1997 Convention & Expo Seminar Topics

ACM October/November Newsletter, page 10

Listed below are the tentative seminar and workshop topics (and topic descriptions) being offered at The 7th Annual Minnesota Lawful Gambling Convention & Expo being held in Rochester on November 20-21-22, 1997.

Continuing Education Seminars

(you need 1 course with  ** or 2 courses with * to meet annual requirement)

Allowable Expense And Lawful Purpose, And Using The Schedule C/D (3)
** - Did you know that new legislation changed the percentage limits on allowable expenses and lawful purpose expenditures, or that another lawful purpose code has been added? Learn how these changes help your organization and how to use your profits on allowable expenses and lawful purposes.

Bingo: Conduct And Forms (2)
** - Bingo grossed over $80 million dollars last year With a business that large, you have to have rules and procedures to assure the integrity of the game. In addition to the new prize limits passed by the legislature, we'll discuss definitions, bingo paper pricing, house rules, bingo programs, how to use coupons, using the bingo forms, and bar bingo.

Compliance Reviews & Site Inspections (3)
** - Learn what the Board looks for when doing a compliance review and site inspection. We've seen it all and we're willing to share it. It may surprise you!

Illegal Gambling & Card Tournaments (3)
* - Special agents from Public Safety and the Gambling Control Board will discuss illegal gambling -- what it is and what to look for at your sites. Learn what to do if you suspect illegal gambling is occurring at your premises and how it could affect your license. The agents will also discuss the new legislation that allows card tournaments. This is a popular class -- make sure you sign up early!

Internal Operations And CEO Oversight (3)
** - If there's one class you don't want to miss -- this is the one!. Successful gambling operations all have one thing in common - that secret ingredient that makes their gambling operation run like a well-oiled machine - good internal operations. Learn how to prevent theft and make your operation successful with CEO oversight and membership involvement. You'll be provided with a handout that you can use each month for reviewing the key areas of operation.

New Legislation And New Rules (2)
* - New rules regarding fund losses, license applications, lessors, and illegal gambling are now in effect. But wait, there's more! The 1997 Minnesota Legislature added a new lawful purpose code, changed bingo prize limits, changed the allowable expense percentage, and more. You'll want to be up-to-date on it all!

Pull-Tab Dispensing Devices (2)
* - Do you have trouble with excessive cash shorts at your site? Installing a pull-tab dispensing device in your site may be the solution. The Gambling Control Board's investigative unit is the top team of experts in the field. They'll review the rules including where dispensing devices can be located, who is responsible for monitoring the devices, what forms need to be filled out for the day-to-day operation, and any other questions you have about the machines.

Pull-Tabs: Employees, Sales, Reporting, Etc. (3)
** - Bring your pull-tab sellers with you to this NEW class. Board staff will discuss what is expected of sellers and gambling managers and explain how the rules and statutes pertain to those jobs using real-life examples.

Revenue Department - CEO Oversight (2)
* - The Minnesota Department of Revenue - Lawful Gambling Tax Unit will offer their perspective on steps CEO's and organizations can take each month to ensure that their gambling operation is meeting it's obligations. They will look at several case histories that resulted in criminal charges.

Revenue Department - Profit Carry-Over Variances & Cross-Check System  (2)
* - The Minnesota Department of Revenue - Lawful Gambling Tax Unit will discuss profit carry-over variances and how to get into balance. Also, how their cross-check system works to your organizations advantage.
 

Group Discussions

Advanced Gambling Manager (2) -
An open discussion by and for licensed lawful gambling organizations on issues relating to gambling managers who have been involved with charitable gambling for several years.

Bar Bingo (1) -
An open discussion by and for licensed lawful gambling organizations on issues relating to bar bingo.

Bingo - Hard Cards (1) -
An open discussion by and for licensed lawful gambling organizations on issues relating to hard card bingo.

Bingo - Paper (1) -
An open discussion by and for licensed lawful gambling organizations on issues relating to paper bingo.

Conduct Of Business/Preparing For Annual Audit (2) -
An open discussion by and for licensed lawful gambling organizations on issues relating to running your gambling operation as a business and preparation for annual audit.

New Gambling Managers (1) -
An open discussion by and for licensed lawful gambling organizations on issues relating to new gambling managers.

Non-Booth Sales - Bar-Ops (2) -
An open discussion by and for licensed gambling organizations on issues relating to sites where the lessor and/or the lessors employees make sales on behalf of the organization.

Paddlewheels, Raffles, & Tipboards (1) -
An open discussion by and for licensed gambling organizations on issues relating to paddlewheels, raffles, and tipboards.

Preparing A Bingo Program (1) -
An open discussion by and for licensed gambling organizations on issues relating to preparing a bingo program.

Pull-Tabs (2) -
An open discussion by and for licensed gambling organizations on issues relating to pull-tabs.

Pull-Tab Dispensing Machines (1) -
An open discussion by and for licensed gambling organizations on issues relating to pull-tab dispensing machines.

Pull-Tab Sellers/Cashiers (2) -
An open discussion by and for licensed gambling organizations on issues relating to pull-tab sellers and cashiers.
 

Industry Seminars

Compulsive Gambling (1) -
A presentation by the Minnesota Council on Compulsive Gambling on compulsive gambling.

Employee Handbook - What It Is & Why Your Organization Should Have One (2) -
Kevin Staunton and Craig Trepanier of Hinshaw & Culbertson discuss the importance of organizations having an employee handbook and examination of provisions in the new ACM Model Employee Handbook.

Handling Difficult Customers (2) -
Difficult customers are a part of the charitable gambling business. This seminar, by Climb Theatre, will provide insights on how to deal with, how to be assertive with , and how to take control of your space with difficult customers.

IRS Issues (1) -
Filing strategies  and requirements  to minimize unrelated business income and gaming excise tax liabilities (reported upon Federal Forms 990-T, 730, and 11-C) will be reviewed by Terry O'Reilly and Barbara Beltrand of Larson Allen Weishair & Co. Also, to be covered: problem areas with new applications for tax-exempt status (for booster groups, sports clubs, fire relief associations); current and upcoming audit initiatives.

Legislative Panel (1) -
A panel discussion by Minnesota Legislators on charitable gambling and other Minnesota gambling issues.

Lobbying At The Grassroots Level (2) -
This seminar by charitable gambling industry lobbyists will look at how organizations and their members can and should be involved in the lobbying process. There is no doubt that an effective grassroots lobbying effort will be the key to obtaining charitable gambling tax relief in the future. See how you can help!!!

Securing Your Site (2) -
A presentation by industry experts on steps you and your organization can take to make sure that your site is secure.

Stress On The Job & Personal Growth (1) -
A look at how to deal with stress on the job and how it effects your personal growth.

The number after the seminar title is the number of times the topic will be offered. Seminar tickets are only available
on-site and are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.