Washington, D.C. – April 17, 2018 – The National Indian Gaming Association will kick off the annual Indian Gaming 2018 Tradeshow and Convention today at the Westgate Resort Casino and Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) in Las Vegas, Nevada and Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association’s (PRCA) 2017 World Champion Team Roper Erich Rogers will appear as a special guest.

Rogers, will join NIGA Chairman Ernie Stevens, Jr., and Native American Stand-up Comedian Tatanka Means as a special guest of the Chairman’s Welcome Reception, which begins today, April 17 at 6:00pm at the Westgate Pool.

He will also be part of the special guests, at the annual Indian Gaming 2018 Tradeshow ribbon cutting event on Thursday, April 19 at the LVCC.  The ribbon cutting will take place at 9:45 am.

Rogers and his partner, team roping legend Cory Petska were crowned the 2017 PRCA World Champion Team Ropers when the dust settled after ten rodeo go-round performances at the 2017 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in December in Las Vegas, Nevada.

NIGA Chairman Ernie Stevens, Jr. said, “We are extremely excited that Erich will be joining us at Indian Gaming 2018 and honor his accomplishment as one of the greatest professional rodeo athletes.” 

Growing up on the Navajo Nation, Erich competed in both ends of the team roping and competed in the steer wrestling event in high school. His love of rodeo runs deep and especially the timed events. Erich has also been roping calves in 2017 in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association which put him sixth in the all-around standings. In his spare time, he has been producing team roping’s in his home state and sharing his knowledge and experience with others.