At 25, the Global Gaming Expo evokes a spread of recollections — CDC Gaming

It’s a mix of TED talks and a circus, a busy tradeshow and an opportunity for outdated pals to fulfill once more.

Certainly, for the gaming trade, the Global Gaming Expo is the best present on earth.

Taking place October 6-9 on the Venetian Expo in Las Vegas, G2E evokes recollections poignant and elegant from its 25-year existence.

Here are a few of twelve trade professionals’ recollections from the present:

Debra Nutton – Everi Holdings Board Member, Executive Coach-Gaming Consultant, American Gaming Association Gaming Hall of Fame member

I’ve walked the flooring of G2E for practically 25 years, and each time, I’m reminded of the energy, innovation, and deep sense of neighborhood that outline the gaming trade.

Our very first G2E was held in October 2001, lower than a month after the tragic occasions of 9/11. I bear in mind strolling into the Las Vegas Convention Center not sure of what to anticipate. What I discovered was precisely what I wanted, the acquainted faces of colleagues who had turn out to be like household, and the unwavering spirit of an trade that refused to be shaken. That first yr confirmed me simply how resilient we’re. Even within the darkest moments, we come collectively. We transfer ahead.

Nearly twenty years later, the COVID-19 pandemic introduced our world to a standstill. Casinos closed. Teams had been separated. For the primary time in my profession, I feared for the way forward for gaming. But as soon as once more, we rallied. When G2E returned after the shutdowns, it wasn’t only a commerce present—it was a reunion. A celebration of perseverance. Proof that our trade doesn’t simply survive hardship; it adapts, it evolves, and it thrives.

For me, G2E has at all times been greater than a conference. It’s the place we share management, study from one another, and showcase what’s subsequent. It’s the place we reconnect, assist each other, and form the way forward for gaming.

Adam Greenblatt – BetMGM CEO

2023 was a memorable yr for BetMGM at G2E. We gained Digital Operator of the Year on the Global Gaming Awards, which was an enormous second of recognition given the energy of our peer group. The award additionally captured the energy and important progress made in our OSB enterprise, alongside our management place in iGaming, which was significantly gratifying.

G2E has additionally been the plain and finest launchpad for parts of our omni-channel technique, which has Vegas at its core. In ’23 we launched the very first hybrid seller, on line casino recreation in North America, MGM Bonus City, on-line and on the ground at G2E. The recreation, like lots of BetMGM’s initiatives, goals to convey the magic of Las Vegas to gamers throughout North America. And it’s this magic that lives in BetMGM’s DNA and is core to G2E’s place on the epicenter of the playing trade in North America. Congratulations on 25 years!

Brian Christopher – BC Ventures Creator & CEO

In 2016, after solely six months within the trade, I confirmed as much as G2E with little information of what I used to be strolling into. Having simply moved to the U.S. from Canada and eventually making the journey to Las Vegas, I used to be personally shocked to seek out that smoking nonetheless existed on on line casino flooring.

When I got here throughout the ANR (American Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation) sales space, I rapidly requested how we may work collectively. They had by no means heard of a YouTuber who filmed their slot play (to be truthful, it was a really new idea on the time). I solely had 12,000 subscribers then, however I needed to do my half. I rapidly linked with a associate who trusted me, and we shaped a relationship simply from assembly on the ground.

Fast ahead two years—2018 marked the primary time I had a talking function at G2E, the place I defined to the group what social media advertising and marketing may appear like when leveraging the experience of an influencer. G2E has been instrumental in shaping my profession, connecting my staff and me with slot producers, press, and all types of movers and shakers within the trade to assist construct our BC Ventures manufacturers like FlipTheSwap.com and BCSlots.com. It was additionally by way of G2E that I found Gaming Arts, which ultimately led to the creation of my first two slot machines on the on line casino flooring!

