The preparations, ongoing for more than a year, are almost finished. There are still last-minute tasks to complete, items to be checked off lists. And as is the case during such a large undertaking, there will be things that crop up during the days ahead, unexpected and otherwise.
But for RX Event Vice President, G2E Korbi Carrison and the American Gaming Association’s Maureen Beddis, Senior Vice President, Membership & Events, the Global Gaming Expo is ready to open its doors.
As the growing gaming industry presents challenges, Beddis and Carrison are ready to respond.
“I think we’re the envy of a lot of industries because of the way we continue to grow,” Beddis says. “With that growth, comes some challenges. The industry continues to become more and more diverse and innovative.”
“It’s just an exciting opportunity to interface with a talented group of people across the industry, and that keeps us excited here at RX,” says Carrison. “Just continuing to challenge ourselves and see new ways that we can find engagement for people, to find value in G2E, and certainly convening the industry, in a very meaningful way, is exciting for us.”
G2E takes place October 7-10 at the Venetian Expo Center in Las Vegas.
Last year more than 25,000 people from all sectors of the gaming industry attended G2E. A similar turnout is expected this year, as vendors exhibit their newest products and educational sessions provide insights into topics including igaming, sports betting, and Tribal issues.
Last year for the first time, G2E organizers issued a call for content, requesting ideas for sessions at the conference. Carrison reports that the response to the call for content has been “overwhelming.”
“It’s always a challenge to go through every single one of those comments and inputs that we receive because they’re so valuable,” Carrison says. “They’re so wide ranging, not only in topics that people would cover, but also suggestions for speakers that may be new voices to the industry. It’s really a very valuable tool, and I’m really pleased that we’ve done that again this year.”
G2E also provides networking opportunities for attendees, with a space allocated on the tradeshow floor. This year for the first time there will also be a G2E First Timers Meetup at 3 p.m. on Monday, October 7.
“I think these opportunities for networking are unmatched,” Beddis says. “You get to see a few people at other events throughout the year. This is the one event where everyone truly is, whether it be having time to catch up with your peers, industry veterans or potential customers.”
New this year is COLLEQT, a system that allow attendees to gather information from vendors using their phones. Available through the G2E app, it streamlines the information gathering process.
“You don’t need to carry around papers or brochures anymore, or worry about perhaps misplacing a business card,” Carrison says. “That technology puts the power into your hands as an attendee of the event. You can scan a booth, so at the end of the day, at the end of the event, you receive a personalized report with all the information that you’re seeking.”
Also returning this year is the igaming zone. Located in the expo hall near the main stage, it brings together vendors and companies devoted to igaming in one, concentrated space.
“We saw so much incredible activity happening in that space,” Beddis says. “This year, you can expect to see an even bigger igaming zone that will continue to celebrate that growing part of the industry.”
