EAG will honour some of the most respected names to have served the UK amusements and low stake gaming industry when the premier show for the domestic sector opens at ExCeL London on 10th January.
EAG 2023 which will comprise a show floor of industry-leading innovation, new centre-piece features and a seminar programme focussing on a number of the most pressing business issues of the day will be collectively opened by a VIP party comprising all remaining Directors from the ATEI era as well as the current EAG board.
EAG 2023 will be declared officially open at a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by industry servants including Frank Manzi, Charles Henry, Roger Withers, Simon Thomas, John Bollom, Martin Burlin, Chris Haley, Jason Frost, Greg Wood, Tim Batstone, James Miller and Gabi Stergides.
EAG Chairman Martin Burlin, who has served the industry as both an ATEI and an EAG Director explained: “EAG is a celebration of everything that is unique about our industry including the key personalities such as Frank Manzi who have helped to guide it over many, many decades.
“Our aim is to use January’s event to mark the longevity of our industry and to do this we have invited all remaining ATEI Directors and the current EAG Directors to collectively open the Show on Tuesday 10th January at 10.00 a.m. and to join me afterwards for some refreshments and no doubt reminiscing in the bacta lounge.
“We’ve had an overwhelmingly positive response to the invitation and everyone who can be at EAG on January 10th will be there which reflects the huge importance of an event that dates back to 1936 – longevity that’s shared by only a small number of UK-based exhibitions.”
Looking ahead to the 2023 show he added: “As well as representing the perfect place to see the latest revenue-boosting products, source fresh ideas to increase footfall and network with fellow professionals EAG 2023 will also see the launch of the new Safer Gambling Hub which will be the first dedicated to the land-based low stake sector.
“We are also taking a new approach to the EAG Seminar Programme with practical sessions dedicated to providing advice on how to engage with politicians and elected representatives, customer engagement strategies and the delivery of an enjoyable customer experience, a summit dedicated to machine performance in pubs and clubs and a very practical focus on reducing business costs. In addition, we will shortly announce details of the new Bingo Hub which will be another EAG 2023 show launch.”
Gabi Stergides
“Ours is a face-to-face industry where ideas and plans are talked about, shared and formed. We’re not an online sales industry, 90 percent of all sales are from personal relationships so events like EAG are massively important in order to support this.
It is precisely when times are tough that new ideas and products are key to getting us out of a slump. Looking back on my experience at the show
there was an after party organised by Electrocoin and SEGA (special thanks to Justin Burke) at a place called ‘The Box’. Everyone who went that night share a common camaraderie for an unforgettable evening! For industry colleagues based outside London who may not have been on the Elizabeth line it’s amazing and gets you to central London quicker than a helicopter would. It’s a game-changer because visiting EAG now means visiting London rather than just being at ExCeL. After so many delays to what was originally called Crossrail, I’m glad to finally see it working and working brilliantly well!”
Chris Haley
“EAG is one of the most important events in the industry calendar. Long before Dransfields and Reflex Gaming joined together, EAG gave the opportunity to meet with existing suppliers to discuss products and product innovation as well as making connections with new exhibitors. It also provided the ideal showcase for us to bring along our customers and engage with them on future plans and opportunities. It is also a fantastic networking event where one can easily catch up with industry friends and colleagues.
EAG was the perfect event at which to demonstrate the coming together of Dransfields and Reflex Gaming via the opening of our iconic Dransfield Arms – which has proved to be one of the most popular stands at the Show.
Whilst I understand that we are in challenging times, I think that attending EAG is always worth the time and effort. I cannot remember ever leaving the show thinking that I wish I hadn’t bothered: I always come away with some new ideas on how to drive business forward. I remember attending my first ATEI 25 years ago and being amazed by the ‘buzz’, the sights and the sounds of the Show. I also remember getting a repetitive strain injury caused by relentlessly playing shooting games that year! I did enjoy us opening the Dransfield Arms with everyone saying how much they loved it. What can I say, I thoroughly enjoy EAG every year, and every year creates a new happy memory! I travelled the Elizabeth line as soon as I could and was impressed by the engineering and the quality of the trains and stations. In terms of EAG it will be transformational, opening up access to central London and enabling easy transportation to the Show – as an aside we now need similar investment in the North to link our great cities and create growth and opportunities there as well!
Simon Thomas
“Opportunities such as EAG should be seized and appreciated. Live events are essential to the industry. The last couple of years have demonstrated the importance of face-to-face contact, and the value you get from the chat around exhibitions, the chance encounters, the developing themes in discussions. I can remember working a stand with a mechanical putting green that changed shape each round. It never took off but it was a fun concept and made me have a lot of respect for the people who man the stands. The Elizabeth line is a game changer for ExCeL. The connection from Central London is now fantastic. Fast and smooth. It was just 18-minutes from ExCeL to the Hippodrome when I tried it.”