HOUSTON, July 6, 2007�Casinos and the employees who run them are on the agenda when the world�s leading gaming experts, including two from the University of Houston, gather in Seoul, Korea, for the International Conference on Casino Development and Strategy.   The event is planned for July 10 and 11.  

John Bowen, dean of the UH Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management, and Ki-Joon Back, associate professor with the college, are presenters at the conference sponsored by Kangwon Land Resort & Casino, 7Luck Casino and the Asian Academic Network on Commercial Gaming.

�It�s an honor to represent the University of Houston, and more generally, the American gaming perspective at this prestigious conference,� Bowen said.  �The commercialization of gaming is becoming more and more international, and our faculty and our country are providing the expertise at critically early stages of development.�

Bowen will discuss a comprehensive approach to the gaming industry when he presents, �Current Trends in Casino Marketing.�  He argues that gaming must be part of a larger tourism package that must include restaurants and commercial retail options to provide a rich tourist experience.  

�Communities are often concerned when gaming initiatives begin,� Bowen said.  �With respect to Korea, this conference is an important step in establishing a plan to maximize the obvious economic and entertainment benefits of a viable gaming industry, while minimizing consequences like problem gambling.� 

Back�s lecture, �Internal Relationships in Marketing: Casino Employees, Job Satisfaction and Organizational Commitment,� discusses employee retention and satisfaction, which he argues has a residual effect on customer retention and satisfaction.

�The Asian casino industry is booming right now,� Back said.  �There�s a real chance to establish a communications channel that yields a mutually beneficial exchange of ideas.�

In addition to the University of Houston, 14 presentations will be delivered by faculty and representatives from University of Nevada � Las Vegas, University of Nevada � Reno, University of Colorado, Colorado State University, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Osaka University of Commerce, Kyunghee University and the Problem Gambling Foundation of New Zealand.

In addition to delivering presentations and participating on discussion panels, speakers also will meet with industry leaders and government officials and tour gaming properties.

The Conrad N. Hilton College has become recognized for its casino management program, which focuses on casinos in mid-America.  The college is also the curriculum provider for the National Indian Gaming Association�s Casino Management Certificate Program, and its faculty provides research and training programs for regulators, major casino providers and future employees of the casino industry.

For more information on the UH Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management, visit www.hrm.uh.edu/. 

About the University of Houston 

The University of Houston, Texas� premier metropolitan research and teaching institution, is home to more than 40 research centers and institutes and sponsors more than 300 partnerships with corporate, civic and governmental entities. UH, the most diverse research university in the country, stands at the forefront of education, research and service with more than 35,000 students.
 

David Raffetto
July 6, 2007 
713/743-1509 (office)
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