The 2023 Australasian Hospitality and Gaming Expo (AHG Expo), presented by TAB, MAX & SKY, is done and dusted – and what an event it was. From record numbers to AHG Expo firsts, let’s take a look back on this year’s history-making event.
With its first live cocktail competition and largest ever lucky door prize on offer, the 2023 AHG Expo was always going to be a big one. But this year’s event has firmly cemented its place in AHG Expo history for yet another reason.
A record number of visitors poured through the doors of the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on day one of the 2023 AHG Expo, eager to meet hundreds of hospitality and gaming industry exhibitors.
Expo visitor James Bennett – Marketing Manager for Norths Leagues and Services Club – said he loves visiting the AHG Expo because of how it celebrates the industry.
“It’s so good to see a great turn out, like this year’s, to remind us just how big and vibrant our industry is,” said James. “We love the networking and catching up with our industry peers.”
Exhibitors, too, were excited by the turnout. Myles Czinner – Queensland Sales Manager for Worksmith, a first-time exhibitor – couldn’t believe the high levels of foot traffic they experienced.
“It was absolutely heaving. There were times where I didn’t look up from pouring samples,” he said. “We also had fantastic conversations and have been able to get our foot in the door with people who would have otherwise been unavailable to us.”
And the excitement continued on day two. The first live cocktail competition was held in partnership with Diageo on the expo floor. An excited crowd gathered to watch the show, the judges deliberated over delicious cocktails, and the competitors took home thousands of dollars’ worth of travel vouchers and Don Julio products – everyone was a winner.
But only one expo visitor could win our biggest ever lucky door prize, which was drawn at 1pm on day two. Russell O’Brien from Hotel & Leisure Management won the 12-day USA trip (valued at over $8000), and he’s eagerly awaiting his getaway.
The AHG Expo team would like to extend a huge thank you to the thousands of visitors, hundreds of exhibitors and the many event partners who made the 2023 AHG Expo what it was. All that’s left to do now is wait until the next one. Stay tuned – the countdown is on.
