We asked tribal leaders to discuss their tribes’ top priorities and how gaming supports those objectives; the role innovation plays in shaping decisions across their gaming and hospitality portfolios; and their approaches to leadership development to foster long-term stability and growth. Here is what Ponca Tribe Chairman Earl Howe had to say…
Earl “Trey” Howe III, Chairman
Ponca Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma
Fancy Dance Casino – Perry, OK
fancydancecasino.net / ponca-nsn.gov
PRIORITIES: Our tribe’s top priorities are cultural preservation, economic development, and the continued protection and strengthening of tribal sovereignty. These priorities are closely connected and guide our decisions as we work to build a stronger future for the Ponca people.
Our gaming enterprise plays an important role in supporting these goals by generating revenue that we are able to reinvest directly into our people and our community. Gaming revenues help fund Ponca language classes and cultural programs, ensuring that our language, traditions, and teachings are preserved and passed on to future generations.
At the same time, gaming provides resources that allow us to expand and diversify our economic development efforts. This includes investments in enterprises such as our convenience store and custom apparel shop, creating additional revenue streams, employment opportunities, and greater economic independence for the tribe.
Ultimately, these investments strengthen our tribal sovereignty and self-sufficiency. The more we can generate and reinvest our own resources, the better positioned we are to determine our own future, provide opportunities for our people, preserve our culture, and exercise our sovereignty for generations to come.
INNOVATION: Fancy Dance Casino utilizes cutting-edge technology and innovative ideas to enhance operational efficiency for our guests, resulting in positive guest experiences. We’ve taken an aggressive approach to transform our gaming ecosystem to one of secure, resilient, and robust ability. With the guest in mind, we’ve attempted to make our guest engagement platforms as frictionless as possible to provide a desirable experience. Utilizing AI technologies, predictive analytics, and proximity-based marketing has also allowed our team to become more strategic in its player acquisition and retention. AI has enabled us to better understand player behavior and what players desire in their gaming experience. We now understand what guests expect in a loyalty program that encompasses fantastic promotions and rewards that match their expected value. Predictive analytics has provided us with the opportunity to optimize our floor layout based on player traffic patterns and other insightful data. Proximity-based marketing has now given us the ability to engage mobile users through push notifications and promotional offers. We understand that not only do our guests appreciate less friction and efficiency, but they also expect us to elevate every aspect of their gaming journey.
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT: Our tribe approaches leadership development by making a deliberate investment in building strong, capable, and forward-thinking leaders who are prepared to guide our organization into the future. We recognize that long-term stability and growth require more than managing the needs of today – it requires developing leaders who understand our values, work effectively together, and are willing to make bold decisions for future generations.
