10 Years of Connecting Joy and the Industry
by Danelle Dodds
If you’ve spent any time in the Las Vegas hospitality industry over the last three decades, you know the name Gary Bordman, CSEP. With the tagline of “Just call Gary,” his reputation for having a solution or answer to your Las Vegas event needs is the foundation of his wild and colorful legacy.
Stefanny Avera, Bordman’s chief operating officer and daughter-in-law, reminisces, “The moment I realized Gary was a big deal in the Las Vegas events’ world, it was when someone reached out to us and asked if we knew anyone who had a sloth.” Bordman didn’t miss a beat. “Oh yeah, I know someone!” And while Bordman doesn’t deal with live animals, having his finger on the pulse of entertainment enhancements for live events has made him an industry leader since the early 1990s.
As CEO and owner of Amusement, Exhibit & Event Services (AE&ES), Bordman supplies entertainment and engagement to corporate and private groups. His business is the epicenter of interactive and immersive experiences, arcade game rentals, event enhancements, customized oversized décor letters, photo opportunities, and even some items you haven’t dreamt up yet. “I like to say that we create experiences,” Bordman muses. “We are the portable version of Dave & Busters.”
“Just Call Gary!”
Crafting enjoyable moments started at a young age. Bordman’s award-winning interactive event journey began as a teen when he and his father traveled with carnivals during the summer. As he shared on his 2023 BizBash 15 Over 50 recognition, they operated various midway games under the hot sun with a motley crew, and he got his first taste of the amusement business. The seasonal gig foreshadowed his future path, which would take several more years to actualize.
Bordman’s event destiny took off when he landed in Las Vegas. With three kids, a wife, and an honorable discharge from the Air Force, he rolled the dice on a new business. Boasting a set of air-filled wrestling suits that he rented out to corporations, Bordman saw the potential for event enhancements. He started amassing more inflatable games, formed a strategic partnership, and immersed himself deeper in corporate events.
Bordman’s reputation for service, responsiveness, and innovation-based solutions earned him considerable attention and respect during those critical early years. He served as president of the International Live Events Association (then International Special Events Society) and became active in every significant industry association in the city. In 2014, Bordman started AE&ES and began building his brand on the backbone of his reputation. “Just call Gary!” was a mantra that kept the phone ringing. And while their business is jollity, the high expectation level of corporate events requires a keen eye for detail and project management.
A Right Hand at the Right Time
That keen eye is where his right hand, Avera, steps in. Avera joined AE&ES in 2019. Her extensive experience in staffing and event management was the perfect support needed for the volume of business the company was producing. Her wheelhouse included experience in marketing, a calm disposition, and a nuanced understanding of how Bordman runs the show. “I like to say she is the female version of me,” Bordman explains. Since joining the team, Avera has taken centerstage, liberating Bordman from the minutia. “I love being on event site,” he said, “But now I can focus on continuing to grow the business while Stefanny runs the company to the ‘Gary-standard.’”
Their cohesive efficiency has served them well. Shortly after Avera’s launch, the pandemic rocked the world. As the rest of the industry sat dormant, AE&ES saw a light of opportunity that became a beacon for the darkened event landscape. “We were down for less than a month,” Avera remembers. Bordman, not one to sit still, pivoted his company into a digital, social-distancing connection hub. Gutted offices turned into green screen studios. Tactile team building went virtual. They developed a specialized interactive platform for cyber team building. The team pushed themselves to unearth new ways of creating technological touchpoints to unite a fragmented industry. No longer fettered by proximity, events would occur at 4:00 am in Asia and 2:00 pm in Las Vegas. They worked around the clock and produced over 100 virtual shows during the wasteland of the shutdown. When the industry reopened, it was a seamless move back to re-establishing human connection through interactive games.
They recount those stories with the tempered amazement that any event professional does when reflecting on the industry’s survival. Their achievements since those socially distanced days have exceeded their expectations.
A Decade Down; A Lifetime to Go
The company is now celebrating a decade of service to the industry. Over the last ten years, AE&ES positioned themselves as merriment makers in the corporate sphere. Their interactive event enhancements infuse that final layer of engagement into otherwise stuffy environments. With an inventory of almost 1,000 games and a warehouse of 15,000 square feet, their daily docket is peppered with events across the Las Vegas Strip, the nation, and even internationally. They were proudly one of the first suppliers for one of the first events in the world-famous Allegiant Stadium. They’ve tackled engagements for Shaq’s Funhouse, Sports Illustrated, and Ferrari, as well as huge launches for the Super Bowl. Their award-winning recognition continues with acknowledgments that include the BizBash Most-Know and Most Influential Event Pros, NFL’s Business Connect, and the Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) designation.
Watching the team in action, one can see why they’ve remained at the top of their game. “We bring people together, bring back their childhood, and create emotional moments,” Bordman says with a smile. Avera thinks the key to their success is something else entirely. “He values the connections, whether they are his industry connections or his team. Gary truly values his relationships.”
