G2E Women's Lounge Provides Peaceful Escape from Expo Craziness

^{The Retreat lounge from Global Gaming Women was bustling on Wednesday afternoon, full of women looking for an escape from the hectic convention area. (Photo: Vanessa Alves-Johnson / Casinos.com)}

LAS VEGAS – Attending G2E (Global Gaming Expo) can feel a little daunting for anyone, whether it’s your first time at the gaming industry’s biggest event or your fifth.

More than 25,000 professionals in the gaming industry attended G2E last year, with attendees coming from over 120 countries. In 2023, research from the American Gaming Association indicated that women make up 48% of the gambling workforce, though that number is lower for more senior positions.

During the annual event at the Venetian Expo, women like myself can feel outnumbered in such a male-dominated space. But thanks to Global Gaming Women (GGW), there is a wonderful lounge for women to gather and recharge to have the best time possible.

The Retreat lounge at G2E offers a sanctuary for women to visit throughout the four-day convention filled with gaming industry pros. As a second-year attendee, I looked forward to coming here for an escape between panels, interviews, and the long walks through the expo floor.

The lounge is operated by Global Gaming Women, an organization focused on education, mentorship, and professional development for women in the gaming industry. GGW just celebrated its 10th anniversary and now has more than 10,000 members across 70 countries. The retreat was introduced at G2E in 2024, and GGW’s Executive Vice President Pamela Buckley says the response has been positive enough over the years to keep it going.

“What started as a small experience in 2024 has grown into an important part of the G2E experience for many women,” Buckley told Casinos.com. “Each year, we continue to evolve the Retreat to make it a space where all gaming professionals, especially women, can network, learn, recharge, and simply enjoy being together.”

A Hidden Place to Recharge, Get Camera-Ready

Getting to the Retreat means taking two escalators up and away from the main expo floor, but that distance is part of what makes it work so well. There are still people coming and going, but the atmosphere feels much more casual than in the expo hall.

The lounge feels more lively than just plopping down on a couch on the higher floors of the general convention center. Women can grab a seat on one of the couches, plug in a laptop or phone, or simply take a few minutes to chill upstairs.

The area even served as the setting for GGW’s Link & Learn networking event during G2E, where women gathered Tuesday evening with food, drinks, and a raffle. The event gave women across the industry another reason to gather in the space outside of the usual expo-floor rush.

"What we hear from gaming professionals, not just women, is that the GGW Retreat is a very welcome break from the hustle and bustle of the expo floor. G2E can be an incredibly busy and fast-paced environment, so having a space where people can step away for a few minutes, get off their feet, grab a quick headshot, enjoy a cappuccino, or simply connect with a colleague in a quieter setting is something they really appreciate."

For me, one of the biggest benefits was the coffee station at the Buzz Bar. The G2E media room’s cold coffee has nothing on getting fresh-pulled espresso shots in a latte – apologies to my male colleagues who missed out on this.

There is also a self-service coffee and tea station, along with water and snacks like trail mix for anyone who needs a quick break.

One of my favorite (and most practical) perks here is the complimentary professional headshot service from local photographer Shannon Mason. I used the service during G2E last year, when I was new to the industry, and the resulting headshots have since become my go-to photos for professional work.

There was a charm bar that offered another way to decompress. Visitors can make their own bracelets, giving them something fun to do and something to carry with them throughout the day. The charm bar was consistently bustling with people, because, after all, who doesn’t want a free accessory?

There are couches and tables throughout the lounge with plenty of outlets, so anyone can answer some emails or get some work done. Walking through the Venetian can feel like a marathon at times, so don’t be afraid to kick back and relax in here.

GGW Creating a Space for Inclusion in the Gaming Industry

This area could be a great spot for a meeting or interview. The lounge offers many areas to sit down for a casual conversation with another attendee, without having to conduct an interview on the noisy expo floor.

G2E is an enormous expo with very few dull moments. You’re often racing to a meeting or panel to get the best spot. The Retreat creates an environment where conversations can happen without needing to drop your job title or to have a reason to stop by someone’s booth.

I found myself casually connecting with one woman around my age over something as simple as her LaBubu bag charm. After just a few minutes of chatting, I found out she was also a newer attendee to the expo. We ended up having so much in common, and traded social media accounts. People were taking photos in the Retreat lounge and enjoying leisure time, which rarely happens on the same level during the rest of the expo.

Global Gaming Women has done well in creating an inclusive space that helps advance women in the gaming industry. Buckley says the organization hears from attendees that the Retreat is much needed, given how "overwhelming" the expo can be. 

"For women in particular, having a dedicated space creates an environment where meaningful conversations can happen more naturally," Buckley said. "It gives women the opportunity to step away from the hustle, meet someone new, reconnect with colleagues, share experiences, ask questions, or simply take a breath before heading back into the action.

The lounge is designed for women, but GGW emphasizes that everyone is welcome there as well. 

In any event I attend as media, I always look to find my designated sanctuary where I can sit down to get some work done without dealing with too many distractions or feeling like I’m out of place. 

The gaming industry is not only a male-dominated industry, but also one where I don’t see enough people of color who look like me. But this Retreat area really delivered the inclusivity that many G2E attendees, myself included, need.

“This is just the beginning – I would definitely encourage everyone to be on the lookout for more GGW Retreats at other major gaming conferences in the future,” Buckley said. “We’re excited about the opportunity to bring this same sense of connection, community, and belonging to women and gaming professionals wherever the industry comes together.”

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