The International Casino Exhibition (ICE) will be the biggest and busiest on record when the doors open at London’s Earls Court Exhibition Centre on 23-25 January. Offering visitors more than ever before with a roster of around 250 exhibitors drawn from more than 40 countries, ICE – together with its remote gaming sector, ICEi – has broken from the shackles of Earls Court 2’s limiting capacity and now occupies nearly 15,000sqm (161,400sq.ft) of floor space across two halls; a year-on-year increase of nearly 50 per cent.

Show organisers, Clarion ATE announced exhibitor figures at the beginning of December showing a total of 237 companies from 42 national territories having confirmed their presence. The statistic includes no fewer than 50 companies from 18 jurisdictions occupying net floor space of 1,441sqm (15,505sq.ft) within the remote gaming area.

All but one of the top ten exhibitors in 2007 are already well-known brands in the global gaming sector: Novomatic-AGI, IGT-Europe, Atronic International, Aristocrat Technologies Europe, TCS John Huxley, Unidesa Gaming & Systems, Informatica Franco, Amatic Industries and WMS Gaming. One newcomer to the league of ICE’s biggest hitters, Fair Play Srl is planning to bring a consortium of suppliers from the Italian industry to present a unified pavilion. A total of 15 companies will have showcases in excess of 200sqm (2,152sq.ft) with a further 20 occupying stands of 100sqm (1,076sq.ft) or more.

The increase in floor space has not only enabled many of the returning exhibitors to expand their presence, it has also facilitated a substantial flow of new companies, bringing with them fresh ideas and new approaches. At least 66 companies from 27 countries will make their maiden appearance at ICE 2007. Amongst the high profile list of debutants are Caro Developpement (France), KSI Corporation (USA), CH & L Eagle Export (Cyprus), IPA (Slovenia), Zephyr (Slovenia), Casinos Austria Management (Austria), Oasis Retail Services, AW Neoon (Estonia), F2 Systems (Korea), Spin3 (Israel), Video B Holdings (Virgin Islands), Gametronix (Canada) and Display Technology (UK).

Also featuring in ICE for the first time are 23 companies who have opted to relocate their pitches from the co-located ATEI (soft gaming) exhibition. Joining Italy’s Fair Play on the list of ex-ATEI ICE debutants are, amongst others, Zipo (Slovenia), Project (UK), Ace A&G (Korea), WEBAK Games (Austria), Innovative Technology (UK), Infinitygames Production (Austria), Heber (UK), Elo TouchSystems (Belgium) and Industrias Lorenzo (Spain).

The international spread of suppliers setting out their stalls at ICE is one of the key characteristics which give the London Show its leading edge in the breadth of equipment on offer, covering every facet of the business for casino operators in every jurisdiction around the world. Of the 237 confirmed exhibitors, 77 are UK-based, with the remaining 67.5 per cent drawn from 41 territories. The USA heads the international list with 26 exhibitors, followed by Slovenia (11), Spain (nine), Austria and the Netherlands (eight each), Italy (seven) and Canada, France, Korea, Russia and Sweden (six each).

The restructuring of the Earls Court floor plans has not only released additional floor space for new and expanding exhibitors, it also means that attendees at the 2007 show will benefit from much called-for visitor services, including new bars and restaurants in both ICE and ICEi, as well as extra business facilities, networking/meeting points, seating areas and improved cloakrooms. ICE visitors involved with soft gaming will find navigation around ATEI much easier this time around as all gaming equipment is now located on the adjacent ground floor, the amusements and leisure products having been relocated to Level 1 of Earls Court 1.

Clarion ATE’s Head of Exhibitions, Karen Cooke commented: “ICE is on course to celebrate a vintage year in January, when we hope to break the 10,000 visitor barrier for the first time. ICE has now truly come of age. It’s packed with ideas and thousands of products from the best providers in the business, so for the industry’s trend spotters it’s the place to be and the place to be inspired. The 2007 show represents the best package of thought-provoking, business enriching opportunities for serious industry players.”
(E-12.07.06)

© Copyright 2006 CasinoCompendium



>>> return to archives
>>> return to frontpage