Advancing Women in Gaming

By Keli Elkins, Vice President of Industry Relations, American Gaming Association (AGA)

A development program of the American Gaming Association, Global Gaming Women (GGW) launched last year at G2E with a vision to create opportunities for women across the international gaming industry to share ideas, discuss best practices and take advantage of mentorship opportunities.  On the heels of launching its new website this week at www.globalgamingwomen.org, GGW will partner with G2E to host its first webinar on Tuesday, September 18. Learn more about “Making their Mark: Female Leaders of the Gaming Industry” and register for this free, online event at www.globalgamingwomen.org.

GGW also will return to G2E this year with a variety of exciting opportunities for women of the industry.  On Tuesday, Oct. 2, G2E’s opening day keynote speaker, BBC Journalist Katty Kay, will join GGW for a luncheon and discussion centered on her book Womenomics: Write Your Own Rules for Success. Get a jump on your day the following morning, on Wednesday, Oct. 3, with the GGW Breakfast Roundtable to be moderated by Virginia McDowell, president and CEO of Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc. and co-chair of the GGW initiative. McDowell will lead a panel of female gaming executives in an audience-driven discussion about their approaches to communication and networking, work-life balance and getting ahead in a male-dominated industry. These networking events do require advanced registration and a nominal fee – register through G2E to secure your spot today.

The GGW education committee has collaborated with the G2E Conference this year to develop a short program of sessions on Wednesday, Oct. 3, that will cover issues relative to career development, leadership, workplace communication and inclusion. While these topics were developed with female gaming executives in mind, GGW at G2E session are open to all G2E conference attendees and are of relevance to men and women alike. Review the GGW at G2E track here to learn more about these topics.  Click here to register for the G2E Conference.

Finally, don’t forget to visit GGW’s dynamic new website at www.globalgamingwomen.org, where you’ll find a number of tools designed to help women in the gaming industry connect and advance their careers. One especially exciting element of the site is “Coffee Break: Gaming Leadership Strategies in 1 Minute or Less,” a video series showcasing female industry leaders offering insight and advice on career and business. Check it out today!