Second casino diversity scholarship programme launches
A trio of high-profile industry bodies will offer a second scholarship for a female executive to participate in one of the industry’s leading executive training programmes.
The scholarship, organised by the European Casino Association (ECA), Clarion Gaming and the Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers (AGEM), will guarantee the winner a place on the University of Las Vegas and University of Nevada, Reno’s Executive Development Programme (EDP).
The EDP is a gaming leadership course that has been running for the past 29 years, developed in partnership with the University of Las Vegas’ International Gaming Institute and the University of Nevada, Reno’s College of Business and Extended Studies.
“We simply love this initiative, as it expands leadership in ways that will generate benefits for years to come,” UNLV International Gaming Institute executive director Bo Bernhard said. “Over the past years, EDP has become the world's leading gaming executive development academy, and this effort helps show our leaders how to be leaders of diverse and increasingly global teams.”
It is designed to help participants build leadership and management skills, with the 2019 edition to cover areas such as the social impact of gambling, igaming, casino marketing and new technologies.
“We are proud to once again award a scholarship to an aspiring woman leader to take part in this outstanding programme,” ECA chairman and 2010 EDP graduate Per Jaldung said.
“The diversity of topics covered, together with the high-level experts attending, makes this course an exceptional opportunity to develop the skills that will serve future leaders to meet the challenges and opportunities of the industry, while the international dimension allows for the exchange of ideas and best practices.”
The scholarship offered by the ECA, Clarion Gaming and AGEM is open to female executives in the European land-based casino sector and part of the partners’ efforts to support and promote gender equality in the industry.
The scholarship will cover travel costs, accommodation and the programme fee, with an overall value of more than $10,000, with the winning applicant selected by judges from each of the participating organisations.
AGEM will be represented by director of Europe Tracy Cohen, who said she was “delighted” to partner the ECA to offer the scholarship.
“The importance of attracting women who are rising stars in the industry and providing opportunities for them to take their careers to the next level is something AGEM wholeheartedly supports,” she added.
Also sitting on the judging panel will be Pauline Boyer Martin, winner of the 2018 scholarship, representing the ECA, Joanne Gipson of the University of Nevada, Reno and Clarion Gaming managing director Kate Chambers.
“The Executive Development Programme represents a fantastic opportunity for the nominated candidate to accelerate her career and prepare for a leadership role within this exceptional industry,” Chambers said. “The ECA should be commended for the commitment it has shown to the promotion of diversity, values that the entire team at Clarion Gaming endorse fully.
“I am personally honoured to have been invited on to the judging panel and I look forward to being able to contribute to what is an outstanding initiative.”
The scholarship follows the launch of a campaign by the ECA to highlight the positive economic impact of the land-based casino industry in Europe. Launched in May, this aims to show how the industry tackles key issues such as compliance, money laundering controls, responsible gambling and tackling illegal operators.