Inside AGE 2022

34 | I NSIDE AGE | #1 AUG 2022 | asgam.com enthusiasm of people getting back to business as usual. The demand by vendors for the AGE has been immense, especially from businesses who haven’t previously exhibited. If you look at recent transactions in the sector, I think it signals a strong confidence in the industry. BB : I n your dea l i ngs wi th suppliers, operators and other vendors, what are their main concerns in the short-term? JP: In the discussions I’ve had, certainly from a short-term perspective COVID remains front of mind as an issue in terms of what governments may seek to implement. Other than that, there is certainly an optimism that we are pretty close to business as usual. BB: We’re all back together in Sydney this week for the first Australasian Gaming Expo in three years. How significant is this event given the trauma of recent times? JP: As the industry’s biggest event it is a very big deal. We have had a very positive response from vendors and f rom t hose who i nt end to attend the expo. We have had a particularly strong interest f r om ov e r s e a s a t t e n d e e s which I think speaks volumes a s t o t he s t r eng t h o f t he hospitality industry in Australia, which even in the time of the pandemic has attracted record investment. There is a very real sense of people wanting to get out and about and reconnect with colleagues in the sector. It is for this reason that we’re hosting an AGE networking lunch event which will be held on the second day of the show (Wednesday). BB: It’s your first AGE as CEO of the GTA. What has been your primary focus in terms of preparing for the show’s return? JP: The return of the show has been challenging. It’s my first AGE but it’s also the first AGE for many of this year’s suppliers, with the event industry having b e e n h a r d e r h i t t h a n t h e hospitality industry. My focus has been on building our key relationships and making sure our team has what they need to make this year’s event as successful as any other.