GGRAsia – G2E 2014 on course for big attendance

G2E 2014 on course for big attendance

Sep 30, 2014 Newsdesk Industry Talk, Latest News, World

The total number of people exhibiting at and visiting this year’s Global Gaming Expo (G2E) could at least match last year’s record numbers. That’s based on the rate of pre-registration, one of the two co-organisers said on Monday.

In conference industry jargon, the combined number of attendees and exhibitors is known as the “buyers”.

“Last year we had 26,000 buyers. This year we are tracking 4 percent ahead [of this time last year] in pre-registration,” Nancy Walsh (pictured, left), president, North America, for Reed Exhibitions said at a preview press conference in Las Vegas.

The pre-registration count as of lunchtime on Monday on Las Vegas was “19,000 to 20,000”, said Ms Walsh.

The event, comprising seminars and a trade show for gaming industry suppliers, allied industries and this year also online gaming providers, runs from Tuesday to October 2 at the Sands Expo and Convention Center on the Las Vegas Strip.

Ms Walsh, who has worked with G2E Las Vegas since its launch in 2001, said the event has grown from 133,000 square feet (12,356 sq metres) in 2001 with 375 exhibitors, to a production covering nearly 300,000 sq feet this year, with a likely 480-plus exhibitors.

Other innovations this year include one- or two-day passes for those that wish to sample the event rather than attend all three days; sections for the hospitality and food and beverage sectors to reflect the growing global influence of the so-called integrated resort model for casino properties; and guides “every couple of hundred feet” with ‘Ask me’ signs, to help people navigate, said Ms Walsh.

Ron Rosenbaum (pictured, right), chief operating officer of the show’s other organiser, the American Gaming Association, said that on Tuesday Las Vegas time, the first day of the trade exhibition, Geoff Freeman president and chief executive of the association “will make a major announcement…that highlights just how many jobs our industry supports”.