The extraordinary interest in a Japanese IR industry was on full display in Osaka on Wednesday with a huge audience of local companies and associated industries filling Intex Osaka for the 1st Japan IR Expo 2019.
The exhibition provided an opportunity for everyone from global operators such as MGM Resorts, Las Vegas Sands, Galaxy Entertainment Group, Melco Resorts, Caesars Entertainment, Genting Singapore and Wynn Resorts to major Japanese tech firms such as Panasonic and local SMEs to state their case for inclusion in Osaka’s IR development.
A cast of thousands wandered the exhibition hall throughout the day, while a full house of around 350 people filled the conference hall from morning to afternoon to watch a series of talks and panel sessions discussing IRs.
They included a lengthy afternoon session in which operators presented their case to be Osaka’s chosen IR partner. Among them were Genting boss Tan Hee Teck, Melco Resorts Chairman and CEO Lawrence Ho, CEO of MGM Resorts Japan Ed Bowers, Caesars President of International Development Steve Tight, Las Vegas Sands’ Managing Director of Global Development George Tanasijevich and President of Wynn Resorts Development Japan, Chris Gordon.
The expo kicked off with a lengthy opening ceremony in the morning attended by key government officials and concluded with a well-attended networking event at the nearby Hyatt-Regency.
The 1st Japan IR Expo 2019 continues today.
