As the Australasian Gaming Expo drew to a triumphant conclusion in Sydney yesterday afternoon, organiser Ross Ferrar was able to reflect on AGE’s return to its traditional home overlooking the city’s Darling Harbour.

AGE

“The return of this event to Darling Harbour and the halls of the new exhibition centre created the most successful event in the history of the AGE,” said Ferrar, CEO of the Gaming Technologies Association, which hosted the Expo.

“This year, there were 246 exhibitors, with 60 more than we had last year,” and thanks to the generous and well designed loading docks at the new venue (the ICC), “exhibitors reported that the move-in for this massive event went smoothly and that the facilities were superior to anything else they’d experienced,” Ferrar continued.

This year saw a massive increase in visitors with the final count of 8,099 representing a 19 per cent increase over 2016.

Once they were at the show, visitors were able to optimise their time at the event because, for the first time, the Expo featured digital show bags, which allowed visitors to transfer information about exhibitors to their mobile device.

“In my view, Digital Show Bags are a great success," said Ferrar. "There’s been a total of 11,967 badge “taps” at exhibitors’ stands during the first two days and 3,956 daily digest emails sent to those who tapped.”

Being a fully self-contained convention centre, the ICC allowed all associated events and functions to be held on-site. One such function was the Industry Leader’s Dinner and for the attendees, “this event was extraordinary – from the dazzling décor, to the impeccable service, to the outstanding food,” said Ferrar.

Visitors were able to broaden their knowledge about hospitality and gaming with 1,400 seats available across seven complimentary seminars covering the latest developments in venues, technology, research and cash management. These seminars were held in the new purpose built seminar rooms bristling with technology, with every session being well attended.

One such event was the Women in Gaming luncheon. This event was hosted by Nadine Grinblat, the chief executive of the Australasian Gaming Council, who said: “A superlative, down-to-earth interview between local media identities Stephanie Brantz and Emma Freedman - as well as amazing hospitality from ICC Sydney - set the tone for elegantly relaxed but purposeful networking.”

“The event was about connecting like minds and people across sectors to discuss how the gaming industry can be even more progressive - not just as individual businesses but as a collaborative community that values diversity and gender equality in both staff and leadership,” Nadine added.

Proving itself to be a world class event, the Australasian Gaming Expo attracted visitors from 26 countries with strong showings from the USA, UK, and more than 50 senior executives from Asia.

Next year’s Expo will be held August 14-16, 2018 and more information is available at www.austgamingexpo.com.

Exhibitors who are interested in attending next year can contact Judy Rayner at [email protected]

Read more about the final day of AGE in the latest issue of AGE TODAY, produced by InterGame.