NOVOTEL
LONDON WEST
London W6
Wednesday 20 Oct 2010
10.00 - 18.00
Thursday 21 Oct 2010
10.00 - 16.00
Organised by HOWARD & WIKBERG
PROMOTIONS
+44[0]20 7387 2021
Contact Ylva Howard ylva@preview-uk.com
Press Reports
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Preview To Preview 2010 Page 3 of 13 Coinslot Review 2nd - 8th October 2009
Driving in There is easy access to the M4 (London’s Heathrow Airport and the M25 are just 20 minutes away) and the West End is just ten minutes down the road.
“Almotech’s aim is to remove all the risk and all the hassle normally associated with operating an estate of jukeboxes.” ALMOTECH ON THEIR PLANS FOR THE PREVIEW EXPO
A VIEW TO PREVIEW Preview works on two levels for Electrocoin Sales LEVELS BEST RAISING AWARENESS As a showcase for the ‘here and now’ and a platform for assessing future trends, Preview fulfils a vital industry role according to Electrocoin’s Kevin Weir.
Kevin Weir, business development director at Electrocoin Sales, is anticipating a positive showing at next week’s Preview, firstly as a platform from which to show off the firm’s new product range and, secondly, as an event that facilitates plenty of forward thinking.
“Any opportunity to showcase our latest models has to be taken seriously,” he told Coinslot Review. ”However, Preview works for Electrocoin on two levels due to the diverse range of products that we have available. Firstly, the show is very much a UK market event and possibly one that is geared towards the single site market more than the January shows.
“Electrocoin has always had video product aimed at the pub market, but in the past 18 months, has proven itself as a major player in the hi-tec Category C business with a string of approved models. Preview presents an opportunity to meet and discuss the current market and raise awareness of our products to customers who are gaining new business in this rapidly changing sector.
“Secondly, it is exactly what the name says, ‘Preview’, a chance to unveil product that will be launched at EAG, sometimes in a format that is still under development. This is certainly the case with one or two new games; however, we are also expecting a great deal of interest from brand new products that are ready to go, such as Konami’s DDRX and GTI Club 2, as well as Hopping Road from Taito that is a totally new concept.”
Talking more holistically about Preview’s role within the industry, Weir added: “Preview provides a post summer lift to manufacturers and distributors alike. It sharpens the focus of the industry and raises the awareness that new initiatives are always being developed. It is also a great networking event that builds momentum towards EAG.”
Turning to his expectations in terms of machine sales next week, Weir stated: “We have a number of products ‘ready to go’ and a few that are aimed at the coming months. Looking at the games that are available now, I would be disappointed not to have a good show. It is a good feeling to go into an event such as Preview knowing that the interest in what you have on offer will be exceptionally high.”
Does Weir think that the launch of a second London show in January will alter the dynamics of Preview? “Not really,” he responded. “As a show that is predominantly aimed at the UK market, the knock on benefit would traditionally have been at ATEI; however, looking at the line-up of companies attending EAG, it is clear that it will be a straight switch of business towards the ExCel show.”
This year’s Preview has more significance for an industry in search of answers
CLARITY OF THOUGHT CONSENSUS OF OPINION
There are some pressing issues out there thanks to a whole host of influencing factors affecting the business. Can Preview deliver some answers? Brent Sales’ John Brennan considers the question.
John Brennan, commercial director of Brent Sales, believes that next week’s Preview offers a perfect opportunity for the industry to come together during times of continued uncertainty.
Talking to Coinslot in advance of the show, he said: “Although fewer individuals and families went overseas for their traditional summer breaks, the absence of the UK’s much anticipated BBQ summer combined with the uncertainty surrounding the overall economy quite literally put a dampener on proceedings as far as the amusements business is concerned.
“Preview is always an important two days in the calendar but next week’s event is likely to hold a lot more significance for an industry that is looking for answers to some pressing issues. I sense that the business is looking for some clarity of thought, some vision and a consensus of opinion which will hopefully be abundant at Preview.”
Brennan explained: “Exhibitions are about product and product has always been the driver of this business. As the pre-eminent machine company in the UK we work in partnership with leading games innovators and developers based throughout the world to bring our customers the pick of the crop, the best of the best. Put very simply, our function is to scour the world for the very best products across all games categories; hence we have exclusive distribution agreements with leading names such as Raw Thrills, ICE and Fantasy.
“In a very tangible and practical sense Preview allows us to introduce these new game concepts into the redemption and general amusement genres that have performed well recently and gauge the response from operators. We will be looking to Preview as a method of judging if our new product offerings will create the necessary impact to influence income performance and sales in the coming year.
“The modern machine company should be much more than a broker of product: the need to provide customers with expert consultancy and an attention to detail has never been greater. We place great emphasis on being close to our customers, visiting them in their premises not once a year but on a regular basis, understanding the issues that they face and delivering affordable solutions. Preview will be an extension of what we do in the field and an opportunity for us to host our customers surrounded by innovative product.”
As for Brennan’s expectations of this year’s event: “Going into the exhibition I have to say that we are upbeat as a team: our confident mindset is based on the developments and enhancements made to existing products as well as the introduction of new games to the lineup. In this business you are only as good as your last product and we have good reason to remain confident in our ability to at least maintain Preview 2009 levels of business, which in the current trading environment is good.”