Courtesy AGA

Maureen Beddis – American Gaming Association Senior Vice President, Membership & Events

My first time experiencing G2E was three years in the past in 2022. I had simply joined the American Gaming Association and was wanting ahead to absorbing all that the expo needed to supply. While there have been so many issues that caught with me throughout that preliminary present, what stands out most in my reminiscence was the sturdy feminine management that was not solely displayed however inspired. That yr there have been keynotes led by highly effective girls from the trade together with Amy Howe (CEO of FanDuel), Sandra Douglass Morgan (President of the Las Vegas Raiders) and Erika Ayers Nardini (Former CEO of Barstool Sports).

I left the present flooring feeling immensely impressed. Seeing girls not solely lead the gaming trade but in addition seeing them share their information touched me on a deeper stage. It’s a part of what I stay up for with every G2E and this yr, we’re persevering with to encourage not simply girls however range, inclusion, and innovation throughout the trade. With new voices, groundbreaking know-how, and an unmatched power on the present flooring, this yr guarantees to be one of the vital thrilling but.

G2E is a spot to make offers, unveil the latest merchandise and share concepts, however greater than something, it’s a spot to make long-lasting and significant connections with friends in our area. I can’t wait to stroll the present flooring once more and be reminded why G2E is in contrast to some other expertise.

Tashina Lazcano – Konami Senior Director, Marketing & Communications

G2E has lengthy established itself because the world’s grand stage to debut completely unique recreation creations for the on line casino house. Over the years, Konami Gaming has introduced some really jaw-dropping leisure to that stage. In 2013, it was the G2E debut of Titan 360—a 12-foot-tall multi-station recreation that mixed conventional video slots with a big mechanical prize wheel on the heart. In 2015, it was Frogger, that includes retro 8-bit animated tractors that pushed away the slot reels, revealing a traditional Frogger crossing course! Konami’s widespread digital horse racing recreation Fortune Cup marked its trade debut at G2E 2016. My private favourite was the G2E reveal of Beat Square event in 2017. Guests at G2E lined up for the prospect to trial their rhythmic expertise in opposition to different gamers on this skill-based Konami creation, with real-time event leaderboard monitoring. Today I take into consideration G2E’s Beat Square debut each time I hear Bruno Mars’ “24K Magic” — which is frequent. Even although the product’s play-centric format couldn’t ship the rate of coin-in required to safe on line casino footprint, it exemplifies the trade’s never-ending drive towards creativity and innovation, which we see splendidly displayed yearly on the Global Gaming Expo.

Daniel Kustelski, Chalkline

Dan Kustelski – Chalkline Founder and CEO

The 2016 Global Gaming Expo stands out as a turning level within the evolution of legalized sports activities betting within the United States. Taking place practically two years earlier than the repeal of PASPA, it was a second when trade leaders and policymakers brazenly signaled that change was coming. The most memorable spotlight got here when David Stern, the long-time commissioner of the NBA and arguably probably the most influential sports activities government of his period, shared the stage with the CEO of the American Gaming Association.

Stern’s remarks carried monumental weight. Historically, main sports activities leagues had resisted any affiliation with sports activities betting, typically citing integrity issues. Yet, at G2E, Stern delivered a strikingly optimistic message in assist of legalization. He framed regulated wagering not as a menace however as one thing that was occurring in different components of the world already and on cellphones. It was a mandatory step to guard followers, guarantee transparency, and seize income that was in any other case flowing to unlawful markets. This was not simply symbolic; it was a transparent endorsement from one of the vital highly effective voices in sports activities that the time had come to rethink sports activities betting.

It appeared to electrify the trade as a result of it supplied validation that the legalization motion was gaining legitimacy on the highest ranges. For on line casino operators, state regulators, and know-how suppliers within the room, Stern’s phrases had been each a inexperienced mild and a rallying cry. Looking again, for me, I vividly bear in mind it because the second when sports activities betting shifted from a whispered “what if” to an inevitable “when.” It was a uncommon glimpse of alignment between sports activities, gaming, and coverage that forecasted the tidal wave to come back.

