6
SMOKE SIGNALS
MARCH 1, 2024
Denise Harvey attends international gaming convention
By Danielle Harrison
Smoke Signals editor
LONDON — Tribal Council mem-
ber and Indian Gaming Association
Tribal delegate Denise Harvey re-
cently attended the International
Casino Exhibition in London.
The global gaming event brings
together industry and other pro-
fessionals from across the gaming
industry to share their latest prod-
ucts, information and technology.
This year’s event was held from
Feb. 6-8 at ExCel London. It was
Harvey’s fi rst time attending.
“I was invited in 2020 but with
all of the COVID stuff happening,
we cancelled attending that,” she
said. “This was the fi rst opportu-
nity that I could make it but I’ve
known about it for years. There
were probably about 30 Tribal rep-
resentatives there.”
Harvey has served on the IGA
commission since 2018, and is the
fi rst Grand Ronde Tribal member to
be appointed to the board. She pre-
viously served on the Grand Ronde
Gaming Commission as a member
and chair from March 2004 through
September 2013. She’s served on
Tribal Council since 2013.
Harvey said that the highlight of
the convention was the amount of
respect and appreciation the Tribal
representatives received from oth-
ers in attendance.
“It was full of people from all over
the world and the symposium we
did was packed,” she said. “They’re
just so appreciative and respectful
of Tribal people, they treated us
like celebrities. It was that way
through the whole conference. It
was almost overwhelming and
surprising that so many wanted
to learn who we were and what
we do, and the difference between
commercial and Tribal gaming.”
Raving is a Native-owned
gaming and hospitality
business.
The award recognizes
efforts made by gaming
industry leaders that assist
in rebuilding communities
through Indian self-reli-
ance.
“I wasn’t expecting that
at all,” Harvey said. “I
think for Indian gaming
and most of the Tribes I
get to work with nation-
ally, they respect the fact
that I show up and partic-
ipate. I know when to ask
questions and usually am
somewhat educated on the
questions that I might be
asking. So, I think it’s just
continuous support and
Contributed photo being willing to step up.
Indian Gaming Association Deputy Executive Director Danielle Her Many Horses,
You just do what you do
in a professional way and
left, and Tribal Council member and IGA delegate Denise Harvey were presented
it seems to be resonating.”
with the Indian Gaming Association 2024 Chairman’s Leadership Award during the
When asked why it is im-
International Casino Exhibition in London in early February. The award recognizes
portant
to have Tribal rep-
eff orts made by gaming industry leaders that assist in rebuilding communities through
resentation at these events,
Indian self-reliance. On the right is IGA Chairman Ernie Stevens Jr.
Harvey said that it’s always
important
to have gaming manufac-
and understand the
TO LISTEN TO MORE
turing
companies
understand the
differences between
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types of relationships they need to
each Tribe and each
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“They recognize that they can’t
cated. But we’re very
just come in and bombard us and
desirable to them to have business
During the Tribal symposium
we’re as powerful as they are,” Har-
with us.”
Feb. 6, attendees learned more
vey said. “What I saw is now they’re
Another highlight for Harvey
about the differences and similari-
rethinking their process and know
was unexpectedly being presented
ties between Tribal gaming regula-
they need to build a relationship.
with the Indian Gaming Associa-
tions and other jurisdictions in the
… It was an honor to be there and
tion 2024 Chairman’s Leadership
United States, and why gaming is
represent all of Indian Country and
Award with IGA Deputy Executive
vital to those Tribes.
who we are, and help build those
Director Danielle Her Many Hors-
She continued, “We’re a $49
relationships.” n
es and Raving CEO Deana Scott.
billion dollar industry, so we’re no
longer the little fi sh in a big pond.
And they’re (gaming vendors) really
recognizing that they need to have
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