certainly makes it easier for the two teams to work together as closely as they do. The level of communication between both groups is outstanding.


What were the reasons behind the changes in the venue and date pattern for G2E Las Vegas?


Frank Fahrenkopf: These changes were made with the needs of both exhibitors and attendees in mind. The revised schedule brings with it numerous advantages. For exhibitors, it allows for more breathing room between major international gaming events; and for attendees, it enables purchasing decision-makers at gaming companies to plan for the year ahead with greater ease. When G2E was in November, most purchasers had to set their budgets prior to seeing the new products unveiled at G2E. Now, they will be able to wait until after G2E in Las Vegas to put their budgets together for the coming year. This should help both purchasers and suppliers.


Courtney Muller: Ultimately, our adjustments to the G2E calendar of events necessitated a change in venue, due to scheduling conflicts. We have long heard from exhibitors and attendees that they preferred earlier dates, and we had to move locations in order to lock in the new date pattern for the long haul. G2E was well-served by the Las Vegas Convention Center during the past 10 years, and we are extremely proud of the events we produced together. However, we also are eagerly anticipating the change in venue. The Sands Expo and Convention Center is a state-of-the-art facility that will provide ways for us to creatively enhance the show in the coming years.


What have been the achievements at the AGA that you are most proud off over the years?


Frank Fahrenkopf: There are a few. The first is that no major piece of legislation adverse to the commercial casino industry has been passed on the AGA’s watch. One of the primary reasons the AGA was created was to prevent the federal government from unnecessarily interfering in the way we do business, be that through unnecessary and harmful taxation or regulation, and the AGA has been successful over the course of its 15-year history.


I’m also very proud of the work that the AGA has done to promote responsible gaming. I firmly believe that two of the most important steps we’ve taken in regards to responsible gaming were the implementation of the AGA’s Code of Conduct for


Responsible Gaming back in 2003, and the creation of the National Center for Responsible Gaming (NCRG) in 1996.


The Code of Conduct is a pledge to employees, patrons and the public to promote responsible gaming in every aspect of the casino business, including employee training, customer education, the prevention of underage gambling, responsible alcohol service, and responsible marketing and advertising. All AGA member companies adhere to the provisions of the Code, and its reach actually has extended well beyond AGA membership. The Code has become a model for responsible gaming programs in international jurisdictions and non- member casinos as well.


To combat problem gambling, we first have to understand it. That’s the goal of the research funded through the NCRG. Prior to the establishment of the NCRG in 1996, the field of gambling research was undeveloped and lacked a substantial number of peer-reviewed studies on gambling disorders. The NCRG has been committed to reversing this trend, and since its inception, the industry has contributed $22 million to the organization, making the gaming industry the largest private funding source for problem gambling research.


The creation of the G2E family of events is another AGA accomplishment of which I’m proud. It has become an important forum for the entire gaming industry to come together to share ideas and generate business opportunities that help everyone to be more successful.


What do you see as the main issues facing the Global Gaming Industry today and over the next 5 or so years?


Frank Fahrenkopf: The biggest challenge currently facing the gaming industry is the continuing, but slow progress of economic recovery. While the Asian and Latin American markets have been faring well, there are a number of markets, including the United States, where recovery has been considerably slower. To prepare for the time when consumer spending increases again, we must continue to put out a product attractive to consumers – and this is done through innovation and the development of new casinos, technologies and gaming machines. I believe the industry is succeeding in this, as visitation numbers remain strong. Our industry has always been a resilient one, and I am confident we will emerge from the current economic challenges even stronger than before.


casino life magazine 37


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