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Fiscal Outlook | World
Taking stock of
wo thousand and launches from literally every tation as being a must-attend position as one of the world’s Darrell Metzger, who stepped
T
nine will be
As one of the
corner of the world. There’s event for companies inter- main gaming equipment sup- down during the IAAPA
remembered as
toughest trading
no magic wand that can over- ested in high-growth Asian pliers. To further boost the Attractions Expo in Novem-
one of the most
years in recent
come recession, but it’s by gaming markets. Interest- expo, GTI Taipei Expo 2010 ber, offers one final assess-
difficult trading working together, by ingly, similar to Clarion’s will have strategic alliances ment of the industry during a
years in recent history. The
history draws to a
exchanging ideas and most proactive decision to strike with other international challenging 2009:“Businesses
effects of the downturn have
close, James
importantly by looking out- new collaborative agree- expos.” run in cycles, and we’re no dif-
been felt not only by manufac- wards that visitors, exhibitors ments with other European José Aníbal Aguirre, CEO of ferent,” he said.“This w as not a
turers and operators - they Walker speaks to and exhibition organisers can exhibition teams, GTI Asia 3A Producciones, the great year for a lot of the
have also filtered down to the
the heads of the
plot a course for recovery.” organiser Game Time Inter- company behind the Andean industry, but it wasn’t a crisis
exhibition show floor. While it
world’s leading
Germany’s principal national was quick to branch gaming show, FADJA, said the year, either. This summer
is no secret that footfall has gaming expo, IMA, has out into mainland China. gaming industry will ulti- European facilities, on the
been down across many of
gaming event
adopted the slightly different Company president mately withstand the difficult whole, were up about 20 per
the world’s key exhibitions, it
organisers who take
strategy of expanding its Thomas Liu said: “Under the times.“The need f or entertain- cent - Europa-Park had its best
must be remembered that the offering during the current economic crisis, 2009 has ment, innate in the human year ever. North America had
organisers of industry events stock of 2009 and downturn. The organisers really been a hard year for the being, is an imperative that an off year, but the majority of
find themselves in the privi-
offer their thoughts
recently introduced Bowling worldwide gaming industry, soothes daily tensions,” he that was weather related.
leged position of dealing with World, which runs parallel to and GTI Taipei Expo 2009 stated. “I believe that 2010 That’s the cycle. Asia was
representatives from all
on the future shape
the core exhibition. “Luckily, faced the same problem as will be a year of recuperation - mixed and had some great
sectors in the gaming and
of the industry.
the fair has not been affected other expos. However, GTI at least for Latin American results with Ocean Park, and
amusements industry. And for by the economic downturn Taipei Expo put more economies. We are learning some of the Chinese parks did
that reason, they offer a in 2009 and we expect this emphasis on presenting the the lesson that when one very well. It was not a great
unique perspective on the important to the recovery fact to apply to 2010 as well, full-scale manufacturing door closes, another always year for most, but it wasn’t a
markets they serve. process,” he said. “ATEI/IGE, because IMA constantly capability of Taiwanese com- opens.” disaster, either. You have good
Julian Graves, managing which will have exhibitors adapts itself to the market panies, showing Taiwan’s Outgoing IAAPA chairman years and bad years.”
director of Clarion Gaming’s from more than 50 countries, changes and interests of gam-
exhibitions division, said one represents a low cost oppor- blers,” said event director
of the big dangers of reces- tunity for visitors to gain an Petra Lassahn. “There is a
sion is that companies tend understanding and a feel for changing attitude in gaming
to look inwards at a time what other countries are and there are new target
when history shows that doing to get out of the eco- groups such as women,
success comes to those who nomic doldrums.” couples and younger clien-
actually look beyond their “If the antidote to reces- tele. This not only triggers an
traditional own markets and sion is inspiration then visi- enhanced range of machines
develop opportunities in tors will certainly be leaving - it also opens new prospects
new areas. Earls Court in a far more confi- for outfitters.”
“That’s why international dent mood, having had access Over the years, GTI Asia
exhibitions are so vitally to over 2,000 product Taipei has carved out a repu-
Julian Graves Petra Lassahn José Aníbal Aguirre Thomas Liu
GamesWorld | 50 | December 2009/January 2010
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