The long corridor linking the Global Gaming Expo (G2E) Asia trade show to the conference portion of the event is to be filled with exhibitors this year. Josephine Lee, senior vice president of organiser Reed Exhibitions Greater China, gave the news in a media briefing on Wednesday.
The announcement was part of an update on the planning for the event, which is co-organised by the American Gaming Association. The 2015 edition will be held from May 19 to 21 in CotaiExpo at the Venetian Macao.
“We have already exceeded last year’s scale in terms of square metres,” stated Ms Lee, speaking on the sidelines of the media briefing.
“We expect the show will take up the two halls – Hall A and Hall B – and in addition we will take up the whole atrium area – the corridor. So there will be exhibits in the corridor. So the minute you finish the conference, you step out and within 20 steps you will be at the exhibition.”
In July, Reed said that G2E Asia 2014 – also held at CotaiExpo – had covered a record breaking 8,640 square metres (93,000 sq feet), up 16 percent from 2013.
Last year’s event also attracted more than 8,000 daily attendees – a 36-percent increase compared to the 2013 edition, Reed had reported. So far this year the exhibitions specialist is expecting an approximately 15 percent improvement on the 2014 attendance.
“Last year we had close to 8,800 visitors. This year we expect about 10,000,” Ms Lee stated on Wednesday. She said that would include more visitors from outside Greater China, including a 20-strong delegation from Resorts World Sentosa, a Singapore casino resort operated by Genting Singapore Plc. There will also be – as of Wednesday – at least 35 first time exhibitors.
New and improved
Ms Lee further stated that Reed had also confirmed 2015’s keynote speakers. They include at least one high-profile industry name from outside Macau that hasn’t previously given a G2E Asia keynote speech, she added, saying there would be a public announcement in the next few weeks.
Other confirmed attendees include Tom Arasi, president and chief operating officer of Bloomberry Resorts Corp, developer and operator of Solaire Resort and Casino in Manila. Mr Arasi was also the inaugural president and chief executive of Marina Bay Sands Pte Ltd, operator of Las Vegas Sands Corp’s Marina Bay Sands casino resort in Singapore.
Another notable attendee this year is Andrew MacDonald, senior vice president and chief casino officer, global gaming operations, Las Vegas Sands Corp. Prior to joining the casino operator, Mr MacDonald was managing director and co-global head of Macquarie Capital Ltd, a leading Australian investment bank. He has also held senior and management executive positions in leading gaming companies including Malaysia’s Genting Bhd.
Events featured at G2E 2015 include an iGaming summit with a pavilion “triple the size” of last year, stated Ms Lee. She added that there would be at least one speaker from a national lottery association in China, discussing China lottery regulations and developments. The subject is topical, after in late February the Chinese authorities suspended online sales of mainland lottery products.
In two weeks another feature for 2015 – ‘My G2E Asia Network’ – will go live on the event’s official website. The mobile communications application promises to help vendors and buyers connect even before they get to the show.
In a 2015 first, the Macau International Clubbing Show will be part of G2E Asia and will have a ‘DJ Festival’ to be held at Club Cubic, City of Dreams, Melco Crown Entertainment Ltd’s flagship resort. The line up of DJs is yet to be announced.
Ms Lee stated: “We have already signed up 30 clubbing industry customers, dedicated to a range of products including food and beverage, energy drinks, equipment suppliers and digital services for club promotion and lighting specialists.”
