LAS VEGAS, July 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Representatives of minority- and woman-owned businesses will have a chance to make valuable contacts in the corporate buying world this August when Ameristar Casino Hotel Kansas City plays host to a unique, half-day Vendor Supplier Marketplace.
Hundreds of business owners and managers from the greater Kansas City area are expected to join corporate representatives at Ameristar's Star Pavilion from 9 a.m. until noon on Wednesday, Aug. 21, for the free event. Refreshments will be served.
This is the first time in history that all of the area's gaming entities have agreed to meet in one place so representatives of minority- and woman- owned businesses can come face-to-face with key corporate personnel, says June White, director of compliance for Ameristar Kansas City, who originated the idea for the marketplace.
Other gaming companies participating include Harrah's Casino, Argosy, and the Isle of Capri. Ameristar and the Isle of Capri both have developmental agreements with the Kansas City Port Authority to include minorities and women in their purchasing network but, White says, Ameristar wanted to go beyond those instruments.
Even if we didn't have that agreement, we should be bound by the principles of fair play, White adds. It's just the right thing to do. Of course, we're not giving anything away -- anyone we do business with must be competitive and must meet all the regulations set forth by the gaming industry.
Still, she says, I think it's fantastic that all of us have agreed to set aside marketplace competition and come together to accommodate those in minority- and women-owned businesses.
The Minority Supplier Council is spearheading the event in association with the area woman/minority chambers, business centers, associations, and others. The Urban League, which serves as Ameristar's on-going consultant in dealing with minority and women business enterprises, is working with White to ensure the historical event is a success.
Kevin Mullally, executive director of the Missouri Gaming Association, will be the keynote speaker. His presentation will center on the complexities of background checks and other investigative criteria companies must meet in order to do business with the gaming industry in Missouri. In fact, it was Mullally who, in 2001, initially urged the casino properties to be more proactive with their minority and women business recruitment, sowing the seeds for the event White has made a reality.
Advertisements designed by Harrah's are going into the area's four minority newspapers and word-of-mouth is also luring participants to the event.
People I've talked to are very excited about this opportunity, White says, and I'm proud that Ameristar is the host company.
Vendors/suppliers stretch into every area of the gaming industry -- promotional such as florists and dry cleaners, consultants, food and beverage, equipment, and more. Yet some minority and women business owners have told White they've experienced difficulties getting in to see the right people at other properties. She sees the Marketplace -- the Minority Supplier Council's trademarked name -- as a place for Ameristar to benefit, too.
We're always looking to increase our vendor/supplier base, says White. This is a good thing for everyone concerned and we're making it as easy as we can by putting everybody under one roof and asking the minority- and woman- based businesses to bring along their own executives as well.
The event is free, but participants do need to register. For more information about the Vendor Supplier Marketplace 2002, contact White at 816-414-7204.
Ameristar Casinos, Inc. is an innovative, Las Vegas-based gaming and entertainment company known for its distinctive, quality conscious hotel-casinos and value orientation. Led by President and Chief Executive Officer Craig H. Neilsen, the organization's roots go back nearly five decades to a tiny roadside casino in the high plateau country that borders Idaho and Nevada. Publicly held since November 1993, the corporation owns and operates six properties in Nevada, Missouri, Iowa and Mississippi, two of which carry the prestigious American Automobile Association's Four Diamond designation. Ameristar's Common Stock is traded on the Nasdaq National Market System under the symbol: ASCA.
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