Meet the SORCE staff
January 21, 2010 by Renata Follmann · Leave a Comment
When organizations on campus need a place to create signs, design flyers or organize a booth, they all come to one place Read more
Meet the Gaming Management Association
November 20, 2009 by Nate Silva · Leave a Comment
In Las Vegas, gaming is never in short supply. So the odds that UNLV would have its own organization dedicated to the industry synonymous with the Las Vegas experience are high.
The Gaming Management Association is dedicated to providing students first-hand experience and connecting them to three areas of gaming: academics, research and industry. GMA is open to all UNLV students and there is no charge to become a member.
Meetings are once a month at the International Gaming Institute inside the Stan Fulton Building.
Whether your major is in hotel management or political science, GMA is a great organization to get acquainted with the gaming industry.
The members don’t play their cards close to their chest, so read on for what they have to share about their experience with GMA.
President Daniel Merritt
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What is the GMA to you?
It is a great opportunity to network with leaders of the industry and network with fellow students…We teach each other how the games are played and let students practice playing, and dealing if they are brave enough.
What are the benefits for club members?
Networking is one of the great benefits for the members. We get to meet some powerful people [like] Tim Poster, former owner of the Golden Nugget.
Vice President Anastasia Camras
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What are the benefits for club members?
Members learn not only about the gaming industry but also things specific to their interest in it. We have a great supervisor who is very active and available to students.
The best part about being in GMA is…
The strong connection members create with us, the exec. board, guest speakers, other members and other clubs. As a starting association, we are constantly evolving and are looking to our members on how they feel this association should be shaped.
Director of Public Relations Quynh Dam
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What got you interested in GMA?
Working with GMA helps me [stay up to date with] the most recent activities inthe gaming industries… GMA makes me more suitable [for] this industry by helping me develop professional skills and self-esteem.
The best part about being in GMA is…
Your dream of working for the most luxury casino in Las Vegas will come true soon!
Director of Development Dane Terry
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What got you interested in GMA?
All the opportunities that are available to do within gaming. There are many directions one can go with a Bachelor’s degree in gaming management from UNLV.
The best part about being in GMA is….
The opportunity to provide [students] with unique chances to meet and learn from key people [and] expose them to the gaming industry.
Secretary/Treasurer Matthew Cheng
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What got you interested in GMA?
The idea that membership would be a great networking tool in the industry-an area I am not terribly talented in. Through the GMA, however, the networking automatically comes to me…I was given an opportunity to speak with [the] director of slots marketing at the Wynn.
The best part about being in GMA is….
The on-site tours… Steve Cyr, the senior director of player development at the Hard Rock… and a UNLV graduate [provided us with] an on-site tour of the Hard Rock. This included comped dinner and drinks at the Pink Taco, a VIP tour of the Hard Rock’s most exclusive suites, an inside look into their planned expansions. We were then given private skybox seats at the Joint for Carlos Santana’s show, Supernatural. The night finished off with a free pass into Wasted Space. None of this would have been possible if I was not a member of the GMA.
Founder and Faculty Advisor Jeff L. Voyles
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What got you interested in GMA?
I have been studying, teaching and working in the gaming industry for 17 years watching and working to see industry and academics come closer together over that time. It only seemed natural for this type of academic association be a part of the relationship with the industry – a meeting point to help academics and industry to continue to grow closer together.
The best part about being in GMA is….
Working with such passionate, dedicated and prepared students. I am continuously impressed by the students of the GMA and their professionalism. They have maximized their opportunities by joining GMA and becoming involved. It is a pleasure working with the GMA Executive Board and watch them take this organization to the next level every semester.
Director of Finance Kevin Pacpaco
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What is the GMA to you?
[It’s] an organization that I feel I truly belong to…a place to have fun, meet new people who have the same passion and drive that you do.In short, the GMA is pathway to the gaming industry.
What got you interested?
Back when I was a freshman all the way until I was a junior, I was always on the fence about which major I wanted to be in… As I took more and more classes, I began to see this industry made more money than many other industry around the world. With my love for gaming and the perfect school to attend with a major in gaming management, I found my calling in life.
Director of IT and Graphic Design Pak Szeto
What is the GMA to you?
As an international student, GMA is not only a place to network, but another chance to learn more Vegas culture.
What got you interested in GMA?
It is not only an academics association but it can also be an entertainment club. We are studying one of the most profitable entertainment industries in the world. For some associations, there may be just a few options that can offer entertainment to members. For us, we can easily combine entertainment factors in any events.
