Austrade media releaseWednesday, 14 November 2007
Austrade, the Australian Government’s export development agency, is helping Australian businesses play the right card to secure business success in the United States’ multi-billion gaming industry, by attending the largest trade-only expo which kicked off in Las Vegas this week.
Global Gaming Expo (G2E) 2007 held in Las Vegas from November 13-15 is expected to attract more than 750 exhibitors from 26 countries and over 30,000 industry professionals to view the latest products and services for the gaming industry across the 100,584 square metres exhibition.
Austrade’s Chief Economist, Tim Harcourt, said Las Vegas the original gaming mecca and world’s biggest revenue generator which raked in about A$7.3 billion last year, continues to offer many businesses opportunities in a range of industries, led by nearly A$10.1 billion worth of construction projects planned for 2007-08.
“While opportunities exist for gaming and related technologies, these developments have opened up other opportunities for Australian businesses, particularly in the building and construction, food and beverages, education and training services sectors,” Mr Harcourt said.
“According to the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority there is just over $A39.4 billion worth of projects planned through to 2010 along the Las Vegas strip as on-going development of new hotels, resorts and redevelopment of existing casinos takes place.
“MGM Mirage's Project CityCenter, located between Bellagio and Monte Carlo resorts, is building the biggest of the big – a A$8.33 billion, 5.69 million-square-metres – mixed use development consisting of residences, hotels, casinos, and entertainment space. It will also be joined by Boyd Gaming Corp’s A$4.5 billion project - Echelon Place,” he said.
Anthony Weymouth, Austrade’s Los Angeles-based Trade Commissioner – who is helping Australian businesses at the event – said the G2E convention is where all of the new slot (poker) machines and gaming technology are debuted.
“Austrade provides ongoing assistance to Australian firms interested in entering the market in the form of market information and research, identification of specific opportunities, identification of key contacts, facilitation of introductions and interaction with government agencies,” Mr Weymouth said.
“G2E is the world’s largest and premier gaming event where gaming executives, buyers, and industry professionals meet each November in Las Vegas to conduct serious business,” he said.
“Participating Australian exhibitors include: Aristocrat Technologies, Ainsworth Game Technology, BMM International, Hunatech Global Marketing, Royal Roulette, The Bright Group, Universal Tickets and Cootamundra Components.
“This is the one place where the latest gaming tables and slot (poker) machines, cards, dice, security, surveillance, design & décor, technology, bingo, bill & coin validators, cashless debt cards, card dispensers, chips, coin hoppers are displayed,” Mr Weymouth said.
In addition to the trade show, which is closed to the general public, the convention features seminars on the industry and financial presentations by many of the gaming companies, casino operators and gaming equipment makers.
“G2E also provides the opportunity for businesses to display the latest in uniform designs, while F&B at G2E is the only event for suppliers to showcase their food and wine products to buyers and develop contacts,” Mr Weymouth said.
“Austrade adds value through the connections that we have established at senior and operational levels within all of the key players in Las Vegas and therefore in the contacts and introductions that we can provide for Australian suppliers,” he said.
Austrade provides extensive support for Australian exporters in the US market with representation in 18 US cities, eight specialist industry teams and a network of US Export Advisers around Australia.
ENDS
Media contact
Sarkis Khoury
Senior Media Adviser
Tel: +61 2 9390 2118
Mob: +61 414 401 072
Email: sarkis.khoury@austrade.gov.au
For further news and information from the Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) visit www.austrade.gov.au//mediacentre. |