Steve Rittvo
Principal

A veteran of over 1000 planning studies, Steve and his partners founded The Innovation Group in 1993 and built the firm into the nation's premier provider of consulting services for the gaming, leisure and hospitality industries. As Innovation Group chairman and CEO, Steve is principal-in-charge, providing overall policy direction, technical oversight and manpower allocations for the company.

In the course of his career, Steve has participated in gaming studies for clients ranging from major gaming companies, such as Caesars Entertainment, Wynn Resorts, MGM Mirage and Harrah's Entertainment, to riverboat and mid-cap companies to Native American casinos large and small. Government bodies around the world have asked for his analysis, as have Wall Street and the investment banking community.

Steve's experience and depth of understanding of the industry have made him a sought-after resource for his opinions and insights. He's been a featured speaker at over 30 gaming conferences. He co-authored a book on the gaming industry published by University of Nevada, Las Vegas. In addition, he is often called in as a qualified expert witness in gaming project feasibility and financial analysis. The U. S. Department of the Interior recently engaged Steve as an expert witness to testify before a NAFTA tribunal, an adjunct of the World Court, in an international dispute involving a financial valuation of a casino operation.

As a current member of the Casino Advisory Committee of the Casino Resort Advisory Council of Tulane University, Steve is involved in cultivating educational programs to support the region's rebounding gaming markets. He is also on the Advisory Committee of the School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management at the University of Denver.

Steve holds a bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering and a master's in Transportation Planning and Engineering from the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn. He has also completed coursework toward his doctoral degree at the University of New Orleans, College of Urban and Public Affairs.

Steve Rittvo's legendary career in gaming and hospitality consulting has taken another major step forward with the formation of Innovation Project Development. His involvement in client projects is now broadened through this ability to move concepts forward with the team of development and construction management professionals he has assembled in owner's representation project development firm.