GGRAsia – G2E Asia 2014 ‘largest ever’: organiser

G2E Asia 2014 ‘largest ever’: organiser

May 19, 2014 Newsdesk Industry Talk, Latest News, Top of the deck

This year’s Global Gaming Expo (G2E) Asia will be the largest ever, says Michael Johnson, industry vice president for G2E events at co-organiser Reed Exhibitions.

The annual trade show and conference event takes place from tomorrow until Thursday at the Venetian Macao. It is co-organised by Reed Exhibitions and the American Gaming Association.

“This will be our largest G2E Asia ever with 160 exhibiting companies representing over 8,500 square metres [91,413 sq. feet] of booth space,” says Mr Johnson. The last time G2E Asia exceeded 8,000 sq. metres was in 2008.

“Those figures include 50 new companies whom were not in the show last year, and all in all we’re showcasing a tradeshow floor that’s over 20 percent larger than just a year ago,” he says. Japanese gaming machine manufacturer Sega Sammy Creation Inc will exhibit for the first time at G2E Asia, while Alfastreet Gaming Instruments is making a return.

Organisers are expecting around 6,500 visitors.

Last year, G2E Asia welcomed 5,851 attendees, an increase of 16 percent over the previous year. A total of 139 companies exhibited there.

Visitors can expect to see a lot of new products at this year’s show, says Mr Johnson. “They’re are approximately 100 new products being introduced this year that we’re aware of, but not all exhibitors announce those details in advance – some like to keep that to themselves so it’s more of a surprise.”

He also highlights the number of high-profile speakers that will attend the three-day conference. Co-chairperson of MGM China Holdings Ltd Pansy Ho Chiu King serves as this year’s conference keynote speaker.

Other high-profile executives speaking include the president of Wynn Macau Ltd Gamal Aziz, MGM China chief executive Grant Bowie and Grant Chum, senior vice president of global gaming strategy for Las Vegas Sands Corp.

The potential legalisation of casinos in Japan has been a hot topic in the global gaming industry in recent months. Mr Johnson says there is a growing interest from Japanese exhibitors and visitors in G2E Asia this year.

“We’re pleased to welcome a very sizable delegation from Japan and will be hosting a private reception for those folks on Wednesday,” he says. “We’re also seeing a lot more interest in exhibit space from Japanese suppliers.”

Mr Johnson adds: “Should the Japanese indeed choose to pursue integrated casino resorts we will in turn pursue a standalone G2E Japan conference in Tokyo.”