The National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA) has announced a strategic long-term partnership with Clarion Events. This collaboration aims to utilize Clarion Events' expertise in organizing trade shows and conferences to enhance NIGA’s annual Indian Gaming Tradeshow and Convention.
Through its widely recognized ICE brand, Clarion Gaming will work to broaden NIGA’s presence across various channels. The partnership seeks to emphasize the significant role that tribal gaming plays within the broader gaming industry, a sector that generates $35 billion and stands as the 11th largest employer in the United States, alongside producing an additional $6.2 billion in revenue across hotels, entertainment, restaurants, and retail.
NIGA’s annual Indian Gaming Tradeshow and Convention is a significant event in the gaming calendar. The 2021 edition, which took place in July, was notable as the first major in-person gaming event following the COVID-19 pandemic, achieving visitor numbers comparable to pre-pandemic levels and attracting tribal leaders, commercial gaming operators, and industry suppliers.
The upcoming 2022 event is scheduled for April 19-22 in Anaheim, California. NIGA chairman Ernie Stevens, Jr. expressed the importance of tribal gaming, stating, "Tribal gaming is a dominant force in the gaming community. Before Covid, tribal gaming revenue had increased each year for the past decade – demonstrating the innovation and achievement of Indian Country."
Stevens further remarked, "The work we do empowers our tribal communities and generates important revenue for economic development. We are already building back. As we look to establish a new normal, we are excited to join forces with Clarion Events. They honor the mission and vision of the National Indian Gaming Association, support its membership, and are experts in producing large-scale tradeshows and conventions. With their partnership, we will grow the Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention and expand tribal gaming’s global reach through ICE."
Clarion Gaming provides critical business intelligence and industry-leading events, including the ICE brand, which features both live events and digital content. Additionally, it includes iGB and iGB Affiliate brands, which cater to affiliate marketers in the gaming sector. Greg Topalian, CEO of Clarion Events North America, emphasized a strong working relationship with NIGA that has lasted seven years, saying, "We greatly respect the work that the Association does for its members and the tribal gaming community. As part of Clarion Events’ ongoing strategy, we are actively looking to expand upon our current partnerships and work together with new associations to scale events and support their missions. Greater ties between the National Indian Gaming Association and our ICE brands will build on their standard of excellence and grow the Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention to new heights."
