The G2E Asia + Asian IR Expo kicked off its three-day run yesterday with an opening ceremony at The Venetian Macao’s Cotai Expo, altogether featuring over 150 brands this year, expecting over 8,000 industry professionals from more than 90 countries and regions.
G2E Asia describes itself as a leading gaming and entertainment marketplace in Asia, while the Asian IR Expo and Summit brings together stakeholders across the integrated resorts, hospitality, and travel industries throughout the region.
The brands are showcasing next generation technology, solutions and digital infrastructure, while a raft of activities are scheduled to take place through tomorrow ranging from networking opportunities to the concurrent “Asian IR Summit” and “G2E Asia Conference” to forums and keynotes.
In his opening remarks, American Gaming Association (AGA) President and CEO Bill Miller highlighted that thousands of industry leaders from around the world are gathered for the three-day event to “exchange ideas, showcase emerging products, and help shape the future of industry”.
Miller noted that the event expects strong attendance in spite of the challenges impacting the exhibition landscape, such as travel restrictions, with the gaming industry continuing to perform and evolve. Highlighting the developments and opportunities in Asia, Miller said: “Here in Asia, resilience has created fresh opportunities with renewed focus on non-gaming investments and broader tourism offerings, reshaping what integrated resorts can become. And the opportunities for growth continue to accelerate”.
Miller also touched on the potential of non-gaming offerings and investments, noting: “What makes places like Las Vegas and Macau such dynamic and diverse destinations are the broader investments in non-gaming offerings and entertainment. Macau’s non-gaming investments in sectors like technology, health and wellness, conferences like G2E, and sports, with the upcoming UFC fight and NBA games later this fall, are all strong examples of how diversified investment can strengthen the broader gaming economy”.
Meanwhile, (RX) Reed Exhibitions Project Director Vera Ng told English-language media on the sidelines of yesterday’s event that among this year’s over 121 exhibiting companies, more than 30 of them are new, while this year’s highlights are mainly technology, AI, robotics and digital innovations and their applications in areas including gaming, hospitality and including one that showcases a live band and mixology that utilises robots.
Ng also told the Post: “Innovation in technology is everywhere”, being important in areas including gaming and integrated resorts, with the event being able to allow participants to explore how these new solutions and technology can enhance their operation efficiency, along with customer experience. “That’s why this will be a highlight and also be important content for our event as well”, also noting industry demand.
Fairgoers explore G2E Asia + Asian IR expo’s products and services at The Venetian Macao’s Cotai Expo. – Photo: Rui Pastorin
