Nick Ippolito
CEO Casino Player Development
Nick has had an impressive career coaching, training, and mentoring casino hosts and Casino Player Development programs worldwide. He has worked with numerous tribal and commercial casinos, including Penn Gaming, Jack Entertainment, Affinity, Rush Street Gaming, and others. His extensive experience in various markets, such as Canada, Bahamas, Punta Cana, Morocco, Albania, and Korea, has contributed to the development and refinement of his casino host sales training presentation. This training has become an industry standard, with many casinos incorporating it into their everyday practices. The positive impact of his training is evident through client testimonials and references, as well as the increased numbers and telemarketing success reported by the casino hosts he has helped.
Alice Irwin
Vice President of Bingo & Keno Business; Gaming Arts
Alice serves as Vice President of Bingo and Keno Business of Gaming Arts. She has been in the Casino industry for over 40 years, serving in a General Manager capacity, and various other high-level positions within the industry. She holds extensive knowledge of Bingo and Keno while maintaining and nurturing key relationships within the gaming industry. Her experience with positioning Bingo Games and Keno systems globally has contributed to Gaming Arts becoming a world leader in Bingo Games. When Alice is not traveling, she can be found at home spending time with her family and her beloved dogs.
SCOTT KANIA
Director of Product Management Class II, CDS & Tournament; IGT
Scott Kania is a visionary gaming professional with an affinity for Class II Bingo who currently serves as the Director of Product Management for IGT focusing on global Class II. With 30 years in the gaming industry, he has been instrumental in reenergizing IGT’s business vertical focus through execution of strategic initiatives increasing our market share both in US domestic and international jurisdictions. Utilizing critical thinking, and analytical skills with proven leadership abilities, he takes the initiative to assist colleagues and customers alike aligning goals and business objectives. Educated in Northern Nevada with a business management degree and a minor in computer science.
Mary Kilmer
VP of Client Services; Red Circle Agency
Mary is the VP of Client Services at Red Circle Agency and the Chairwoman of the Board of Directors that oversees her tribe's online and multi-property gaming operation.
Working for three different tribal casinos in Michigan and Wisconsin, Mary honed her skills in database analysis, player behavior, and competitive landscapes. Before joining Red Circle, she was the Database Director for a corporate casino in Ohio. She’s launched new players club structures, overhauled direct mail programs, and helped open two new casino properties.
Sean Mason
Director of Tribal Services; BMM Testlabs
Sean Mason, Senior Director of Tribal Services at BMM Testlabs has over 20 years in the gaming industry. Before joining BMM, he served as a Cybersecurity and IT Auditor at Entain, where he strengthened security measures for one of the world’s largest sports betting and gaming groups. Previously, as Technical Compliance Engineer at BetMGM, Mason showcased leadership in Tribal gaming, navigating complex regulatory matters.
His commitment to compliance was evident during his tenure as an IT Auditor for the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC), where Mason ensured clarity within Tribal gaming properties. And earlier in his career, Mason served for more than a decade at GLI as a Senior Development Representative, where he excelled in meticulous field inspections and provided proactive customer service and support to GLI’s Tribal customers. Mason earned a Bachelor of Science in Electronic Engineering and Automated Manufacturing Technology and is a PECB Certified ISO/IEC Lead Auditor.
Sara Meyer
Talent Acquisition Manager; Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas
Sara Meyer is an accomplished professional with extensive experience in the Human Resources field. Currently serving as the Talent Acquisition Manager for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas, Sara brings 15 years of expertise to her role. Prior to joining BCBSKS, Sara spent 17 years at Prairie Band Casino and Resort, where she held positions in both the Marketing and Human Resources departments. Throughout her tenure there, Sara specialized in Employee Relations and Talent Acquisition, honing her skills in fostering positive work environments and attracting top talent.
A firm believer in the importance of organizational culture, Sara advocates that "Culture is a Strategy," emphasizing its pivotal role in both attracting and retaining talented individuals. Her dedication to this principle underscores her commitment to creating workplaces where employees can thrive and contribute to the overall success of the organization.
Outside of her professional pursuits, Sara finds fulfillment in her personal life. Married to her high school sweetheart for 18 years, she is a devoted partner and parent to two children. In her leisure time, Sara enjoys traveling with her family and friends, exploring new destinations and creating lasting memories.
