Casino Industry to Embrace Non-Gaming Experience at Upcoming Expo

Casinos are focusing more and more on non-gaming business, including meetings and events, according to the American Gaming Association (AGA), which announced yesterday that its annual convention, Global Gaming Expo 2015 (G2E), for the first time this year will include an "Integrated Resort Experience" focusing on non-gaming technology, products, and services as guests would experience them in a gaming-resort setting.

"Gaming is one component of a diverse entertainment offering in destinations across the globe, and we're excited to enhance G2E in a way that reflects the full integrated resort experience," AGA Chief Operating Officer Ron Rosenbaum said in a statement. "Our goal is to make G2E better every year, and we're confident this broadened scope will provide greater value to the tens of thousands of gaming professionals who will travel to Las Vegas from around the globe this fall."

G2E 2015 will take place Sept. 28-Oct. 1 in Las Vegas. Its Integrated Resort Experience will encompass six different sections:

• DWELL: Sleeping Room Concepts - Attendees will gain insight on future trends and innovations for sleeping rooms, from design and operations to amenities. Wellness real estate company Delos will detail the latest developments in creating a healthy travel environment.

• INDULGE: Food & Beverage - Attendees will experience new restaurant, bar, sports, and entertainment concepts. Highlights will include a bracketed chef tournament, a mystery-basket competition, and mixology demonstrations.

• CAPTIVATE: Entertainment - Attendees will learn about next-generation products and technologies for theaters, concert halls, event centers, lounge performances, and day and nightclub concepts.

• CONNECT: Meetings - Attendees will experience smart, ergonomic, and connected meeting rooms with the latest A/V, furnishings, floors, lighting, walls, and services designed to keep casino meeting spaces are at the forefront of technology.

• ZEN: Stay Well & Spa - Attendees will enjoy educational seminars on the business of spas, including how to create the greatest ROI, as well as a one-day certification process for executives to become licensed spa managers. They also will be able to explore mind-and-body health through on-property fitness offerings, innovative treatments in body therapy, and sample products with mini facials and hand massages.

• PLAY: Gaming - Attendees will see how gaming can be incorporated into casino settings to drive more and longer play, and also will interface with next-generation casino management systems that can monitor non-gaming spend in addition to gaming activity.

Explained Ed Several, senior vice president of G2E, "The G2E show floor will be where technologies, products, and services are displayed, and the Integrated Resort Experience will be where these elements are incorporated into an actual resort setting."

For more information, or to register, visit www.globalgamingexpo.com.


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