday december 7, 2023 at 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Doors open at 5:30 pm. Discussion will begin at 6 pm & end about 7 pm. WHERE: grand ronde community center, building b 9615 grand ronde rd, grand ronde, OR 97347 Can’t attend, no problem! Take our anonymous survey instead to share your opinion and for a chance to win a $100 gift card... https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/YCAPCommunityNeedSurvey Or scan the QR code above with your camera’s phone.
