GEM Communications – The American Gaming Association (AGA) and Reed Exhibitions, which together own and produce Global Gaming Expo (G2E), announced today their intention to acquire from GEM Communications certain assets of World Gaming Congress and Expo, creating the pre-eminent international trade show and conference for the gaming industry. The event will continue to be called G2E and will have the full support of GEM’s 12 publications.
G2E, the first-ever international gaming industry trade show and conference organized by the industry and for the industry, debuted last October in Las Vegas and surpassed all expectations for participation and revenue, which was invested in AGA education and advocacy programs directly benefiting the industry.
“We are extremely pleased with GEM’s decision to join us in supporting G2E,” said Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr., president and CEO of the AGA. “The positive feedback from last year’s participants has been overwhelming, which speaks to the value of having an industry event that is conceptualized and planned with the single goal of benefiting the entire gaming industry. The support of the highly respected GEM publications will be an important ingredient in accelerating the growth of G2E and contributing to AGA’s ongoing support of the industry.”
G2E 2002 is scheduled for Sept. 17-19, 2002, at the Las Vegas Convention Center. More than 250 exhibitors already have signed up for the show, including all of the industry’s major manufacturers. IGWB and Casino Journal, two GEM publications, would join the list of official publications for G2E 2002.
“By working cooperatively with G2E, we will help create a show that will have an even greater impact on the industry as a whole,” said Bill Newman, president and CEO of GEM Communications. “We look forward to supporting the show and the goals of AGA, and we look forward to continuing to support the gaming industry through our vital regional and specialty shows, and through the strong, independent voice of our magazines.”
The plan is that the AGA will support, through periodic speaker presentations and member announcements, GEM’s regional trade shows, including the upcoming American Gaming Summit Feb. 11-12 in Las Vegas and the Southern Online Casino Malaysia Gaming Summit May 8-9 in Biloxi, Miss. AGA also would contribute a quarterly column to Casino Journal.
“The goal of last year’s G2E event was to produce the most exciting and informative conference and trade show the gaming industry had ever seen, and GEM’s support of G2E will help us expand the scope of that vision,” said Rick White, president and CEO of Reed Exhibitions. “We’re reaching farther with this year’s show, adding more exhibition space and more education opportunities for participants and attendees. This acquisition would benefit the industry as a whole by bringing even more industry resources to bear in making G2E 2002 an even bigger success than last year’s show.”
The AGA represents the commercial casino-entertainment industry by addressing federal legislative and regulatory issues. The association also serves as a clearinghouse for information, develops educational and advocacy programs, and provides leadership on industry-related issues of public concern.
Exhibitors and buyers can learn more about G2E 2002 by visiting its Web site. Buyers can pre-register online for free show admission.
