Australasian Gaming Expo 2018 opens at ICC Sydney

After a welcome address from Ross Ferrar, CEO, Gaming Technologies Association; Gadigal Elder Uncle Allen Madden; and Joyce DiMascio, CEO, Exhibitions and Events Association of Australasia (EEAA), the event kicked off with a sold-out exhibition floor and seminar program.

Now in its 29th year, the Australasian Gaming Expo (AGE) is the cornerstone for all suppliers and buyers working within the hospitality and gaming industry. Seven weeks prior to the event, 90 percent of exhibitor space had already been sold. Of those sales, 95 percent came from returning customers.

The venue is on the western edge of Sydney’s central business district. The event is occupying a total of 19,000 square metres (204,514 sq feet) of its exhibition space.

Mr Ferrar presented the first seminar, ‘Australia: State of The Nation’, acknowledging the most pertinent issues and challenges facing the industry in 2018. Also speaking on the first day, Justin Baird, Managing Director of R&D, Technology and Innovation, Accenture; Neil Spencer, Managing Director, Gaming Consultants International; David Ford, Commissioner for QLD Liquor and Gaming, and more.

The afternoon featured an IMGL Masterclass chaired by Jamie Nettleton, Partner, Addisons Lawyers Sydney and President, IMGL, which focused on the international and domestic legal trends for the gaming industry.

Day One presented an overall sense of optimism within the industry, encouraging agility, responsiveness, innovation and engagement, framed by a globally-minded outlook to the future.

With over 200 exhibitors from all sectors of the industry, the show floor was bustling with trade and technical demos. Global innovator, Simtech Creations showcased a jaw-dropping curved LED visual display with spinning globe, changing the realities of visualization, while nearby, local Signature Floors covered the interior and décor sectors with their cutting-edge carpet designs. Vetron demonstrated their 3D Bare-Eye content development and signage solution to great effect, transforming the interactive content experience to awed visitors. 

Ross Ferrar, Chief Executive Officer, Gaming Technologies Association, tips the 2018 show to be the best yet,

"AGE strives to deliver a bigger and better show year on year for all of our stakeholders. With a core focus on technology and the sustainability of the gaming industry, we believe 2018 will deliver maximum value and a truly enjoyable experience for visitors, exhibitors and sponsors."

Nadine Grinblat, Chief Executive, Australasian Gaming Council, will moderate the "Spotlight on Responsible Gaming" panel on Day Two of the show,

"Responsible gambling is a somewhat contested term. The panel discussion will examine the challenges and trends in responsible gaming."