Additionally, Loto-Quebec, together with Platinum sponsor, Scientific Games; Gold sponsors, Spielo International and Bally Technologies; and all our other sponsors were fundamental to the Summit’s success.
Two outstanding plenary sessions—Paul Lauzon’s (Senior Vice President, Ipsos Reid) Focus on the Future Players, sponsored by KPMG; and the Lottery and Gaming Senior Executive Roundtable, sponsored by Great Canadian Gaming, which was my honour to moderate—set the stage for this year’s theme, 'Focus on the Customer'. The information and education programs included tracks dealing with charitable gaming, corporate social responsibility, gaming business and operations, iGaming, legal and regulatory, marketing and communications, security and surveillance, and gaming operations.
Manufacturers and suppliers also had all the latest products and services on display during the Canadian Gaming Summit Exhibition.
There were also great opportunities to get together, including the Golf Classic sponsored by AGEM and TCSJOHNHUXLEY, the jam-packed opening reception, and numerous parties and receptions.
Our closing event, the Canadian Gaming Awards Reception and Charity Gala, sponsored by Rogers Business Solutions, raised $7,500 for la Maison du Père and was a celebration of excellence. It formally recognized First Nations Canadian Gaming Award winners Angela Higgins (Caldwell First Nation), Charles Ryder (Carry the Kettle First Nation), Tammy Whitney (Tsuu T’ina First Nation) and Lorne Paudash (Ojibwa-Hiawatha First Nation) together with Industry Leadership and Outstanding Contribution winners Twyla Meredith (Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation), Luc Morin (Casino de Montreal) and Glen Sawhill (Caesars Windsor), and Volunteerism and Community Service winner Jean- Pierre Curtat (Casino de Montreal).
On a personal note, as a proud Torontonian, I have to reluctantly admit that Montreal is still Canada’s best place to have a party, as was proven by the gala's entertainers, Montreal Rhapsody Orchestra, who rocked the joint.