A program to support women in the development of their presenting and influencing skills looks set to boost their representation on stage at the Australasian Gaming Expo (AGE) 2021.
Women in Gaming & Hospitality Australasia (WGHA) has developed a public speaking program called SPOT On which includes speaker workshops and coaching for women in the gaming industry.
The program will culminate in eleven TEDx-style presentations by female executives from some of Australia’s largest gaming firms including Crown Resorts, Star Entertainment Group and Aristocrat at AGE on Wednesday 12 August and Thursday 13 August.
WGHA is delivering the program in partnership with expo organiser Gaming Technologies Association (GTA), which this week reassured attendees that despite the recent spate of COVID outbreaks around the country, it was “in full swing preparing all the necessary work for AGE to proceed” on August 10-12 at ICC Sydney.
Even if the Sydney lockdown continues, AGE will be able to set up and run, GTA said.
“Until recently, exhibitions have had a 2sqm per visitor quotient, but we are planning for the retention of a 4sqm rule. With nearly 20,000 square metres underuse, the AGE will easily be able to proceed even under a 4sqm rule.”
Increasing the visibility of women at industry events such as AGE is the goal of the SPOT On program, and is needed to create an inclusive industry, Helen Galloway the CEO of WGHA said.
WGHA is a not-for-profit organisation focused on ensuring gender equity and inclusivity across gaming, gaming-related and hospitality industries. WGHA advocates gender representation of 40:40:20, (where 40% is female, 40% is male and 20% is undefined).
“We are committed to increasing the visibility of women in the industry and to building the pipeline of female speakers,” Galloway said.
“This program is specifically designed to support women so that when we revert to a post-covid AGE, we will have developed a pipeline of experts and speakers.”
Chris Muir, CEO of GTA, said programs like Spot On drive change ensure talented women can become visible advocates for the industry. “GTA is committed to WGHA’s 40:40:20 goals, and this program is a tangible means to get there.”
The eleven women were nominated by corporate partners of WGHA or self-nominated through an open process to the WGHA community earlier this year.
Wednesday will feature Claire Mileto, Game Design Lead & Game Design Compliance, Aristocrat; Casey Green, Gaming Development & Capability Manager, Table Games, The Star Entertainment Group; Alison Zhang, Service Manager, VIP Services, Crown Resorts; Ashleigh Howard, Business Development Executive – Australia Domestic, SkyCity Entertainment Group; Annie Carbone, Global Talent and Employee Experience Specialist, People & Culture, Aristocrat; and Shannon Forster, Marketing Strategist, Surge & Co.
Thursday’s SPOT On presenters will be Renee Yates, Group Manager EGM Optimisations, The Star Entertainment Group; Tanya Kruimink, People & Culture Manager, Odyssey Gaming & Network Gaming; Bronwyn Bruzzano, Compliance Manager – APAC, Aristocrat; Shereen Erikli, Operations Manager Support Services, Crown Resorts; and Naomi Richards, Director of Gaming, The Star Gold Coast.
For details on how to attend head to wgha.org.au or austgamingexpo.com.