As the Amusement Trades Exhibition International (ATEI) and International Casino Exhibition (ICE) prepare to open their doors to the global amusements, gaming and gambling industries (Earls Court, London – 25-27 January), the shows’ organisers have confirmed that Germany remains on course to have one of the highest profiles amongst the long list of nations taking part in the three-day event.

Germany currently lies in sixth position in the overseas exhibitor list with 11 companies taking stand space at the London Show (6 in ATEI, 5 in ICE), behind Spain (27), USA (24), Italy (23), Netherlands (15) and Russia (12) and ahead of Belgium (10), Austria (9) and Poland, Slovenia and France (8 exhibitors each).

The German presence in 2005 includes two companies making their debut appearance at the London Show: Geiger Automatenbau occupying a 32sqm. stand in ATEI and Wire Card taking 16sqm. in ICE. Weighing in with a 76.12sqm. shared stand, MEXIM and Stella International Spielgerate will be the largest German ATEI exhibitors followed by Japan Cash Machine Germany (60sqm.), GeWeTe (37.75sqm.) and Wh Muenzpruefer Berlin (15sqm.). Exhibitors in ICE comprise Atronic International (396sqm.), Patir-Design & Production (52sqm.), Casino Supplies (50sqm.) and Dallmeier Electronic (35sqm.).

Defending a highly respectable fourth place in the international visitor rankings will require another substantial turn-out of German visitors: 626 attended the London Show in 2004 (283 in ATEI and 343 in ICE), compared with 802 from Spain, 764 from the Netherlands, 720 from Italy, 540 from the USA and 529 from Belgium.

ATE Chief Executive Peter Rusbridge commented: “Germany has always played a major role in ATEI and ICE and we look forward to welcoming more of our German friends, new and old, to Earls Court later this month, where we’re sure they’ll find plenty of new business opportunities to bolster their prosperity throughout 2005 and beyond.”