Poker Panel, State of the Industry Discussion, Chefs Competition Headline Global Gaming Expo

1 September 2004

By David Waddell

The world's top gaming industry leaders, poker experts and celebrity chefs will headline daily keynote events at Global Gaming Expo ("G2E") 2004, scheduled for October 5-7 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The events - including the Neon Chefs competition, annual State of the Industry panel moderated by Larry King and a roundtable discussion focused on the renewed popularity of poker - will highlight the issues driving the future of the gaming industry.

G2E is the international gaming trade show and conference "by the industry and for the industry." Organized by the American Gaming Association ("AGA") and Reed Exhibitions, G2E made its debut in the fall 2001, defining itself as the pre-eminent show for the gaming-entertainment industry. G2E's portfolio of global gaming events includes Casino Design and Racino.

"In producing G2E, our goal is to provide a forum where everyone involved in gaming can come together to reflect on the state of our industry," said Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr., president and CEO of AGA. "These keynote events will help attendees gain a greater understanding of some of the exciting changes taking place within our industry in the areas of Food and Beverage, poker and the business overall."

The opening keynote event of G2E 2004 will showcase the Neon Chefs competition, a new event at G2E featuring two teams of Las Vegas chefs in a live competition modeled after The Food Network's popular Iron Chef series. The event, scheduled for Tuesday, October 5 and organized by the Epicurean Club of Las Vegas, will also serve as the kickoff for Food and Beverage at G2E, a unique event within G2E catering to the burgeoning Food and Beverage sector of the gaming industry.

The Neon Chefs competition will pit David Robbins, executive chef and managing partner of Wolfgang Puck Fine Dining Group, and Peter Woo, executive chef at Hard Rock Hotel's NOBU Restaurant, against Marc Poidevin, executive chef at Bellagio's Le Cirque, and James Benson, executive chef at Bellagio's Circo. Noted television personality Robin Leach, former host of Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, will serve as master of ceremonies for the event. Judges will include Chris Marcoux, a partner with Shonkwiler-Marcoux Agency and a former chef; Lincoln Spoor, Krispy Kreme Nevada franchise owner; and Muriel Stevens, Nevada food critic and writer for the Las Vegas Sun.

On Wednesday, October 6, Emmy Award-winning talk-show host Larry King will reprise his role as moderator of the popular State of the Industry keynote panel. King, who moderated the event at G2E 2003, is the host of CNN's Larry King Live, the first worldwide phone-in television talk show and the network's highest-rated program.

The State of the Industry roundtable discussion will feature a panel of gaming industry leaders, including Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr., president and CEO of AGA; Terry Lanni, chairman and CEO of MGM MIRAGE; Gary Loveman, president and CEO of Harrah's Entertainment; Rebecca Paul, president and CEO of the Tennessee Lottery; and Ernie Stevens, chairman of the National Indian Gaming Association.

King will lead a panel discussion of the top issues facing the casino industry. Topics will include the impact of consolidation among major casino companies, the ongoing debate on state gaming tax increases, the evolving relationship between commercial and Native American casino interests, the impact of upcoming state and national elections on the gaming industry, and the expansion of racetrack casinos and recent decisions by some states to add slot machines at existing tracks.

G2E's final keynote event - the Poker Power panel - is also new to G2E 2004. Scheduled for Thursday, October 7 and sponsored by ShuffleMaster, the event will involve a discussion about the issues and intricacies surrounding the renewed popularity of one of the world's favorite card games. The 'Mad Genius of Poker,' Michael Caro, widely regarded as the world's foremost authority of poker strategy, psychology and statistics, will facilitate G2E's Poker Power panel. Panelists will include Lyle Berman, CEO of Lakes Entertainment and one of the world's leading poker players; Jack Binion, former host of the World Series of Poker and founder of Horseshoe Gaming and the Poker Hall of Fame; and Phil Hellmuth, Jr., a top World Series of Poker money winner.

All three keynote events will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Keynote Room located in the registration area on the main level of the Las Vegas Convention Center. Keynote events are open to all G2E attendees at no charge, and no advance registration is required.

For more information about G2E 2004 or to register and enjoy discounts to the Show and Conference, visit www.globalgamingexpo.com.

Poker Panel, State of the Industry Discussion, Chefs Competition Headline Global Gaming Expo is republished from GamingMeets.com.