(As posted on the Club's Message Board...)

With thanks to Mike Skelton, the MoGH has reached out to the Sahara Casino in their efforts to establish a curated, Sahara memorabilia display at the Lobby of the re-branded SLS to "SAHARA". Despite several previous (un-answered) emails, submitted to the SLS/Sahara trying to establish another MoGH Milestone Marker along the Trail of the MoGH, I was pleased to get Mike's message about a Facebook posting from the Sahara Social Media Team, looking for memorabilia.

In short, the posting was a 'Call for Sahara Collectibles' to be used in a "curated" exhibit at the Lobby of the Sahara. The public was being asked to provide pictures of Sahara collectibles from over the years, and if the project designers were interested, they would contact you after the 20th of this month. It should be noted that the Sahara was looking to do this as a "curated" display. The MoGH's Milestone Markers, with the exception of the Mob Museum, are all MoGH curated. The participation of the MoGH, where an other entity is the curator, requests additional steps and agreements for MoGH participation and also removes the MoGH from the content selection process.

The Sahara had a deadline of 17 November for submissions of pictures, which did not allow for such discussions. Since I had just removed the Sahara Exhibit at the Neon Museum a week earlier, for which all content was from my personal collection, and knowing I could personally speak for any item within, I responded to the Sahara's 'Call for Sahara Collectibles', yet, in doing so, I was inclusive of representing the MoGH and had access to additional content.

I received a reply the next day, as follows:

Thank you so much for taking the time to share photos of your collectibles with us! We will be reviewing all memorabilia and collectibles through 11/20 and will reach out shortly after if our designer is interested in learning more about your items...

That same day, I received a contact from Club Member Mike Petty, also telling me of the Sahara's posting, and the following day, via the CCA's Facebook page, we received a posting directly from the Sahara's Social Media Team. I responded to that contact, which cross-referenced to the submission that I made previously, which was acknowledged by the Team Lead. The following day, Club member Barry Hauptman, also informed me of the call for Sahara material. I have since received additional notifications of the "Call" by other Club members, including the post by John Zoesch on TheChipBoard. I thank everyone that has sent me such notifications and I am pleased that so many members have the insight to take these actions!

Where we are now... I am hoping to hear back from the Sahara Social Media Team, after tomorrow's closing date. Ideally, the MoGH can participate in the Sahara Project, and if so, I will be reaching out to our membership, in search of Sahara collectibles!

Jim Follis
Exhibits and Events Director
Museum of Gaming History