Speakers lineup for G2E announced

LAS VEGAS -- Attendees of this year’s Global Gaming Expo (G2E) in Las Vegas have the opportunity to hear from the CEOs of the gaming industry’s largest casino companies and equipment manufacturers.

Producers of the G2E, scheduled from Sept. 30-Oct. 2 at the Sands Expo and Convention Center, announced the tradeshow and conference’s speaker list Wednesday.

The highlight events are two exclusive keynote addresses to G2E seminar attendees; Wynn Resorts, Limited Chairman Steve Wynn on on Sept. 30 and Las Vegas Sands Corp. Chairman Sheldon Adelson on Oct. 2.

In addition, two separate “State of the Industry” sessions will be held for all G2E attendees. One session will deal with casino operators and the second session will cover the manufacturing sector.

MGM Resorts International Chairman Jim Murren and Jim Allen, the CEO of Seminole Gaming and chairman of Hard Rock International, will speak at the session on operators on Sept. 30.

IGT - International Game Technology CEO Patti Hart, Aristocrat Leisure Limited CEO Jamie Odell, Novomatic AG CTO Thomas Graf, Amaya Gaming Group, Inc. CEO David Baazov, and Multimedia Games, Inc. CEO Patrick Ramsey will take part in the manufacturers session on Oct. 1.

G2E arrives on the heels of several completed and announced manufacturing sector mergers. Following last year’s G2E, Bally Technologies completed a $1.3 billion buyout of SHFL entertainment and Scientific Games finalized its $1.5 billion purchase of WMS Industries.

Earlier this month, Italy-based GTECH said its was buying IGT for $6.4 billion while Aristocrat said it was acquiring a slot machine maker Video Gaming Technologies for $1.3 billion.

In June, Amaya, a Canadian firm, announced the acquisition of online gaming giant PokerStars for $4.9 billion.

American Gaming Association CEO Geoff Freeman called the speakers list “an impressive group of industry leaders who have helped to lead the growth of our industry.”

G2E producers said the tradeshow will be the largest in five years with more than 450 exhibitors. The conference will feature discussions on topics such as skill-based gaming trends, consumer behavior, and data and cybersecurity. G2E pavilions will demonstrate iGaming, entertainment, security and food and beverage options.

G2E will also introduce its first-ever hotel conference, which will include topics and trends for hotel and lodging businesses.

“The improvements brought to this year’s seminars and exhibitions are a direct response to meet the needs of the diverse gaming industry,” said Mike Johnson, industry vice president at Reed Exhibitions.