My brother Gil told me the other day, “I think it is so cool, sis, that you don’t work for a corporation; you get to meet the coolest people, and what you do really makes a difference.”
We’d been sitting in the waiting room for a long time for his doctor, and he asked me about my week. (To be honest, after my recording with Gene Simmons of KISS, he seems to have taken a greater interest in my job.) I told him I had a very inspiring interview with Carter Pavey, VP of Marketing, at Gun Lake Casino in Michigan, and how the casino and the Gun Lake Tribe donated 2.5 million dollars to transform a vacant high school into what will be the world’s largest Special Olympics training facility.
I then talked his ear off about how the entire team was preparing for Raving NEXT, our annual signature conference end of January. He asked, “Who are you most excited to meet?” I told him the story behind our keynote Margo Gray, her tribe’s involvement in the making of the movie “Killers of the Flower Moon” and the impact of finally getting to tell their story. I also talked about a panel of three next-gen leaders, the first to grow up with gaming, and what I expect will be a riveting discussion about how they are influencing and championing their organizations.
So, my brother Gil, I’m not sure if I personally make a difference. Instead, I’d have to say what a difference it has been for me, to work in an industry where the shareholders are communities. And what a difference it has made working for a native-owned business with a group of seriously fun and talented folks who have dedicated the last 25 years to train, educate and inform with unfailing integrity and joy.
Today’s newsletter is in celebration of the unmatched spirit of giving that Tribes embody and to thank the thousands of team members that are providing service and kindness to guests this week. We thank the many Tribal casinos that have shared their stories (see below) and the hundreds of others that do amazing things for their constituents each and every day.
From the team at Tribal Gaming and Hospitality Magazine and Raving, thank you for your continued support and readership.
