It’s time once again for the biggest conference and trade show in the gaming industry to land in Las Vegas, Global Gaming Expo (G2E). As they do every year, the folks at G2E have created a package that will be attractive to anyone in the gaming industry, from dealers to company chairmen. Held at the Las Vegas Convention Center, November 13-15, G2E 2007 has responded to past comments of its attendees and crafted a truly innovative conference program and dynamic trade show floor.

The show floor features more than 750 exhibitors showcasing their products and services in more than 330,000 square feet of space—more than any other gaming industry trade show in the world. And there is plenty new this year, including an expanded “Eye in the Sky” Security and Surveillance Pavilion, expanded Technology Pavilion and new tools to help attendees get more out of their G2E experience.

G2E also has become world-renowned for providing the best educational opportunities in the industry, and this year is no exception. The 2007 conference program boasts 150 sessions with insightful, high-level speakers from around the world, and 15 cutting-edge conference tracks. In fact, G2E 2007 debuts five new conference tracks: Corporate Social Responsibility, Entertainment, Human Resources, Players Clubs & Incentives, as well as Wild Card sessions that look at topics that cross multiple disciplines and don’t fit into existing tracks. Also new are 12 unique Signature Series panels, comprised of the “must-attend” sessions in each track highlighting the most critical issues or exceptional speakers in that discipline.

In addition to providing forums for the world’s gaming leaders through its conference program, G2E also is committed to nurturing new industry leaders, and this year’s program will feature an all-new G2E Leadership Academy. The two-day program—led by experts in the leadership development field—is designed to empower the next generation of gaming industry executives with the skills and training they will need to be effective leaders.

As always G2E has assembled a stellar lineup of keynote events, which will kick off Tuesday with Emmy Award-winner Frank Deford, oft-cited as the nation’s finest sportswriter. On Wednesday, American Gaming Association President and CEO Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr. will be moderating the popular State of the Industry panel, focusing on one of the most buzzed-about topics in the international gaming industry, Internet gambling. “Internet Gambling at the Crossroads” will bring together gaming industry CEOs, online gambling representatives and members of Congress to discuss the various legislative and regulatory topics surrounding this issue and debate where this emerging sector is headed. The elite list of panelists includes U.S. Rep. Shelley Berkley (D-Nevada); former New York Senator Alfonse D’Amato, chairman of the Poker Players Alliance; J. Terrence Lanni, chairman and CEO of MGM Mirage and Gary Loveman, president, CEO and chairman of Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc.
On Thursday, a panel of Native American leaders and government representatives will give attendees an inside perspective on the top federal issues affecting tribal gaming operations today.

Courtney Muller, vice president with Reed Exhibitions, which produces G2E along with the AGA, says attendees interested in educational opportunities in Las Vegas have an edge.

“We are also happy to be working with the UNLV International Gaming Institute on two exciting programs,” she explains. “UNLV is again endorsing the G2E Conference Program and will offer an official certificate of completion for those who attend. In addition, we are happy to partner with the university on an all new scholarship program to bring 25 gaming/hospitality students to G2E and further their knowledge as the industry’s future leaders.”

Middle managers are urged to attend Monday’s Training and Development Institute, which gets into the nuts and bolts of gaming.

G2E understands that the mid-level managers of today become the executives of tomorrow. That’s why G2E instituted its Training and Development Institute, aimed at that segment. It’s a potpourri of knowledge suited for employees and executives from entry level to company CEO.

Numerous gaming areas are broken down and studied.  Player’s Clubs & Incentives, for example, focuses on the digital direction, the next generation of database marketing. Is your casino practicing direct-mail marketing? Have your web and e-mail marketing efforts become afterthoughts? Attend this session and learn how to expense, increase the relevance of communications and deepen customer loyalty via the web.

The Gaming Standards Association sponsors a track that gets into the nitty gritty of slot systems and how machines interact with them. Learn about new technologies, server-based gaming and other technology issues facing the industry today.

The Security and Surveillance track explores the 70 “unethical” little things employees are doing that cost properties and customers millions of dollars, controlling the fun atmosphere at the nightclubs and ultra-lounges, conducting in-house investigations and other issues.

Food and beverage has always been an important area of the gaming industry, which is reflected at the show by a special section called F&B at G2E.

One of the industry’s skyrocketing areas gains a premier showcase. Executive chefs, mixologists and fashion coordinators (yes, there’s a fashion show) are among the stars of this unique exhibit.

It might make you hungry, thirsty and in the mood to be entertained.

F&B at G2E, a culinary marketplace for the gaming industry, shows off the skyrocketing influence of food and beverage within gaming. Premier F&B exhibitors showcase their products and F&B gaming executives learn the latest trends during conference sessions. They will also enjoy daily special events, cocktail and culinary demonstrations, and a Wine & Spirits Garden, sponsored by Southern Wine & Spirits.

This year’s exhibit hall is expanded and you’ll see more than 120 F&B vendors and suppliers showcasing food, beverage, linens, china, glassware, desserts, wine and spirits.
For more information on G2E or to register, go to www.globalgamingexpo.com. And be prepared to be amazed!

By Patrick Roberts

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