CTBA Chair and Co-Chair to participate in several gaming conferences

· iGaming North America, Las Vegas, NV: On Thursday, Feb. 21 at 3:15 p.m., Leslie Lohse will join the panel “Tribal Perspectives – A Progress Report,” providing updates on federal and state I-Gaming legislation as they pertain to tribal online gaming. The conference takes place at the Planet Hollywood Casino and Resort. More info at www.igamingnorthamerica.com

·  Florida Gaming Congress, Hollywood, Florida: On Tuesday, Feb. 26 at 3 p.m. Chairman Robert Smith will discuss “Internet Gaming in the U.S.” The event takes place at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. More info at www.floridagamingcongress.com

·  GLI Regulators Roundtable, Las Vegas, NV: On Feb. 28 at 9 a.m.  Leslie Lohse, as part of the panel “Regulating the Shift from Bricks to Clicks””  will discuss what regulators must do to ensure compliance, data security and player protection as operators continue to travel between the brick-and-mortar world to the online world. Takes place at the Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel & Casino. More info at www.gaminglabs.com 

CTBA Chairman Robert Smith has dedicated himself toward improving the way of life for the members of the Pala Band of Luiseño Indians. As Tribal Chair, he played an integral role in the complex negotiations that resulted in Governor Wilson's signing of the Pala-State Compact in 1998, a groundbreaking agreement that legalized gaming on tribal lands and helped to ensure the continued economic freedom and independence of tribes throughout the state. In 2004, Chairman Smith was one of five tribal leaders to work side-by-side with Governor Schwarzenegger to come to agreement on a set of compacts that benefited both the tribes and the state of California. Chairman Smith was intimately involved in all decisions leading to the construction and development of the Tribe's Pala Casino Resort and Spa, which opened in 2000.

CTBA Vice-Chairwoman Leslie Lohse has served as Tribal Council Treasurer of the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians of California since 1998. Over this period, she participated in putting together the Paskenta Band's purchase of over 2,000 acres in Tehama County, the tribe's aboriginal territory. She was instrumental in getting this land federal government trust status and then completing the construction of a 70,000 square-foot casino that includes three restaurants. Her tribe has successfully negotiated leasing transactions with private investors that have brought two new hotels and a private hunting club to the tribal lands.