Big gaming convention opens in Vegas today

Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2002 | 10:52 a.m.

The Global Gaming Expo (G2E), billed as the world's largest casino industry gathering, opens at the Las Vegas Convention Center today.

The four-day show represents a merger of two competing gaming events last year.

Earlier this year, the American Gaming Association and Reed Exhibitions, which owned and produced the Global Gaming Expo, completed their acquisition of the World Gaming Congress and Expo from GEM Communications.

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority said 15,000 people are expected to attend the event, which will feature more than 100 conference sessions and panels and about 500 exhibitors in a trade show.

Keynote addresses by American Gaming Association President and Chief Executive Officer Frank Fahrenkopf, journalist Sam Donaldson and entertainment executive Merv Griffin are scheduled and panelists will discuss critical issues in the gaming industry -- Internet gambling, workplace diversity, regulation, new jurisdictions and technology.

Panelists will include industry leaders Bill Boyd, chairman and chief executive officer of Boyd Gaming Corp.; Phil Satre, chairman and chief executive officer of Harrah's Entertainment Inc.; and Ernie Stevens, chairman of the National Indian Gaming Association.

Investment forums at the show will feature corporate officers discussing their companies before analysts and institutional investors.

Technological advancements in slot machines will be among the highlights at the trade show, which will be opened by Pat Sajak and Vanna White, game show hosts of "Wheel of Fortune."