Accept AI for its imperfections and use it to pull ahead
Perhaps I’ve been expecting too much from AI. Perhaps I need to dive in with both feet, accept AI for its imperfections, and figure out the myriad ways it can help me and my clients in our work. Today, I spoke with a long-time and dear friend, Kimberly Arnold of Escalate Solutions. Kimberly has spent…
Will AI Re-Invent Research Soon?
We live in a fast-paced world where everything seems to be at our fingertips – we can search out any answer, buy any product, or solve nearly any problem with just the phone in our hands. We “Google” and we ask Siri anything that pops into our heads. As AI continues to emerge into our…
Chinese Tourist Return and the Future of Asian Casinos
For the past several decades, rapid growth in international travel by Chinese residents has fueled the tourism and gaming industries in Asia. As with the rest of the world, this came to a grinding halt in 2020 as a result of the pandemic. However, unlike much of the rest of the world, the return of…
Gaming Meets Hospitality
Consumer desires have changed, and the gaming and entertainment industries are at a crossroads. For casino resorts to attract and retain customers, they must “reposition themselves as a premier destination for all consumers, including non-gamers, integrating various elements and attractions within as a part of a broader destination experience,” according to the latest piece by…
Cautiously Curious and Learning More about AI
I’ve got to admit a couple of things. First, I’m still curious about AI. Second, this year I fell a bit behind in my required continuing education to maintain my AICP certification. Between preparing for and completing the 16-week Goldman Sachs 10KSB Program and simultaneously managing and working in our company, I just didn’t finish…
Learning to be a better business leader and advisor
Nearly 16 weeks ago, I embarked on a grueling plan to make myself a better business leader and better advisor to my clients through the Goldman Sachs 10KSB program developed by Babson College (the nation’s top-ranked school for entrepreneurship).
Forever Learning, and Apparently Quicker and Better than AI
At Convergence Strategy Group, we are continually refreshing our skills, learning new things, questioning, and growing. Whether through mandated continuing education to maintain my AICP credentials, industry conferences, podcasts, books, or news articles, we are constantly expanding our knowledge base. That brings me to AI, the most hyped-up tool I can recall in some time….
Will Casino Gaming Come to the Lone Star State?
The December issue of GGB Global Gaming Business Magazine leads with the Top 10 industry trends for 2023, including integrated resorts in Europe, microbetting, casino marketing changes, and Trend #4: Texas Teases by CSG Managing Partner Suzanne P. Leckert. The article addresses the potential for casino gaming legislation in Texas: The rumors have been going around…
Check the Freshness Date
The following article by CSG Principals, Scott Fisher and Suzanne Leckert, was recently featured in GGB News: When seeking advice from consultants, don’t just take their word for it or even their data. Information compiled years ago may not be applicable to current situations so make sure your data is up to date. Making decisions…
Suzanne Leckert debates sports books at stadiums on “Chicago Tonight”
Convergence Strategy Group’s Managing Partner, Suzanne Leckert, was featured on WTTW’s popular program “Chicago Tonight” to debate the City of Chicago’s proposal to allow sports books near the city’s five sports stadiums. The ordinance allows for large-scale entertainment and wagering facilities within a 5-block radius of each stadium, operational 365 days per year. The impact…
Slidell Casino Forum with St. Tammany Parish Chamber of Commerce
Convergence Strategy Group’s Suzanne Leckert participated in a recent forum hosted by the St. Tammany Parish Chamber of Commerce to address community concerns about the proposed Camellia Bay Resort Casino in Slidell, Louisiana. Ms. Leckert discusses the potential impacts of this resort casino development on the community. Watch the video here: Community Impact Assessment Discussion…
PODCAST: How it all happened in Danville, Virginia
When the State of Virginia legalized casinos for five economically distressed cities last year, Danville was the only city that went through a request for proposal process to find a developer for a casino in that town. The city hired Convergence Strategy Group to handle the process, which just ended with the city choosing Caesars…
City of Danville, Virginia Selects Caesars Entertainment
The City of Danville, Virginia has selected and is in negotiations with its preferred casino gaming operator, Caesars Entertainment. We applaud the leadership and hard work of Danville’s Mayor, City Council, City Manager, previous and Interim Directors of Economic Development, and numerous City staff in achieving this milestone for the community. In March 2019, the…
Analytics · Casino · Development · Economics · Integrated Resorts · Online Gaming · Planning · Uncategorized
G2E Presentation: Demographic and Psychographic Analytics
On Thursday, October 17, 2019, Convergence Strategy Group Managing Partner Suzanne Leckert and Tribal Gaming Services’ Joseph Witterschein led a discussion on Understanding Your Customers Through Demographic and Psychographic Analytics at the Global Gaming Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada. This important event for the gaming industry attracted nearly 30,000 attendees, including commercial and tribal casino…
Illinois – New Gaming Opportunities for Everyone (to Get Cannibalized?)
Earlier this month, the Illinois General Assembly passed legislation that paves the way for a major expansion of gaming in the state. Slots at racetracks and airports, new casinos in six new cities (including Chicago), as well as sports betting proximate to large stadiums around the state will all add to the existing gaming landscape…