Luxe Life Blog
Stars shine at kickoff of 2012 Global Gaming Expo in L.V. today
Actor Dan Aykroyd speaks during the opening ceremonies at the Global Gaming Expo (G2E) convention at the Sands Expo Center Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2011.
Photo: Steve Marcus
Gaming industry professionals from around the world have arrived in Las Vegas for this year’s Global Gaming Expo, which began today and celebrates with a star-studded party tonight. While here, the delegates will explore industry innovations and get a first-hand look at the trends and ideas that are changing the business of gaming and shaping its future.
The premier trade show and conferences for the global gaming entertainment industry continue through Thursday at Sands Expo and Convention Center at the Venetian. G2E made its debut in the fall of 2001 as the first and only gaming trade show event designed “by the industry, for the industry.”
This year’s celebrity highlights and special events include tonight’s welcome reception poolside at the Venetian with David Hasselhoff as MC and music entertainment from the Guess Who and Them & Us.
Tuesday morning’s ribbon-cutting ceremony officially opens the show floor in the main exhibit hall with the “Pawn Stars” hit reality TV team of Rick “The Spotter” Harrison and his son Corey “Big Hoss” Harrison for Bally Technologies (the father-son duo were at Hofbrauhaus last Friday for Corey to tap the keg for Oktoberfest); Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley of KISS and the Oompa Loompas for WMS Industries; and NASCAR driver Clint Bowyer, also for Bally. All the stars have slot machines being launched this week.
Nongaming experiences are just as important to the casino resort industry, and there are products, technologies and services to meet those needs around the world. Models will present twice on Wednesday the new uniform fashions for nightclubs, cocktail servers and pit dealers. A crew of celebrity impersonators will welcome conventioneers to Fremont Street Experience that’s been set up as a miniature duplicate of downtown in one aisle of the exhibit hall.
For the second year, there are events for Global Gaming Women to provide networking opportunities, with BBC America journalist Katty Kay as the featured speaker. The Casino Design Awards that recognize excellence in casino resort design and construction will be presented Tuesday evening.
Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.
Follow Robin Leach on Twitter at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.
Follow Vegas DeLuxe on Twitter at Twitter.com/vegasdeluxe.
Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter at Twitter.com/VDLXEditorDon.
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