AGE is the must attend event for the Gaming and Hospitality Industry
Exclusive interview with Ross Ferrar, CEO, Gaming Technologies Association
With the 3-year redevelopment of Sydney’s Exhibition precinct, exhibitors and visitors alike were averse to the move to the temporary exhibition venue at Glebe Island, what’s the feeling now in this final year of the relocation?
This year’s Australasian Gaming Expo (AGE) is going to be the biggest we’ve had at Glebe Island. 2015 was a sell out year, so to keep up with exhibitor demand, we’ve increased capacity for 2016. Our long-term exhibitors wanted to showcase more products and that required more floor space.
We also have 25% more exhibitors lined up for this year’s event, with 20% being first-time exhibitors at the 2016 AGE. If that’s anything to go by, I can certainly say that any initial exhibitor apprehension has been dispelled.
Visitors to the event have enjoyed the Sydney Harbour waterfront location, with views of both the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Anzac Bridge, two iconic Sydney Harbour sites. Whether arriving via scenic ferry ride, by bus, taxi or private vehicle, visitors arrive on the venue’s doorstep, a convenience no other suitable venue could provide.
It sounds like the venue is quite unique, can you tell us a little more?
The structure was repurposed from the 2012 London Olympics. After arriving in Australia it was reconstructed on a concrete slab the size of five football fields. This year the AGE will use all four halls of the venue, a whopping 20,000 square metres, 4400 square metres more than AGE 2015.
The venue posed some challenges for a few exhibitors initially, with an increased level in natural lighting not the ideal environment for electronic visual displays and reflective surfaces, but the visitors were certainly not put off as the results showed.
We bid farewell to the venue after this year’s AGE and in 2017 the AGE will return to Darling Harbour to ICC Sydney, which is currently in the final stages of construction to be Australia’s premier convention, exhibition and events precinct.
The AGE is an event-packed three days – what's the best way to keep informed of what's going on?
In addition to the website, we also have the dedicated AGE mobile app which is available free on Android and iOS devices. The app features an interactive event floor plan and uses beacon technology to advise of entertainment, events and more throughout the venue. The mobile app will provide more information than ever before, in real time, in the palm of your hand. Download the app from the Apple store or Google Play. For more information visit the AGE website.
How does the AGE compare to similar international events?
The AGE is now in it’s 27th consecutive year and is the largest event of it’s kind in the Southern Hemisphere. The Australasian Gaming Expo is the must attend event for the Gaming and Hospitality Industry. With new equipment being showcased at the AGE, and so many new exhibitors both domestic and international, visitors won't be disappointed with the 2016 Australasian Gaming Expo.
by Gaming Technologies Association, July 21st 2016
