The Global Gaming Expo (G2E) is the largest annual gaming and entertainment event in North America with hospitality professionals from across the world gather in Las Vegas earlier this month. This year’s event was once again a great space for bringing new tools and technologies across the hospitality industry. Attendees explored innovative solutions from exhibitors and used this incredible opportunity to get creative, network and see all the latest gadgets coming to market.
A select few participated in “Innovation Incubator” competition which took place on the final day of G2E. This was the first time the show has hosted such a competition. It was designed to bring forth a variety of new products for the hospitality industry and to give entrepreneurs a chance to showcase their inventions. The judges from the popular TV show “Shark Tank”, Kevin O’Leary, Daymond John and Cindy Eckert participated and judged the pitch contest of new-to-the-market gaming and hospitality products. Bill Hengler won the contest, earning him $10,000 for his innovative DoorPro Doorstop, a device designed to make everyday life easier in a hotel operation by easily propping a hotel room door open at the hinges. Hengler is a UNLV graduate and has already sold his product to several large hospitality venues in Las Vegas.
G2E was packed with pioneering ideas in every setting and the expo floor was no exception. Hospitality solution providers showcased innovations as well, and attendees had the chance to explore the market of new technology. Among the new solutions, Agilysys demonstrated its new guest-facing, mobile ordering experience with its rGuest® OnDemand solution, which brings a familiar user footprint and a friendly interface to guests placing orders on their own devices. The Agilysys booth showcased how the company’s more than four decades of hospitality know-how and technology solutions are designed to drive guest satisfaction even off the gaming floor.