GAMING
Ninety-eight per cent of surveyed visitors indicated high levels of satisfaction.
look and operate in their venues – and comparisons under one exhibition roof provide a convenient way for executives to evaluate equipment and make purchase decisions direct with suppliers. 2012 will mark the 23rd Gaming Expo, with a fresh new approach based on feedback from visitors and exhibitors. In a departure from tradition, the 2012 Gaming Expo will, for the first time, be held mid-week. 21-23 August 2012 will see the 23rd Australasian Gaming Expo fall on a Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, with a new brand to match the new days. With so many exhibitors spread across such a large area, for 2012 the organisers have extended the hours to 10am until 5pm on each of the three exhibition days so that visitors have the opportunity to review products side-byside, consider their needs and make decisions at the event without rushing. Organisers have also gone to great lengths to ensure that visitors can easily find their way around the exhibition floor. Every visitor is provided with a ‘Show Map’ as they enter, with lists of exhibitors and large-scale maps also available at various locations in the exhibition. Limited seating areas are available, including a café operated by the exhibition venue. Long-term visitors always talk about their ‘Survival Strategy’, which means wearing good walking shoes, getting there early on the first day, working out which stands you want to spend more time on during the next two days and making sure that you see all the stands. The Grand Final of the Hotclub Barista Challenge for clubs and pubs was held at the Gaming Expo for the first time at the 2011 Australasian Gaming Expo and plans are already underway to increase the scope of the Barista
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Challenge for 2012. Major exhibitors often invite celebrity guests, including leading sports personalities, which always provides an entertaining aside to the main business underway at the exhibition. On each day of the Expo, a prize is awarded to a visitor whose name is randomly drawn from all those who’ve attended that day. In 2011 two visitors from New South Wales and one from Victoria each won a trip for two to Las Vegas, including air travel and five nights’ accommodation in Las Vegas. This proved to be very popular with visitors waiting for the announcement each day and has become a permanent feature of the Australasian Gaming Expo. On the conference side, the AGE Conference is operated by Hospitality Management Development Australia and in 2011 featured a panel of industry figures moderated by renowned journalist Barrie Cassidy, along with Nigel Morrison (CEO SKYCITY Entertainment Group) and a thought-provoking presentation from respected demographer Bernard Salt. C&PM
The Australasian Gaming Expo is a trade-only event and entry is complimentary to gaming industry executives. However, trade suppliers are not eligible to attend the event unless exhibiting. This means that all visitors are required to register to attend. Registration is easy to complete online at www.austgamingexpo.com