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EAG 2020 Planners Applaud Strong Turnout And Innovative Exhibits

LONDON, England The 2020 Entertainment, Attractions & Gaming International Expo rang in the new year and decade with a lively, diverse and professionally-oriented program at the Exhibit Center London here. According to the show's organizers, the event was characterized by optimism and positivity among exhibitors and trade visitors alike. The event is sponsored by the British Amusement Catering Trade Association, which reported that many participants remarked favorably on the show's fresh new feel,...

January 30, 2020 by Tim Sanford

LONDON, England - The 2020 Entertainment, Attractions & Gaming International Expo rang in the new year and decade with a lively, diverse and professionally-oriented program at the Exhibit Center London here. According to the show's organizers, the event was characterized by optimism and positivity among exhibitors and trade visitors alike.

The event is sponsored by the British Amusement Catering Trade Association, which reported that many participants remarked favorably on the show's fresh new feel, attributable to many first-time exhibitors and increasingly impressive product presentations from loyal EAG supporters.

"The level of energy at this year's EAG International was almost palpable, with many exhibitors and visitors going out of their way to confirm to us that they had an enjoyable and productive show," said Karen Cooke of Swan Events Ltd. in Harpenden, England, which organizes EAG. "With a balance of new technology and the latest releases of traditional favorites, I think it's fair to say that the show can guarantee innovative products and business tools for every out-of-home leisure and entertainment business."

New stand-alone immersive entertainment experiences were a prominent feature of this year's EAG, contributing to a visually striking exhibit area. Immersive mixed-reality developer Holovis reported a great show. The company's communications manager, Emily Burrows, hailed the show's reach and scope.

"We're surprised how international EAG is," she said. "We've seen a lot of operators who are ready to take the leap into immersive and interactive entertainment in order to stay at the top."

Cashless payment solutions were also in the spotlight, with more than a dozen exhibitors demonstrating the latest integrated products. With these systems reducing operating cost and generating "big data" to support marketing decisions, they were extensively discussed in the exhibits and during the educational program.

A new secure cashless payments mobile app called YALP (spelled backwards is "play") made its debut at EAG. Developed by Game Payment Technology, which is a joint initiative launched by BACTA and Polar Moment, Basingstoke, England, YALP was formally introduced at EAG. The app works with NFC-enabled smart devices; it serves as a mobile "wallet" from which payments can be made, and into which winnings are deposited.

"We've chosen the 2020 show for the official launch of the YALP secure cashless payments app," said GPT financial compliance director John Rozek. "The appetite for YALP has been immense, driven by the decline in use of cash. The product is comprehensive and robust, and addresses many challenges that the pub and amusements markets are facing. It has brought about a new confidence."

At the Kwikpay booth, company founder and chief executive officer Neeraj Bhatia hailed the turnout at EAG 2020. "It has been a really good show," he reported. "Last year was our first time, and we had a lot of general discussions. This year, operators have returned for more in-depth conversations and we're receiving commitments."

Headquartered in London, Kwikpay is a multi-layered digital payment platform used in multiple vertical markets, offering contactless payment solutions, digital payments through an app, data analytics and user insights as well as support for push notices.

EAG's organizers explained that the market for redemption games and systems continues to grow, with showgoers treated to a huge array of imaginative new games and new implementations of  traditional carnival favorites.

Instance Automatics (Sutton-on-Sea, England) had a particularly successful show, according to sales executive James Sweeney. "This is our largest show for new machine launches, with 13 debuting at EAG this year," he said. "We've had great feedback from buyers and seen more European visitors at this year's show."

Whitehouse Leisure International, Basildon, England, a producer of prize merchandise, again had a major presence at the show. Managing director Phil Setter reported a busy three days at each of its three booths.

"EAG International has always been a good show for us, and this year was ahead of last year," Setter said. "We were kept extremely busy with quality customers for the entire duration. As expected, Trolls World Tour was very well received, and we've enjoyed a particularly great response to the Harry Potter range and to Marvel character gloves.

"With redemption continuing to grow, we've invested heavily in our own retail quality products and this year was the busiest ever for our redemption stand," Setter observed.

The event's management team concluded its post-show report by noting that "a striking feature of this year's EAG International was the sheer volume of new product, for which manufacturers and distributors should be congratulated. They were rewarded with buyers from every aspect of out-of-home entertainment, and they clearly had the appetite to invest."

EAG International chairman Martin Burlin summed up the event's performance. "EAG 2020 had a great feel about it," he said. "A number of exhibitors with whom I spoke confirmed that they were very pleased with the quality of the visitors, who were placing orders. I also received a number of positive comments on the new branding." The event, strategically scheduled at the start of a new year, is regarded by many as an indicator of industry confidence, he added; "if they're correct, it looks as though we might be in for a very good year!"

Next year's EAG International will take place at ExCeL London from January 12 to 14 (Tuesday to Thursday), 2021.

VOTE OF CONFIDENCE: The 2020 Entertainment, Attractions & Gaming International Expo in London, England enjoyed strong, enthusiastic participation, its organizers report. Held in mid-January, this year's event featured a major rebranding to reflect the wider scope and variety of today's amusement operations. It's sponsored by the British Amusement Cateriing Trade Association, which noted that the strong buyer interest suggests a profitable new year.

About Tim Sanford

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Tim Sanford is the retired, long-time editor of Vending Times.

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