Last week's Australasian Gaming Expo celebrated the 30th anniversary of showcasing gaming and hospitality products to representatives from clubs, hotels and casinos.
Delegates came from Australia, New Zealand, Asia, the US and Europe. AGE’s humble beginnings in 1990 saw 100 exhibitors greeting 1,500 visitors in one hall of the old Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre. In contrast, the 2019 expo saw 237 exhibitors occupying three halls of Sydney’s International Convention Centre with just over 9,000 visits over the three days. While visitor growth was a modest three per cent increase on the 2018 expo, it represented a booming 31 per cent growth in visitors since the 25th expo in 2016.
As always, AGE presented a broad spectrum of hospitality suppliers. And AGE continued to be a fun, educational and informative event offering experiences for both visitors and exhibitors alike. On Tuesday evening, attendees were invited to a celebration, with awards presented to the 15 exhibitors who have exhibited at the 30 consecutive expos.
On Thursday morning there was an exhibitor breakfast where three exhibitors were announced as shortlisted for the best stand award. This year the judges shortlisted newcomer The Christmas Tree Company, Brintons Carpets and Jem Managed IT Services with the judges awarding the prize to Jem. There was also a people’s choice award for the best stand, based on visitor votes recorded in the AGE App, this year’s winner being IGT.
For three lucky visitors, just attending AGE means they’ll be taking their partners to G2E Las Vegas in October. The winners wre Sarah Brock from the Seymour Club in Port Melbourne, Jo Hunter from Campsie RSL and Robyn Withers from Wauchope RSL. The three-day 20 seminar programme was well attended with over 2,000 delegates, all eager to be informed, inspired and glimpse the future of Australian gaming and hospitality.
