With its roots in helping Iowa’s agricultural community and spurring economic development and job growth within the state, Prairie Meadows is one of only a few nonprofit casinos in the United States today. Featuring the Meadows Events Center, a hotel within the casino, along with three restaurants and its own loyalty program, Prairie Meadows has much to offer to its customers.
We caught up with Senior Vice President/COO Ann Atkin to learn more about her career, what makes Prairie Meadows unique, her favorite part about G2E, and more.
Can you give a brief overview of your career and what led you to where you are today?
In the span of my 34 years in the gaming industry, I’ve had the privilege of working in four gaming jurisdictions. All of the companies I’ve been associated with during that time period—Harrah’s, Players Island, and now Prairie Meadows—have had extraordinary learning experiences. As Senior VP/Chief Operating Officer at Prairie Meadows, I’ve watched our nonprofit casino grow into an entity that’s currently achieving over $200 million in revenues annually. I’m very proud of that.
My advice for a young person considering a career in the gaming industry would be to first take advantage of every opportunity that’s provided to you. I was lucky to have fantastic mentors for the length of my career, and they’ve always pushed me to the next level. Choose a mentor who will encourage you to be your best and who wants the best for you in return. I never hesitated to apply for leadership opportunities, and if I got them, I worked hard, asked questions, and listened.
Describe your day in numbers?
24/7 operations are simply a way of life for me now. I’ve always worked for round-the-clock entities, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I’ve been very fortunate to have great managers and dedicated team members, which has made my job easy. When you surround yourself with the best, you rise alongside them. It’s inevitable—at least it was for me. But it’s a mindset. Determination to always be better and to spend your time in similar company is a win/win. Prairie Meadows is the number one casino and tourist attraction in Iowa, and that means we set the bar very high. We work to surpass our best every single day and it shows.
What can you tell us about Prairie Meadows and what makes it unique?
Prairie Meadows has played an important role in central Iowa since we opened in 1989. That’s because we are a nonprofit, locally-managed business—one of only two nonprofit casinos in the nation. We began with the goal of lessening the burden of government by promoting economic development, jobs, agriculture, and tourism in the state of Iowa. As a licensed 501(c)(4) nonprofit corporation, Prairie Meadows supports a broad range of nonprofit proposals and projects that support arts and culture, education, economic development, and human services. We fulfill our mission through our scholarship program, Community Betterment Grant program, Legacy Grant program, in-kind donations, and sponsorships. This private/public partnership that we have with Polk County was set up so that our profits after expenses go back into the community for the betterment of the people of Iowa. This makes Prairie Meadows very different from for-profit casinos. To date, we’ve given back over $1.8 billion. That’s a really unique business model, and I couldn’t be prouder of being associated with such a generous and forward-thinking entity.
What is your favorite part of your job and why?
As an officer of Prairie Meadows, I get great satisfaction from being able to mentor employees and watch them advance in their careers. It’s so important and fulfilling for me to help people become successful and then in turn pay it forward by training, leading, and inspiring the next level of executives.
What’s in store for your property in the future?
We’re working on an impressive master plan that will continue to foster our mission to give back, but to also continue the growth we’ve seen here. Being the number one entertainment experience in Iowa isn’t something we take lightly. Implementing this master plan and expanding our offerings is so energizing for me and everyone who works here. It’s an exceptionally exciting time to be part of Prairie Meadows.
What is your favorite piece of advice to give gaming industry professionals early in their career?
Work hard. Ask a lot of questions and really listen to the answers. And always, always take advantage of opportunities when they come your way.
What are the top three trends you see leading the transformation of the gaming industry?
Table games and slots technology advances are where I see the growth and opportunity. Hospitality is opportunity for revenue growth, as well. Consumer needs are constantly evolving, which means the casino experience needs to keep up and anticipate what comes next.
What are your most memorable moments from a G2E show?
New technology and advancement in casino equipment.
What was your favorite part about G2E 2019, and what were the most stand-out innovations or technologies from the show?
Point of sale for restaurants, interactive games, and interactive players clubs on your iPhone
What are you most looking forward to at G2E 2020?
The innovative new technology and how it will impact the entire gaming industry. Big things are happening, and we plan to be a part of them.
Learn more about Prairie Meadows here.
Pre-Register for G2E 2020 here.