WASHINGTON - The American Gaming Association (AGA) and Reed Exhibitions, which together own and produce Global Gaming Expo (G2E), have completed their acquisition of the gaming trade show assets of World Gaming Congress & Expo from GEM Communications. The acquisition will make G2E the preeminent international gaming industry trade show and conference.

G2E made its debut last October in Las Vegas and surpassed all expectations for participation and revenue. With the full editorial and advertising support of GEM’s 11 publications, G2E 2002 will continue to establish new standards for trade show excellence. Revenue from the show is invested in AGA education and advocacy programs directly benefiting the industry.

“With GEM’s support, everyone in the industry will be working together toward the same goal: an industry trade show and conference that meets the needs of all of its participants,” said AGA President and CEO Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr.

G2E 2002 is scheduled for Sept. 17-19 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. More than 400 exhibitors already have signed up for the show, including all of the industry’s major manufacturers. IGWB and Casino Journal, two GEM publications, will be included as official G2E publications.

“We set an aggressive goal for G2E 2002 to surpass last year’s success, and this acquisition will certainly help us meet that challenge,” said Richard E. White, president and CEO of Reed Exhibitions.

The AGA will support, through periodic speaker presentations and member announcements, GEM’s regional trade shows, including the Southern Gaming Summit May 8-9 in Biloxi, Miss., and the annual American Gaming Summit each January in Las Vegas. AGA also will contribute a quarterly column to GEM’s Casino Journal magazine.

“We are excited about working with the AGA and Reed Exhibitions to make G2E the premiere trade show event in the gaming industry,” said GEM CEO Bill Newman. “Our mission has always been to support and promote the industry through our events and publications, and we see this new relationship as an opportunity to expand that vision and support something that has the potential to truly revolutionize the industry.”

The AGA represents the commercial casino-entertainment industry by addressing federal legislative and regulatory issues. The association also serves as a clearinghouse for information, develops educational and advocacy programs, and provides leadership on industry-related issues of public concern.

Reed Exhibitions is a world leader in creating high-profile, targeted industry events where buyers and suppliers come together to do business. Every year, Reed events bring together some 160,000 suppliers and over nine million buyers from around the world. Today, Reed events are held in 35 countries throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia/Pacific, and are organized by 30 fully staffed offices. Reed’s portfolio of 470 events services 49 industries in 12 key sectors.

Exhibitors and buyers can learn more about G2E 2002 by visiting its Web site at www.globalgamingexpo.com. Buyers can pre-register on-line for free show admission. Advertisers interested in promoting their products and services can contact GEM at 702-794-0718.