January’s Earls Court exhibitions, ATEI and IGE will once again represent the most comprehensive co-located gaming and amusements events in the international calendar. Five months ahead of the international spectacular opening its doors to buyers from 100-plus nations, the shows are at 80 per cent capacity with a total of 240 exhibitors from 40 nations now contracted.
The spread of exhibitors includes companies involved in low stake high volume gaming, land-based casinos, remote gaming, lotteries, betting and the broadly based leisure and amusements sectors. Reflecting on the highly encouraging figures Julian Graves, managing director of Clarion Gaming Exhibitions said: “To be 80 per cent full at this stage of the marketing cycle and set against the broader trading backdrop is extremely encouraging. The amusements offering comprises a buoyant 51 organisations which have an interest in the sector with the dedicated ATEI component comprising some 3,700 square metres of stand space.” He added: “For visitors the interface between amusements and gaming is an important one. IGE/ATEI is unique in that it provides buyers with direct access to the originators and developers of product covering the full range of gaming, betting, lotteries and amusements. No other exhibition in the world can offer this choice, this access and this depth.”
Leading exhibitors from all sectors are supporting the event, with IGT-UK Group choosing IGE to showcase its entire multi-channel product portfolio for the first time at an industry event. Robert White, IGT-UK Group vice president, commented: “Showcasing our products as a group is consistent with our strategy of offering leading game content across multiple channels, including mobile and internet. This approach will allow visitors to the IGE to come to a ‘one-stop shop’ for great games.
“IGE is a pivotal part of our business year, with many key products for UK, international and remote gaming audiences being presented for the very first time. IGE provides the ideal platform for meeting up with key executives from across the entire spectrum of our business to discuss the latest products and the future direction of the business.”
David Orrick, communications director of high performance gaming product creator Astra Games, part of the Novomatic Group of Companies, believes that buyers from all destinations want to see the originators of product when making their purchasing decisions. He explained: “The buying process is quite a complex one and the depth of information that’s required can best be gained from speaking with manufacturers face-to-face. Certainly visitors to our stand at Earls Court will be able to get all the information, detail, insight, strategy and more from the people who know most, which is the originators of the product.”
ATEI’s role in showcasing product to an international audience was underlined by Barcelona-based Compumatic. The company, which has over 25 years experience serving the international leisure and entertainment sectors, will be unveiling at least two new products at Earls Court. Spokesperson Montse Simats confirmed: “We will be using ATEI to launch two totally new darts-based products including our much anticipated Virtual Darts machine and kit. Development of this landmark product, which uses the very latest in state of the art technologies is already well underway to debut in London.”
Julian Graves concluded: “The 20,000 visitors to IGE/ATEI will have the opportunity to absorb new ideas, experience the power of new technologies and to see new products that will make a meaningful difference to the profitability of their businesses.”