The word is out, and the “biggest little show in tribal gaming” is filling up faster each year. As of this writing, with five months still to go until showtime, our host hotel reservations are going quickly. The trade show floor is almost full, and our small but mighty team is pulling some exceptional sessions together with topics for everyone — whether you’re just starting your career or you’re a seasoned pro. We’re looking forward to being back in Oklahoma City’s convention center and our host hotel, the Omni OKC. Most of all, we’re looking forward to seeing all of you: the movers and shakers who have worked to make our industry so strong.
Make a note to talk to the high-school and college students in your life — we’re preparing the forms for John Marley Scholarship applicants, which has been easier than ever since the forms have been fully electronic for the past couple of years. Look for the forms and deadline information to be live at OIGA.org soon.
The John Marley Scholarship Fund provides scholarships for Oklahoma tribal gaming industry employees and members of their families who meet certain minimum requirements and who complete an application. Recipients are selected by the Oklahoma City Public Schools Native American Students Services Department.
You’ll also want to keep an eye out for John Marley Golf Tournament registration information — it’s a much-loved event, and it fills up fast. Funds raised with the tournament allow us to provide the many scholarships we are grateful to offer. Last year, seven were awarded. The tournament is slated for the morning of Monday, July 20, at the city’s premier municipal golf course, Lincoln Park.
That evening, our annual welcome party will be held at Skydance Brewing Company and will feature food and drinks, lots of fun, plus poker and blackjack tournaments. We’ll provide a shuttle for guests, or, for those in the mood, it’s a pleasant walk from the conference hotel. If you’re looking for ways to get your company’s name out in front of our thousands of attendees, becoming an event sponsor is a terrific opportunity to do that in grand style.
Tuesday morning will be all about conference sessions, with educational offerings designed for people at every stage of their careers. A great variety of session topics will focus on technology, the latest trends, what’s happening at the legislative level, marketing, sports betting, and much more.
We’ll open the trade show floor in time for a delicious, walk-around lunch buffet and plenty of networking. Later that afternoon, we’ll honor recipients of our Chairman’s Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Indian Gaming and Modern Day Warrior Awards at the stage on the trade show floor. That evening, we’ll enjoy a relaxed cocktail reception on the floor, a newer tradition, which has proven to be a very popular way for people to get to know one another in a less formal way. Wednesday will be filled with more informative sessions, more fun on the trade show floor, and our famous cash giveaways will happen both Tuesday and Wednesday.
We’re not kidding when we say it’s time to make your plans, so if you have yet to reserve your booth, time is of the essence, and we’re happy to help you.
It is our sincerest hope that you’ll find excellent value and lots of fun at the 2026 OIGA Conference and Trade Show. We’ve filled it with thousands of potential business partners, vendors, session leaders, new and old colleagues, and, of course, lots of friends and family. We look forward to seeing you there!
