Exhibitors pleased with G2E Asia

Stanley Ho, who has arguably done more to shape the gaming industry in Macau than anyone else, was presented with the second annual G2E Asia Visionary Award at the event, held June 3-4 at the Venetian Macau on the Cotai Strip. Ho, managing director of SJM, was presented with the award by CEO of Macau SAR, Edmund Ho.

Frank J Fahrenkopf Jr, president and chief executive officer of the American Gaming Association, described Ho as the “driving force” behind Macau’s growth in recent years. “His lifetime of achievement and success in the industry make him a natural fit for this honour, so we are incredibly pleased to recognise him today with the 2009 G2E Asia Visionary Award,” he commented.

Although smaller than in previous years, the expo attracted more than 130 exhibitors from 20 countries, 30 % of which were new to the event. As with other exhibitions in the wake of the economic downturn this year, exhibitors reported lower visitor numbers but claimed that those who attended the expo were key decision makers.

Attendees to the event were also invited to take tours of some of Macau’s properties, including Melco Crown Entertainment’s new City of Dreams complex, which opened on June 1.