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Actor Dan Aykroyd speaks during the opening ceremonies at the Global Gaming Expo (G2E) convention at the Sands Expo Center Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2011.
Monday, Oct. 1, 2012 | 8:51 p.m.
Gaming industry professionals from around the world have arrived in Las Vegas for this year’s Global Gaming Expo, which began today and celebrates with a star-studded party tonight. While here, the delegates will explore industry innovations and get a first-hand look at the trends and ideas that are changing the business of gaming and shaping its future.
The premier trade show and conferences for the global gaming entertainment industry continue through Thursday at Sands Expo and Convention Center at the Venetian. G2E made its debut in the fall of 2001 as the first and only gaming trade show event designed “by the industry, for the industry.”
This year’s celebrity highlights and special events include tonight’s welcome reception poolside at the Venetian with David Hasselhoff as MC and music entertainment from the Guess Who and Them & Us.
Tuesday morning’s ribbon-cutting ceremony officially opens the show floor in the main exhibit hall with the “Pawn Stars” hit reality TV team of Rick “The Spotter” Harrison and his son Corey “Big Hoss” Harrison for Bally Technologies (the father-son duo were at Hofbrauhaus last Friday for Corey to tap the keg for Oktoberfest); Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley of KISS and the Oompa Loompas for WMS Industries; and NASCAR driver Clint Bowyer, also for Bally. All the stars have slot machines being launched this week.
Nongaming experiences are just as important to the casino resort industry, and there are products, technologies and services to meet those needs around the world. Models will present twice on Wednesday the new uniform fashions for nightclubs, cocktail servers and pit dealers. A crew of celebrity impersonators will welcome conventioneers to Fremont Street Experience that’s been set up as a miniature duplicate of downtown in one aisle of the exhibit hall.
For the second year, there are events for Global Gaming Women to provide networking opportunities, with BBC America journalist Katty Kay as the featured speaker. The Casino Design Awards that recognize excellence in casino resort design and construction will be presented Tuesday evening.
Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.
Follow Robin Leach on Twitter at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.
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Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter at Twitter.com/VDLXEditorDon.
In the spirit of Venice, The Venetian is a little piece of romantic Italy right here in Las Vegas. The Venetian is an "all-suite" hotel, with rooms accented with plush linens and Italian marble. The 4,027 suites are divided into two towers: The 36-story Venetian Tower that offers guests a taste of luxurious Las Vegas and the Venezia suites, which guarantee 12 floors of high-end elegance. The top five floors are the hotel's highest level of luxury with its private access, concierge lounge, upgraded features and even a dedicated staff.
Entertainment at the Venetian includes shows such as Tim and Faith - Soul2Soul, featuring Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, and Rock of Ages.
The flagship of Venetian nightlife is TAO, an ultra-hip nightclub located inside of TAO Asian Bistro. V Bar is The Venetian's super smooth ultra lounge, made by the owners of New York City's club Lotus and Los Angeles' super swank Sunset Room.
The Venetian features 19 restaurants including Thomas Keller's award-winning French restaurant Bouchon, Mario Batali's B&B Ristorante, Aquaknox for fresh seafood and the 42,000 square foot TAO Asian Bistro. There's also the food court inside the Canal Shoppes for those looking for a quick bite.
Guests can float along The Grand Canal Shops in an authentic Italian gondola ride and pass stores like Burberry and Kenneth Cole along the way. And if you haven't caught a real celeb, on the street in Vegas, you can head over to Madame Tussauds to check out a wax version.
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