Michelle Schenk – IGT Director Global Communications

Although there have been many memorable moments at G2E over time, my favourite (by far!) was in 2016 when the then-Mayor of Las Vegas, Carolyn Goodman, honored Wheel of Fortune star and leisure icon Vanna White with a Key to the City of Las Vegas.

The key presentation happened throughout commerce present hours on the perimeter of IGT’s sprawling G2E sales space. The occasion was organized to commemorate the twentieth anniversary of the Wheel of Fortune Slots recreation – a fixture in gaming venues throughout Las Vegas and past. The mayor talked about that the sport theme welcomes the hundreds of thousands of passengers who journey by way of Harry Reid Airport every year, has made extra millionaires in Nevada than in some other state, and has turn out to be tightly related to Las Vegas casinos.

With a sea of onlookers, TV crews and photographers that prolonged deep into the conference heart walkways, the celebrity-status mayor joined IGT executives in presenting Vanna White with a blinding, completely packaged key to town. Vanna, in true Vanna trend, was pretty with the group, spoke extremely of Las Vegas, and honored a number of journalists with one on one interviews. The occasion was hailed successful and was coated by media close to and much.

Kim Cohn – Light & Wonder Vice President of Game Design

My favourite G2E recollections at all times revolve round seeing folks’s reactions after they expertise Light & Wonder’s newest video games for the primary time. There’s nothing fairly like unveiling new merchandise to our gross sales staff, clients, and fellow designers throughout the trade. It’s extremely rewarding so as to add nice video games to the Light & Wonder portfolio, and a few of my favourite years have even included focus testing earlier than the present opened; listening to gamers’ candid suggestions was invaluable.

One reminiscence that stands out is the yr we debuted the Titanic recreation. The buyer response was overwhelmingly optimistic, and after all of the cinematic work that went into it, it was gratifying to see such a robust response. At the identical time, our participant focus group that yr identified that one of many bonuses wanted transforming. We took that suggestions to coronary heart, postponed the launch by two months, and finally delivered a recreation that went on to be an enormous success. I’m nonetheless grateful for each little bit of suggestions.

Another spotlight was the yr we launched Ultimate Fire Link. Originally, the sport was known as Ultimate Fireball till simply two weeks earlier than G2E. During the chief pre-show walkthrough, folks stored asking, “What does that game do again?” That’s after I realized it wanted “Link” within the title to make its performance extra apparent. We raced to replace the emblem in every single place in time for the present, even hand-carrying software program to the ground to get it put in on the final minute. Thankfully, the title caught, and the remaining is historical past.

Jonathan Michaels – Michaels Strategies Founder and Principal

Having attended a dozen iterations of G2E, there have been numerous recollections and experiences I’ve gotten to share with my friends throughout the gaming trade. But unquestionably, probably the most memorable G2E occurred due to the tragic October taking pictures again in 2017. The tragedy occurred on Sunday evening, instantly previous to the opening of the present. I’ll always remember what occurred throughout the wee hours of Sunday evening and Monday morning. Figuring out if any of your mates, colleagues, or attendees of the present had been on the competition. If they made it. If they didn’t. Trying to determine whether or not it made sense to even host the present.

In the tip, we made the choice to press on with the occasion. It was virtually surreal. Gone was the traditional buzz from the present and as an alternative was one thing extra significant and profound – an actual sense of neighborhood. There had been blood drives and fundraisers to assist these in want. Instead of everybody questioning the place the following celebration was, we took time to understand one another extra. I can’t recall a G2E the place I noticed and skilled extra hugs than that week. Our trade got here collectively to grieve and to rally across the metropolis that lots of my friends name house.

As we rejoice 25 years of G2E, I’m stuffed with gratitude for the folks, the eagerness, and the unbreakable spirit that introduced us right here.

