From now on, G2E 2007 expects to draw more than 30,000 gaming industry professionals to Las Vegas to explore industry innovations from all over the world and get a first-hand look at the future-minded ideas that are changing the business gaming.

G2E 2007, which is the gaming industry’s largest international trade show and conference event, starts today and finishes next November 15th, at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Highlights and facts about this year’s event include an attendee pre-registration which is tracking 7.7 percent ahead of 2006 and more than 30,000 industry professionals expected to attend the overall event.

Regarding the show floor, more than 750 exhibitors showcase the latest products and services for the gaming industry in 30,000 sqm of exhibit space. The international participation records a pre-registered attendees hail from 107 countries around the globe. In addition, 112 international exhibitors from 26 countries outside the United States will feature their products and services on the G2E show floor.

A Ribbon cutting ceremony featuring The Soprano’s Stars will also be held today to mark the opening of the show floor. This year’s ceremony features James Gandolfini and Steve Schirripa from The Soprano’s.

Besides, more than 140 conference sessions feature expert presenters including policymakers, industry leaders, celebrity chefs and even the MIT Blackjack Team. All three keynotes will be held at 10:30 am in room N250.

Featured speakers include: Emmy Award-winning sportswriter, radio commentator and TV correspondent Frank Deford, who will speak today. Tomorrow, “State of the Industry: Internet Gambling at the Crossroads”, sponsored by HCL, will count with Alfonse D’Amato, chairman, Poker Players Alliance; Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr., president and CEO of the American Gaming Association; Terry Lanni, chairman and CEO, MGM Mirage; Gary Loveman, chairman, president and CEO, Harrah’s Entertainment; and Andre Wilsenach, CEO of the Alderney Gambling Control Commission.

On Thursday, it will be held the conference “Native Matters: Tribal Gaming Past, Present and Future”, sponsored by Bank of America- Speakers will be Delia M. Carlyle, chairwoman of the Ak-Chin Indian Community; J.R. Mathews, vice chairman of the Quapaw Tribe of Oklahoma; Anthony Miranda, chairman of the California Nations Indian Gaming Association; Max B. Osceola, Jr., Hollywood representative for the Seminole Tribe of Florida Tribal Council and Myra Pearson, chairwoman of the Great Plains Indian Gaming Association; Ernie Stevens, Jr., chairman of the National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA).

F&B features a wide range of products essential to the delivery of an outstanding culinary experience. The exhibit hall also features a Wine & Spirits Garden sponsored by Southern Wine & Spirits and a host of special events at the F&B at G2E Culinary Demonstration Stage, sponsored by Delaware North Companies,

G2E Entertainment Showcase is located in the Las Vegas Convention Center, lobby and sponsored by SonicBids. Each morning and afternoon a new artist will take the stage to entertain G2E attendees with a variety of music styles including classic symphonic rock, jazz, new country, reggae and more.

Eye in the Sky Security & Surveillance Pavilion is located in the G2E Exhibit Hall, this newly expanded pavilion will showcase the latest in casino security and surveillance products and services.

Addittionally, Signature Series Session – “The MIT Blackjack Team: How Did They Do It?”, sponsored by iView, will feature members of the infamous MIT Blackjack team who will explain how the team developed, how the casino game operators put a stop to their card counting enterprise, and how the story has led to a New York Times bestseller, a soon-to-be released major motion picture and the Blackjack Institute.

Featured speakers at this session include Blackjack Institute co-founders Michael Aponte and David Irvine, investigator Andy Anderson and Douglas Florence, Sr., CPP – Director, Gaming Sector, NiceVision, NICE Systems. The session will take place Wednesday, November 14 at 9:15 in room N102.