Poker powers to converge at WPC

They may be competitors in the poker industry, but World Poker Tour President Steve Lipscomb and World Series of Poker Commissioner Jeffery Pollack will combine forces to deliver the opening keynote address of the World Poker Congress in November.

"With Steve Lipscomb and Jeffery Pollack, we will present two of the individuals most responsible for the recent poker boom," said Sue Schneider, president of the River City Group, one of the organizers of the WPC.

"With their unique perspective and wisdom, they will examine the global reach of the game and how it is penetrating international markets."

Lipscomb is the founder and CEO of WPT Enterprises Inc. Not only is he an award-winning producer and director of television and film, he has extensive experience filming professional poker.

His resume includes producing and directing On the Inside of the World Series of Poker for the Discovery channel, filming 2001 Tournament of champions of Poker, and creating Cruising' to a Million for the Travel Channel before creating the World Poker Tour.

The WPT has grown incredibly since its first season and is now seen in more than 116 countries and territories around the world. It has become much more than just a poker show with a variety of licenses that include apparel, poker tables, games and more.

Pollack is newer to poker, taking on the new position of WSOP commissioner in 2006 just before that year's tournament series. He is also vice president of sports and entertainment marketing for Harrah's Entertainment, but his top priority has been to grow the popularity of the World Series of Poker.

He is a two-time Emmy Award winner and seasoned media executive who plans to put his talent and experience from other sports ventures, such as his previous experience as managing director of broadcasting and new media for NASCAR, to work to further establish the WSOP as the number one poker brand.

Lipscomb and Pollack will be responsible for jointly discuss the current state of the game and what the future has in store for it as the keynote speakers for the WPC.

"The World Poker Congress is the premier conference for the business of poker globally," said Roger Gros, publisher for the other producer of the WPC.

"There is clearly a synergy between online poker rooms and real-world poker, and the WPC examines how to capitalize on the growth of the game no matter which side of the equation your business operates."

The conference, taking place Nov. 29 and 30 in St. Julian's, Malta, will feature two tracks dedicated tot eh different forms of the game as well as discussion sessions featuring topics that appeal to each audience.

Participants will get to discuss issues such as marketing your poker room, player development, legislation and economics in Europe, staging tournaments, building a player base, business strategies for a quickly maturing industry, fraud and security, mergers and acquisitions and more.

More information and registration can be found at WorldPokerCongress.com.

courtesy of Sarah Polson

News Added: 28 July, 2007

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