Bronwen Gregg – Insight Global RevOps & Event Marketing,

When I feel again on my final 5 years attending G2E, so many favourite recollections come to thoughts! But what persistently outweighs all of them are the informal, unplanned, impromptu moments. In 2022, with lower than two enterprise days to organize, I used to be requested to reasonable a panel on expertise acquisition within the sports activities betting trade – to this present day, it’s nonetheless considered one of my favourite panel conversations, because the spontaneity led to an excellent genuine and natural dialogue.

In 2023, Sue Schneider and I made a decision final minute to convey collectively a few of the finest girls we all know within the trade for an informal pre-conference Sunday meetup at Stadium Swim – this has now turn out to be our annual custom, setting the tone for the week with nice vibes of girls supporting girls.

Last yr was the primary season of Global Gaming Women’s Fair Game podcast, and I had a lot enjoyable bouncing across the commerce present flooring hanging up fascinating, spur-of-the-moment conversations to report on our short-form “pop”-cast (sadly, we had audio points so couldn’t publish any from 2024 – however we’ll be coming again sturdy this yr with wonderful audio high quality, so ensure to seek out me on the ground if you wish to be featured)! My reply could also be a bit ironic as I’m now a literal occasion planner, however oftentimes probably the most impactful moments at a commerce present are those which might be unplanned. I can’t wait to see what last-minute pivots convey out the favourite recollections of 2025!

Dave Kubajak – JCM Global SVP, Sales, Marketing & Operations

My most memorable second from G2E can be how the sales space and the aisle exterior of JCM’s sales space had been overrun with attendees eager to see our ICB ASAP robotic automation resolution, perceive what it did, and watch the demonstrations. In 2019, clients had been coming into a personal assembly room within the sales space, seeing the robotics system for the primary time, then calling their coworkers and pals contained in the on line casino trade to come back over to the sales space to see ICB ASAP for themselves. We took second in Best Technology for the Eilers & Krejcik Gaming Post-G2E survey that yr and would go on to complete in first place for the Most Innovative New Technology in 2022 and 2023 once we brazenly confirmed it within the sales space.

The buzz all around the present was unbelievable, and we had operators, OEMs, regulators, and rivals all flooding the sales space attempting to see the robotics system JCM had created and the way it labored. It was probably the most secretive product launch JCM had ever achieved at a commerce present, and it was a powerful success. We coordinated carefully with G2E and its companions to herald ICB ASAP earlier than others began developing their cubicles, and we rapidly constructed up round it, together with an overhead material masking to keep away from any sightings from drones. This couldn’t have occurred wherever else on this planet, and it solidified G2E because the goal for all our new know-how launches.

Ashley Skeen Unga – Gaming Analytics Senior Director of Customer Success 

I’ve been attending G2E since 2011, first as an operator and now as a vendor, and yearly I’m amazed at the way it continues to evolve with the trade. Watching the present develop and innovate over time has been inspiring, and it has really been a cornerstone of my skilled journey.

G2E is greater than only a convention for me, it’s a part of my household’s story in gaming. I’ve attended with each my dad and my husband, who’re additionally within the trade, and it has at all times been a spot the place we join, mirror on the day, and share the concepts shaping the way forward for gaming.

One of my proudest G2E moments was serving to to convey the primary moms lounge & nursing pod to the present. It was a significant reminder that this occasion isn’t nearly innovation in gaming know-how, but in addition about supporting folks and constructing neighborhood.

I’ll additionally always remember G2E after COVID. Being on the seller facet to witness because the doorways reopen and the group poured in was unforgettable. The pleasure and pleasure within the room was electrical. It reminded all of us how vital it’s to come back collectively, reconnect, and transfer the trade ahead.

G2E has been the heartbeat of the gaming trade for 25 years. It’s the place concepts are born, partnerships are constructed, and recollections are made. I’m grateful to have been a part of its journey and stay up for celebrating many extra milestones. Happy twenty fifth Anniversary, G2E!