IMA – International Trade Fair for Amusement and Vending Machines will be held between 14 to 17 January 2014 at Düsseldorf Exhibition Centre in Germany
Big companies like GAUSELMANN, LÖWEN ENTERTAINMENT and BALLY WULFF will be present.
Full HD devices, high-quality multi-game devices as well as comprehensive concepts for the “games arcade of the future” are the topics presented at IMA 2014 by the big industry players. Some 150 exhibitors will present themselves with new products and ideas. First and foremost, of course, the traditional largest three exhibitors at the trade fair: LÖWEN ENTERTAINMENT, GAUSELMANN and BALLY WULFF. IMA features a large number of innovations. On the other hand, the political imponderabilities resulting from the latest legislation are cause for concern for exhibitors and visitors in the run-up to the most important industry meeting in Germany. As a result, one focus of the upcoming Trade Fair for Amusement and Vending Machines will be the exchange with colleagues from the industry.
“Commercial gaming is gaining in popularity. More and more people are seeking entertainment with our state-of-the-art gaming machines with small stakes and moderate winnings. I am also optimistic that, in a joint effort and with the help of the courts, we will stop the threatening legal restrictions”, is how Mario Hoffmeister, Head of Central Communications at GAUSELMANN AG, judges the current situation in the industry. The company looks to IMA with anticipation. Hoffmeister expects the trade fair to bring “first and foremost, of course, large numbers of visitors to our stand. And one thing I can say already at this stage, the visit will be worthwhile. Once again, we will live up to our reputation as the industry’s leader in innovation. Let us surprise you!” Where developing new machines is concerned, GAUSELMANN is among those setting the trends – currently the full HD resolution for machines. “As in television sets, tablets or smartphones, ‘full HD resolution’ will also become the dominant technology in multigame devices”, says Mario Hoffmeister. “In this field we have an absolutely unique selling proposition with our new top machine, the Merkur Vision Slant Top SL which is certain to cause a sensation among gaming guests. Another focus of our trade fair presentation will be our varied sportsbetting range.”
Against the background of the current legal situation, attending the trade fair is also an absolute must, emphasises Christian Arras, CEO of LÖWEN ENTERTAINMENT GmbH, which traditionally stages a large and prestigious presentation at IMA in Hall 8a of the Düsseldorf Exhibition Centre. “Especially in view of the uncertain future of the industry after 2017, strategic and sustainable planning is of major importance for suppliers already today. The high-quality LÖWEN and Crown multigame devices offer machine equipment distributors/operators top performance of the type required in today’s games arcades”, says Christian Arras. “IMA 2014 offers the entire industry an excellent opportunity not only to present itself but particularly to enter into an intensive exchange of ideas. In this context, we will be capable of providing interesting specialist discussions and consultation at the event”, Christian Arras continues. As a result of current political framework conditions, the development in the area of machine operation is characterised by major structural strange, he says. “The fundamental requirement of also being well positioned in future and able to compete in the long term against other forms of gaming, especially illegal gambling, is attractive, reasonably regulated gaming. This is what we stand for.”
Once again, Hall 8a is also the trade fair location of BALLY WULFF Games & Entertainment GmbH. Competence and innovation in state-of-the-art gaming ideas and systems have earned the Berlin company growing acceptance in the market. Currently BALLY WULFF is particularly successful in the German market in a variety of fields, multi-user devices being one of them. “This positive response”, says Head of Marketing Francesco Vescio, “motivates our games developers to present remarkable new products especially at IMA”. Naturally, the ensemble of the state legislation on gambling arcades and the implementing legislation relating to the Amendment to the State Treaty on Gambling are certainly cause for concern. “We are certain, however, that, both by legal and mostly by political means, we will be able to secure a fair chance for the future”, Francesco Vescio says. “Certification is exactly the approach to re-establish confidence in political circles. Although we may have grown attached to them, we must leave our well-trodden paths. The task is to take active part in shaping the future and to present concepts that can serve as a basis for discussions. With the participation of our industry, scientific/preventive and political circles, we want to promote a games arcade of the future offering comprehensive player protection and is economically viable”, says Francesco Vescio. The company expects IMA to provide generally positive signals and a sense of optimism. “We will make a decisive contribution with our products. Therefore, we are looking forward to Düsseldorf, a large number of trade visitors and many interesting talks to present our novelties as well as the perspectives our leisure products offer. The visit to BALLY WULFF will be worthwhile in more than one respect. Curiosity is called for and will definitely not be disappointed”, says Francesco Vescio.
Three options to be present at IMA
Option 1: Register online – pay online
Visitors have the option of registering for the trade fair online and paying for the ticket by credit card. Once onsite, they’ll be able to directly access the halls using their electronic ticket without having to wait.
Option 2: Register online – pay onsite
Visitors who register online but don’t have a credit card handy can opt to purchase their ticket at the venue. There may be a short wait at the ticket office, but the reduced online price will still be honoured.
Option 3: Register onsite – pay onsite
Of course visitors deciding to attend on the spur of the moment can also opt to register and purchase tickets at the venue. In that case, they’ll pay regular admission prices for their tickets.
About IMA
The event host, the Association of the German Amusement and Vending Machine Industry (VDAI), and the organiser, Reed Exhibitions Deutschland GmbH, expect about 150 exhibitors and 9,000 visitors at IMA, the International Trade Fair for Amusement and Vending Machines, held from 14 – 17 January 2014. A vast range of amusement machines with cash-winning options and the entire spectrum of electronic entertainment, sport gaming machines as well as cash management systems and equipment furnishing concepts for state-of-the-art entertainment arcades and bowling centres will be on display.
