Gaming Expo Asia (G2E Asia), the marketplace for the Asian gaming industry, organised by American Gaming Association and Reed Exhibitions, kicked off its 11th year today with a strong showing of top-level representatives from business, government, and the diplomatic corporations.
Mr. Geoff Freeman, President & CEO, American Gaming Association and Mr. Hu Wei, President, Reed Exhibitions, Greater China & Korea, attending the opening ceremony, were joined by following dignitaries: Mr. Wang Jiabao, Assistant Director-General, Economic Affairs Department of Macao Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in Macau SAR; Mr. Ran Bo, Director of the Policy Research Department, Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Commissioner in Macao SAR; Ms. Gloria Ung, Acting President of Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute; Mr. Paulo Chan, Director of Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau. Macao S.A.R.; Ms. Helena Fernandes, Director of Macau Government Tourism Office; Mr. Kou Hoi In, President of the Board Directors, The Macao Chamber of Commerce; Dr. Wilfred Wong, President of Sands China Ltd; Mr. Grant R. Bowie, Executive Officer and Executive Director of MGM China Holdings Limited; Ms. Linda Chen, President and Executive Director – Wynn Resorts (Macau) S.A.; Dr. Jorge Neto Valente, Group Advisor of Galaxy Entertainment Group; Mr. Marcus Prater, Executive Director, Association with Gaming Equipment Manufacturers; Mr. Gabe Hunterton, Property President, City of Dreams, Macau; and Mr. Ho Hoi Ming, President of Board of Directors, Macao Convention & Exhibition Association.
Larger exhibition area
This year, the show floor area has jumped over 25% to 28,000sqm, with first-time exhibitors making up nearly a third of the 180 exhibitors. Additionally, of the 70+ companies demonstrating new online gaming solutions, 45% are first time participants.
The G2E Asia Conference offer three days of excellent networking and business opportunities. The conference began with a keynote address by Francis Lui, Vice Chairman of Galaxy Entertainment Group, followed by the Asian Markets Forum, which featured a white paper by PricewaterhouseCoopers on how to penetrate the Japanese market.
"This edition of G2E Asia will be a milestone in terms of its effectiveness of bringing people together to exchange views and explore co-operation opportunities that drive development in Asian gaming,” said Josephine Lee, Chief Operating Officer of Reed Exhibitions Greater China. “In addition to the new products launches at the event, we’ve designed a content-rich educational program to equip the Asian gaming industry with the tools and information required to capitalise on current and future business opportunities.”
Networking programmes
Networking programs close out the first day and second day of G2E Asia. Among those are:
- The Asian Gaming Awards, produced by Asia Gaming Brief in association with G2E Asia and The Innovation Group, which recognise operators, regulators, suppliers, and service providers across 14 fields
- “Future Technology Leader Get-Together,” which convenes over 120 emerging technology executives from integrated resorts, suppliers, and government.