Brendan Moore
Director of Slot Performance & Analytics; Eilers & Krejcik Gaming
Brendan is the Director of Slot Performance & Analytics at Eilers & Krejcik Gaming and leads the land-based Game Performance Database (GPD) program. Tracking over 400,000 slots internationally, Eilers & Krejcik produces industry-leading reports on top slots, cabinets, and trends in the slot market. Prior to Eilers & Krejcik, he was a Slot Optimization Analyst at the Venetian and Palazzo on the Las Vegas Strip. Brendan holds a Bachelor's in Environmental Economics and a Bachelor's in Finance from Northern Arizona University. He has a Master's in Applied Economics from University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
JOSH PEUKERT, CFE, CIA
Partner; Bluebird CPAs
Josh joined the firm in 2010 as a senior accountant, was promoted to Senior Manager in 2017, Junior Partner in 2020, and Partner in 2021. As the firm’s MICS Compliance AUP manager, Josh manages internal audits, Title 31 compliance, and various agreed-upon procedures. He has assisted clients in developing audit procedures that led to identifying money laundering and fraudulent free play utilization, as well as developing know-your-customer procedures to identify red flags in patrons’ backgrounds.
After earning his degree, Josh worked for a regional public accounting firm specializing in servicing Tribal entities. Josh frequently provides training sessions to Casinos during tradeshows and conferences, and for the NIGA Commissioners Certification Training series.
TIM RICHARDS
Executive Vice President of Strategy & Digital Gaming; Everi
Tim Richards, Executive Vice President of Strategy and Digital Gaming, has been a proven thought leader at Everi since 2011. He has a distinguished ability to launch new and innovative products, and an expert knowledge of the gaming industry. In his twelve-year tenure with Everi, Mr. Richards has held several executive positions including SVP and Chief Product Strategy Officer, SVP of Payment Innovations, SVP of Product Development, and GM/SVP Interactive Solutions.
With over 25-years of professional experience in gaming technology, from product innovation to marketing and other executive roles, Mr. Richards brings a dynamic perspective to payments and gaming. Mr. Richards has previously served in leadership roles with Interblock, IGT, Progressing Gaming International, and Gaming Systems International. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree, in Hotel Administration, from UNLV.
DAN SCHREMENTI
President of Gaming; Incredible Technologies
Dan joined IT in 2004 as a marketing team member for Golden Tee® Golf. In 2011 Dan moved to create the product market plan and strategy for the company's then-emerging casino gaming initiative. He went on to lead both casino gaming sales and marketing for the company. As President of Gaming, Dan oversees the company’s Gaming Division, including product development, market strategy, sales, service along with finance and operations for the company. Dan received his B.S. in Marketing from Illinois State University and his M.B.A. from Northern Illinois University.
Steve Shehi
Director of Player Development; Prairie Band Casino & Resort
Steve has been with Prairie Band Casino & Resort for over 24 years, 23 of which have been in Player Development. He has been in Sales or Management through three major expansions at Prairie Band Casino & Resort. Steve has been recognized with Chairman’s Awards for Superior Guest Service, as well as Superior Team Results from Caesars Entertainment, the highest Award of Achievement in Dale Carnegie’s Skills for Success and the GM’s Inspirational Leader Award. He is a member of the Sales & Marketing Executives of Topeka, Kansas, serves on several property committees and speaks regularly at Kansas State University’s Department of Hospitality where the casino was recently recognized with a “Friend of the College” Award. Steve was also on a panel for Player Development at OIGA. As the Director of Player Development, Steve’s team consist of 12 Executive Casino Hosts, VIP Services, Resort Ambassadors and the Player’s Club. The loyalty program was rebranded in 2023. Steve’s passion for the industry, property and department drives him to consistently explore opportunities to learn and adjust for maximized profitability.
STEPHEN VANN
Senior Product Manager; Aristocrat Gaming
Stephen Vann is a Senior Product Manager of Class II Commercial Strategy at Aristocrat Gaming, a global frontrunner in gaming content and technology. With an impressive career spanning over two decades in the gaming industry, Stephen has extensive experience in both operational and manufacturing domains, predominantly in the Class II sector. His journey in the gaming industry began with a 12-year tenure in various roles for his tribal community, encompassing both operational and regulatory responsibilities.
In 2014, Stephen embarked on a new chapter with Video Gaming Technologies (VGT), marking a significant milestone in his career. His expertise continued to flourish when VGT was acquired by Aristocrat Technologies in 2015, where he has since been instrumental in fostering and strengthening pivotal relationships with tribal partners. His commitment to ensuring the success of Class II gaming within these partnerships is a testament to his strategic vision and deep understanding of the industry.
Stephen graduated from Northeastern State University with a bachelor’s degree and an MBA. After spending four years in Las Vegas, Stephen has recently relocated back to Oklahoma. This move not only brings him closer to his roots but also positions him strategically to provide direct commercial oversight in the Oklahoma market. Simultaneously, he continues to shape and influence commercial strategies across the North American region, leveraging his vast experience and insights to drive growth and innovation in the gaming industry.