LAS VEGAS (March 14, 2007) – The 11th annual BingoWorld Confernence & Expo, presented here last week by Ascend Media Gaming Group, was marked by a double-digit increase in attendance over the previous year’s edition. Held at the new South Point Hotel, Casino and Spa, more than 500 conference attendees were treated to several new events and the return of popular programs from years’ past.

Without a doubt the highlight of the conference was the debut of Bingo Mexico, a half-day seminar that explored recent developments in the bingo and gaming market in Mexico. Co-produced by Ascend and Harrison & Montoya Associates, the conference attracted a packed house as attendees heard industry leaders discuss Mexico’s potential.

“Gaming proponents in Mexico were buoyed recently by a Supreme Court of Justice decision that validated regulations issued in 2004 that updated the country’s 1947 gaming law and essentially allowed for electronic bingo gaming devices,” said Charles Anderer, Ascend’s director of trade events. “As a result, there is a lot of interest in Mexico, which was proven by the big crowd here.”

Speaker Eduardo Daniel Jimenez Gonzalez, former ambassador for Mexico and international business and financial consultant, told attendees that there is a tremendous opportunity for companies pursuing gaming in Mexico, especially as other economic mainstays such as the oil industry and tourism face slowdowns. “This is a very good business. Oil prices are down. Tourism is down. I see this as an industry with big potential.”

Bingo Mexico was just one offshoot of the successful attempt by BingoWorld organizers to make this year’s conference bigger and better than ever. Another new event this year was Bingo University, and both the marketing and accounting classes drew standing-room only audiences eager to learn in a hands-on workshop format. Combined with the return of Sellin’ Paper and Callin’ Balls, a popular customer service workshop, BingoWorld attendees were able to take away a number of tools necessary to improve their own bingo operations.

“We have worked closely with the bingo industry through the BingoWorld Advisory Board to create these new features at BingoWorld,” said Anderer. “We look forward to building on this year’s successes in our new venue to continue growing the show going forward.”

BingoWorld 2007 was also lucrative for some 45 industry vendors participating in the world’s largest bingo expo. Numerous returning companies and a strong group of first-time exhibitors showed off their products and services to more than 2,000 total conference and expo attendees.