The 12th Edition of the Global Gaming Expo Asia is coming up on May 15-17, 2018, at The Venetian Macau. The exhibition is presented by the American Gaming Association and is set to host over 200 exhibitors and welcome around 15,000 guests over its three days.

Why Macau?

Right now, Macau is a much bigger hub for gaming, which simply wasn’t predicted earlier in the year, so it’s incredibly exciting for those on the ground and is a new possibility for operators looking to take part in the action.

Macau gross gaming revenue jumped 27.6% last month to $3.18bn (￡2.36bn) in April. Union Gaming said the strong April results could mean a much stronger performance in 2018 overall than the 17& growth it had originally forecast. This is backed up by the type of operators committed to attending and demonstrating at the Expo.

What to expect at G2E

The show itself will focus on various areas of the market, including digital and media content, integrated resort tech and business solutions, as well as parts and components. The show will run alongside the Asia Lottery Expo, which will offer visitors further opportunities for business development while on site. The organizers have invited a range of experts and influencers to provide talks and workshops during the three-day event, a move that we are increasingly seeing in expositions. There are also targeted events hosted by organizers to facilitate networking amongst those attending including the Presidents’ Reception and G2E Asia Privileges Program, both of which bring the elite members of the space together.

Operators at the Expo include SiGMA; International Game Technology Plc (IGT). which is showcasing a new range of gaming equipment solutions designed specifically for casino operators in Asia; and 1xBet, which claims that prospective clients will be invited to find the “easiest and most convenient way to partner” with them at the Expo.

G2E approaches with the news that BMM Testlabs, a US-based independent gaming testing lab, is planning to increase its presence in the Asian market.

Kirk White, BMM’s executive vice-president and general manager, Australia Asia-Pacific and Africa, at BMM, said that the company has enjoyed “unprecedented growth” in Asia in recent years and is now dealing with more demand.

Innovation rewarded

The exhibition will also host the 2018 G2E Asia Awards on May 15. The awards have been launched to recognize the best innovators in the Asian gaming sector and beyond. Greats of gaming and Asian entertainment will come together to celebrate innovation. Organizers also hope that it will be a further opportunity for attendees to network, which is one of the main focuses of the event. The categories, which were announced in March, include Best B2B Digital Product Solution and Best Integrated Resort and will bring together a panel of around 40 judges who will work together to decide on the winner in each category. This will be the first edition of the awards and it will be an interesting additional opportunity for discovering innovators in the sector.

Embracing new technology

Event organizers are embracing new technology that looks likely to improve the visitor experience including a ranking of “Hot Hits” on the G2E Asia mobile app. Visitors will be able to see which exhibitors are the most popular among their peers by logging on to the event’s app, an addition that will offer invaluable marketing information in real time. Electronic gaming exhibitors will also come together to offer an interactive on-site tour of their offerings, allowing visitors to experience new interactive products in a more user-friendly way. These innovations should be useful for attendees and exhibitors alike.

Market-leading keynote speakers

Among the keynote speakers are the chief executive and chairman of Melco Resorts & Entertainment Limited, Lawrence Ho, who is headlining the talks. A number of other high-profile executives and business owners/influencers are presenting, including Maria Helena De Senna Fernandes of the Macau Government Tourism Office and Wilfred Wong of Sands China Ltd. A range of topics will be discussed during the three days of the conference. There will also be an Asian Markets Forum, where untapped markets will be discussed, and an entertainment and technology session to discuss the future of integrated resorts. The third day will provide a platform for industry leaders to discuss the future of the industry’s regulatory practices, combating financial crime, and the impact of gambling taxes.

The Global Gaming Expo Asia is set to be a major event for those in the gaming industry who are either already established in the Asian market or are looking to expand their business into the growing market. Organizers are using technology to enhance everyone’s experience of the event. Real-time insight into exhibitors’ popularity will bring a fresh set of data for people to use during the show. The organizers have secured a varied range of speakers, which should attract a diverse group of attendees to network with. The big focus seems to be on networking, with an array of events throughout the three-day show that should make a visit well worthwhile for all.