„The biggest and most important exhibition that we attend each year, a vital part of our commercial strategy“ is how Jens Halle, managing director of Austrian Gaming Industries GmbH, chose to preview London’s forthcoming International Gaming Expo (incorporating ICE and ICEi) which will host more than 300 companies from 48 nations across January 27th–29th at the Earls Court Exhibition Centre.
Novomatic takes top slot
AGI’s Novomatic brand – company philosophy ‘Novomatic leads, others follow’ – sits at the top table of major industry players within IGE. The company has a hugely impressive 1,116 square metre [12,009sq.ft] stand (the largest within the exhibition); space which it intends to use to good effect. The company confirmed: “Details are being kept under wraps until the show opens its doors but it is certain that aficionados of multi-player games, operators and their guests alike, will see a whole new arena of gaming possibilities from Novomatic.”
In addition to Novomatic, the 2009 ‘big league’ of exhibitors comprises IGT–Europe, Astra Games, TCS John Huxley, WMS Gaming, Atronic International, Aristocrat Technologies, Amatic Industries and APEX Gaming – all with stands in excess of 300sqm [3,228sq.ft]. Also firmly on the radar of show visitors with stands of 200sqm [2,152sq.ft] and above are Alfastreet, Casino Technology, Recreativos Franco, Barcrest Group, XtalE, Merkur Gaming, Bally Technologies, Gold Club, Games Warehouse, Inspired Gaming, Elektroncek, Gaming Partners International and Unidesa-Cirsa Group. These are joined by a further 32 companies with 100sqm-plus [1,076sq.ft+] displays.
First time exhibitors
IGE also serves as a vital market place for small to medium size enterprises (SME’s) which use the exhibition as a platform to launch their innovations to an international audience of buyers. Many of the SME’s are amongst the 72 organisations that will be making their debut appearance at the London show. Drawn from a total of 27 countries, the debutantes bring a fresh approach and perspective on the gaming industry, helping to sustain the exhibition’s reputation for being a dynamic and commercial market place to source new products of which an estimated 2,000 are launched each year at show.
The list of IGE first-timers includes renowned industry names, as well as those looking to make a big impression with their maiden appearance by taking significant stands. Those with 50sqm [538sq.ft] or more include Alsart (Russia), Cryptologic (Canada), Intervision Marketing (Cyprus), WorldMatch (Malta), Synot (Czech Republic), Hydako (Korea), Intel Corporation (USA), Ivobank (UK) and Shock Machine México.
Growing sectors
An important subset of the International Gaming Expo, the remote gaming dedicated ICEi sector will include 90 exhibitors drawn from 25 sovereign jurisdictions, 35 of which are making their first ever appearance. ICEi floorspace has grown by more than 40 per cent year-on-year to over 2,750sqm [29,590sq.ft] and now constitutes around 14 per cent of the entire show.
Adding to the pre-existing casino (ICE) and remote gaming (ICEi) components, the introduction of soft gaming, lottery, betting and other gambling and wagering disciplines has formed the umbrella ‘International Gaming Expo’ which weighs in at a colossal 20,000sqm [215,200sq.ft] of net floor space.
Pre-registration spike for IGE
The response to IGE, which gives visitors access to the universe of gaming equipment, systems and platforms all in a single location, has been highly encouraging with the level of pre-registration up 34.1 per cent compared with the same stage 12 months ago. The data confirms the value of creating what is the most complete gaming exhibition on the calendar.
Taiwan leads international list
Outside of the host nation, the United Kingdom, Taiwan is represented by the biggest number of exhibitors (20), followed by the USA (18), Malta (17) and Italy (14). Austria has 12, whilst Canada, Germany, Netherlands, Spain and Slovenia all have 10 and Sweden nine. Korea has five, Belgium, Latvia, Russia and Serbia each have four, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, France, Ireland, Isle of Man, Israel, Japan and Poland are all on three and the Czech Republic, Romania, South Africa, Ukraine and the Virgin Islands each have two exhibitors.
The remaining contingent, drawn from Alderney, Antigua, Argentina, Belarus, Costa Rica, Croatia, Estonia, Gibraltar, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Jersey, Mexico, Portugal, Slovakia and the United Arab Emirates, takes IGE’s tally of represented countries to 48 – the most international make-up in the history of the London Show.
All details correct as at 5 December 2008 and subject to amends and alterations made by show organisers, Clarion Gaming, in the lead-up to the show. For up to date exhibitor lists, floor plans, the latest show news, travel and accommodation and FREE entry badge registration, visit www.ige-exhibition.com.