EARLS COURT, LONDON

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EARLS COURT, LONDON

Friday 30 January, 2009 - Snapshot ATEI/International Gaming Expo 2009

Combined figures for ATEI and the newly configured International Gaming Expo, incorporating ICE and ICEi, show that a total of 23,080 unique visitors attended Earls Court over the first two days of the exhibitions, constituting a 1.1 per cent increase year-on-year.

ATEI

Justin Burke, Sega Amusements Europe: “We had misgivings, being at the back of the hall, but those fears have proved unfounded. We’ve been busy over all three days. Indeed, we have been busier than last year; there has been a great buzz. There has also been a real mix of international visitors; more than half of the buyers we’ve had have been international. For us, that internationalism is crucial.”

Chris Bell, Amutec (Namco Europe Kiddie Rides Division): “My general feeling is that numbers are down, but quality is up. Visitors have been putting their hand in their pockets, many from abroad. I think if I’m honest, there are more one-day visitors this year, which is why Wednesday was really busy. Also, I enjoyed the BACTA networking event.”

John Sanders, NIACTA: “I think the industry is coming to terms with its new home. Progress brings hardship and there will always be those who are not happy or indeed satisfied. It is extremely important that ATEI continues to thrive by learning the lessons from the last two years. Earls Court remains a brilliant venue, extremely accessible with some fantastic facilities surrounding it. It is not just an exhibition, it is an event. I think ATEI 2009, coinciding as it did with the DCMS ruling on £1/£70, has given the industry a lot of hope and encouragement for the year ahead.”

Frank Seninsky, Amusement Entertainment Management: “On Wednesday I spent the entire day with exhibitors and didn’t leave once. There’s no place on earth where you could see so many of the world’s top games. ATEI is also about sharing information and learning about the threats, challenges and opportunities that face us all.”

ATEI attracted 8,220 dedicated visitors with a further 2,819 IGE badge holders crossing into the coin-op amusements event. This equates to a 1.2 per cent year-on-year increase. The top represented nations (outside the UK) were Italy (374), Spain (268), Netherlands (173), Irish Republic (161) and Sweden (148). 77 countries were represented on the show floor including the first ever visitor from Azerbaijan.

INTERNATIONAL GAMING EXPO

Tracy Cohen, TCS John Huxley: “At first, we thought it was going to be quiet. G2E numbers were down and we were worried that might be the case here. Whatever the case, we have definitely had the right people visit us – the decision makers. Instead of large parties of delegates attending from one company it was the decision makers only. We have definitely seen the right people. IGE is a very international show and that hasn’t changed.”

Nick Hardy, Games Warehouse: “We are completely delighted that we decided to exhibit at IGE. It feels very different from ATEI; IGE feels like a real business exhibition and I’m all for that. This might be because of the economic conditions but the general tone of IGE 2009 was that ‘we’re here to work’.

Christophe Laparoux, Gaming Partners International: “Western Europe, Eastern Europe, the Mediterranean, South Africa, Asia – all the key people from all the key jurisdictions have visited us and enjoyed our demonstration. I think it is also fair to say that the current financial climate means that the market is extremely receptive to new ideas. Take RFID chips for example, we have been demonstrating our new technology here and we have met and developed some very impressive contacts.”

Andrew Cammegh, Cammegh: “I am really surprised and impressed by the juxtaposition between credit crunch doom and gloom and the amount of business we have done. I don’t quite understand it. One explanation is that there are people who have visited us here at the show who have some euros in their pocket and want to make some decisions. The relationship between sterling and the euro has given us an even greater advantage. The quantity of visitors has reduced but the quality remains as strong as ever.”

Mark Smith, Gamesman: “Obviously the industry is extremely concerned about economic conditions, but discussions have moved beyond that. We’ve had valuable meetings with clients and very meaningful dialogue about product development. IGE has been a great showcase for our Downloadable Push Button technology.”

Mery Blomqvist, Boss Media: “I would describe IGE as very positive. Compared to last year, the quality has been much higher. There has been an excellent representation of international visitors to our stand. We have had more countries coming along than in 2008. I love London; it has been a very, very successful few days.”

Ofi Noier, Playtech: “I think at the very least, the e-gaming element of IGE has repeated its performance from 2008. I would say we have seen a growth in visitors from Latin America and Europe. Also, the organisation is better this year than last; Clarion has created a very comfortable environment in which to conduct business.”

Early indications show a positive response to the newly configured International Gaming Expo (IGE).  Attendees at London's total gaming show, which comprised exhibitors from the low-stake gaming, remote gaming, lotteries, betting and land-based casino sectors, numbered 14,860 (11,925 in 2008). An increase in visitors from the remote gaming sector and the new addition of the low stake gaming, betting and lotteries contingent was balanced by a reported decrease in the number of visitors from the land-based casino market. A further 3,523 ATEI badge holders crossed over into IGE. The leading visitor nations (outside the UK) were Italy (593), Austria (577), Germany (504), Spain (495), Netherlands (477) and USA (405). IGE 2009 welcomed visitors from nations making their debut appearance including Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu and Wallis & Fortuna Islands.