G2E tenth anniversary set to rock the desert

g2e-2010Around this time next week if you happen to be in Vegas it’s likely you’ll still be partying the night away, the previous day’s conference events a distant memory. You may even be lucky enough to find yourself on the tablog, and the most fortunate will be given a place amongst the infamous industry DAFs. Not that you’ll remember even seeing anyone take your photo – let alone talk to you.

Always remember though – what happens in Vegas…stays in Vegas (or on the tablog)

Disregarding all those parties though, there’s conference business to take care of. This year the annual Global Gaming Expo (G2E) celebrates its tenth birthday, taking place from 16th – 18th November at the Las Vegas Convention Centre. The event is expected to attract as many as 26,000 visitors this year – the making of one hell of a party I’m sure you’ll agree.

I know what you’re thinking though. Apart from the parties, why should I spend three days at an expo in the middle of the desert?

520 exhibitors, including 87 from countries outside the USA, setting up on the 250,000 square feet of show floor space should be enough in itself. Imagine the opportunity to literally be in the presence of someone from almost anything you can think of when it comes to gaming, and they’ll be here.

If all this wasn’t enough though there’s the conference itself that will feature a number of festivities celebrating the expo reaching the big “one oh”. The expo’s ribbon cutting ceremony on the morning of the 16th will be the first of these, with attendees encouraged to enjoy the 10th anniversary lounge for the entirety of the expo. This could be where you find yourself supping on a cocktail with Paris Hilton – have to wait and see on that one.

Four educational pavilions will be set out for the guests to learn more about the industry and what the future holds. They will look at Technology, Casino Design, Security & Surveillance, and new this year is the iGaming pavilion. In addition to this will be a Global Markets Forum looking at gaming jurisdictions round the world from Latin America to Macau. Keynote speeches will be another place this conference shines though.

Amongst them is Gary Loveman, chairman, president, and CEO of Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc. who will discuss false and misleading claims about gambling on the Wednesday afternoon. Before this the senior editor at-large of Fortune, Geoff Colvin looks at economic issues specifically concerned with casinos, on the first afternoon of the conference.

Later on Wednesday Jon Ralston will moderate a state of the industry keynote on gaming legends. The closing treat for attendees will be a round table on Native American gaming, featuring many of the key heads from the ever-important part of the Native American gambling industry. This takes place on Thursday afternoon.

Elsewhere the North Hall will play host to food and beverage sector that is increasingly important to the industry’s bottom line. In addition, there will be an Entertainment Arena introducing attendees to all manner of new technologies.

So if you’re in Vegas next week, or even if you’re not, make an effort to attend what is sure to be another can’t miss event for the gambling industry.