The Global Gaming Expo, the world’s premier international gaming trade show and conference, will be held at the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas September 27-29–three weeks before Las Vegas hosts its first-ever presidential debate and five weeks before voters go to the polls to elect a new president. Naturally, said Geoff Freeman, president and chief executive officer of G2E’s sponsor, the American Gaming Association, the politics of gaming will be on the agenda. Freeman said topics will include where the candidates stand on gaming industry issues and how the industry will be affected by who is elected in a variety of races.
For 2016, Freeman said, “We have done a top-to-bottom review of all things G2E. What works, what doesn’t, what needs to be modified. We want to make this event as timely, as compelling and as attractive as it needs to be. I’m proud of what our team has done to build this thing up from scratch, particularly around the educational conference.”
Education is a main aspect of G2E, which is expected to attract more than 26,000 attendees. Therefore, the convention will offer dozens of panel discussions and seminars on topics such as e-sports, online gaming in the United States, attract millennial customers, tribal interests, gaming policy, emerging gaming methods, integrated resort experience, career development and more.
Freeman also said keynote talks will be presented all three days by marquee names in the gaming, sports and business fields. He said attendees may be surprised at the caliber of experts who have been invited to speak.
Additionally, for the first time, National Indian Gaming Association Chairman Ernest Stevens Jr. and Freeman will share the stage to the mutual interests of the casino industry’s two key sectors. “I’m not naive and I realize there’s still a lot of great competition taking place between tribes and commercial gaming entities. There’s consternation out there over several issues. But at the end of the day, when we look at a lot of the big issues, there’s more where we align than what divides us. Our relationship with the tribal community has never been stronger and I think that bodes well for the future of the entire gaming industry,” Freeman said.
The trade-show floor will feature the usual abundance—if not more—of the latest in gaming technology. Freeman noted one innovation on the floor will be the integrated resort concept, which debuted at last year’s show in a side room off the trade-show floor. In fact, this year, he said, the Integrated Resort Experience will anchor one end of the main show floor, showcasing products, services and technologies to attract more new guests to stay longer, play longer and drive more revenue per guest, Freeman said.
“We’re very excited about the growth of the integrated resort experience. Any casino you walk into today is providing a multitude of entertainment options to their customers and it’s important that our event do the same,” Freeman said. “They’re also interested in the latest development in food and lodging and clubs and we’re providing a one-stop shop for buyers to look around at those things. It will become a central focus of G2E.”
AGA Vice President of Industry Services Andrew Ortale said, “The gaming industry is entering an exciting era with new trends, technology and legislation that will power the $240 billion sector into the future. G2E delivers a platform for all gaming-related businesses to equip themselves with the tools that will allow them to thrive for years to come.”
Registration for the 2016 G2E exhibit hall and G2E seminars is open at www.globalgamingexpo.com.
