– Attendance records continue upwards: 9,799 visitors – a new record
– 102 jurisdictions represented, two making London debut
– Netherlands top slot, then Austria, Germany, USA and Spain
– 59 territories increase presence; 39 set new national record
– Asia, Far East, North America and Europe/CIS biggest growth regions

ICE 2006 was the biggest on record, according to figures released by show organisers, Clarion ATE. A total of 9,799 casino industry professionals attended the London-based exhibition, an 8.8 per cent increase on the previous best – 9,008, which was set last year. 2006 represented the sixth consecutive year of growth for ICE and the tenth annual increase for the b2b casino event since 1995.

The number of international and UK-based visitors both grew, with the non-UK contingent up 12.7 per cent to 5,762, equating to 58.8 per cent of the total. UK visitor numbers rose more modestly by 4.8 per cent to 4,020.

Outside of the United Kingdom, the Netherlands was the top ranked nation with 458 visitors, a year-on-year increase of 38.4 per cent. Austria was second with 441 (+21.2%), followed by Germany 434 (+34.0%), USA 427 (+11.5%) and Spain 399 (+7.3%). Of the top ten overseas represented nations, just eighth placed Slovenia (-10.2%) and tenth placed Italy (-2.4%) registered a year-on-year deficit in visitors.

Underlining its status as the most international b2b casino event in the calendar, ICE/ICEi 2006 attracted 102 jurisdictions with Vietnam and British Indian Ocean Territories making their first appearances at the London show. The total number of territories represented at ICE since 1995 now stands at 159.

Reflecting on another record-breaking year for ICE/ICEi, Peter Rusbridge, CEO of Clarion ATE said: “This event simply gets better every year. Much of its success is due to the imagination and energy invested by the 187 exhibitors from 33 countries who support the event.

The country-by-country analysis shows that 59 territories increased their attendance with 39 establishing record highs. Breaking the attendance down by region, the biggest growth areas were in Asia (+35.3%), South-East Asia (+33.9%), North America (+21.3%) and Europe/CIS (+13.3%).

Looking ahead, Rusbridge said: “The new floor plan that will be in operation in 2007 means that we will be able to welcome new exhibitors to the show and offer existing companies the stand options they’ve been asking for. 2007 has all of the ingredients to be a vintage year when we could break through the 10,000 visitor threshold.”

Next year’s ICE/ICEi takes place at the Earls Court Exhibition Centre, London, UK on 23th–25th January 2007. For more information visit www.ateonline.co.uk/ice

All figures quoted are subject to verification by the Audit Bureau of Circulation (ABC).