As Korbi Carrison preps for this year for the 25th edition of the Global Gaming Expo, she is asked how many people were at the first edition at the Las Vegas Convention Center in 2001.
Carrison, RX USA Event Vice President G2E, doesn’t have the attendance figures from 25 years ago.
But she can remember – Carrison attended the first event – the faces and people who participated.
“What’s interesting is that I think there are more people than you would realize that have attended all of them,” Carrison tells CDC Gaming. “That’s what we talk about. And when we talk to lots of different stakeholders, it’s amazing how many people say, ‘I’ve been to all of them’ because they’re so dedicated to the industry. This industry is really a passionate industry, full of professionals that have committed much of their career to the casino gaming industry, and that’s really fun for us to see.”
This year’s G2E takes place October 6-9 at the Venetian Convention Center & Expo in Las Vegas. Registration opened June 25.
This year’s schedule represents the gaming industry’s diverse interests. Education panels scheduled range from Strategic Approaches to Omnichannel Game Launches to Strengthening Brand Identity in Expanding Regional Gaming Markets. Also on the schedule are LGBTQ+ in Leadership: The Future of Gaming and Tariff Tactics: Navigating Rising Costs in Gaming.
One increasing point of emphasis is responsible gaming. Carrison, noting a partnership with the International Center for Responsible Gaming, says that as gaming has evolved, so has G2E’s commitment to RG.
“It has been a cornerstone of G2E,” Carrison says. “The way (RG) looks at G2E has evolved with the times. I think that we are seeing now, more than ever, conversations that are led by responsible gaming.”
Noting that G2E is a partnership with the American Gaming Association, Carrison said the AGA sets the tone for education sessions and what is covered and promoted during the four-day event. But G2E did post a call for content this year, and there were suggestions for content about sweepstakes gaming and prediction models, which will be covered during this year’s convention.
But most of all, Carrison envisions this year’s event as celebration.
“It’s important to commemorate this special year,” Carrison said, “and I think that our whole team is approaching it with excitement. There’s a little bit of a different energy around it, because it is such a milestone. And with that, we are approaching the year and the show this year, with the same commitment.
“There’s so much in the works, because it’s such a special year to commemorate,” Carrison adds.
