From the Desk Of…Debi Nutton, Industry Veteran and Gaming Hall of Fame Class of 2024
“From the Desk Of…” is a series from the G2E Insider written by G2E community members to share their knowledge with the wider gaming industry. Debi Nutton, industry veteran and Gaming Hall of Fame Class of 2024, reflects on twenty-five years of G2E.
I have been attending G2E since the beginning, 25 years ago! It is hard to believe how fast time has flown. What keeps me coming back year after year is not just the latest technology or the amazing new games (though those are always fun), it is the people. G2E is where our industry comes together. Old friends, unfamiliar faces, and everyone in between, gather to share ideas, swap stories, and celebrate the work we love.
When G2E first started, it was all about what was happening on the casino floor. The focus was on new slot machines, table games, and operational processes. Over the years, G2E evolved alongside the industry. Today, it is so much more than an expo; it reflects how gaming has grown to include hospitality, technology, digital innovation, and leadership. You can feel the shift in conversations as you walk the floor or attend educational sessions. The show has evolved from hardware to heart, from transactions to transformation.
Some of my favorite memories come from those in-between moments: bumping into someone I had not seen in years, catching up over dinner, or mentoring a young leader just starting out. My favorite memory this year was the inaugural G2E Dealer Championship, I made great friends and had a blast. G2E has this wonderful way of making the big industry feel like a small, connected community.
If you have never been to G2E, my advice is to dive in and truly experience it. Take it all in, the floor, the sessions, and the opportunity to say hello and learn from others. You will walk away not just smarter, but more inspired.
After 25 years, G2E still captures what I love most about gaming, our ability to evolve, to connect, and to create experiences that bring people together. For me, it is more than an event, it is a reminder of how far we have come and how much we still have ahead of us.