ATE has completed its move to Earls Court to join new owners Clarion Events. ATE's new address is Earls Court Exhibition Centre, Warwick Road, London SW5 9TA and for the next three months contact telephone and fax numbers and e-mail addresses will remain the same. The main telephone number is +44 (0) 20 7370 8560. ATE retains its northern office in Bolton, where the company's publications division resides. As ATE embarked on its integration within Clarion, Dawn Millroy, ATE's Head of Conferences, announced her decision to take redundancy. Explaining the move she said, "Clarion Events is a professional and established exhibition company and their teams of operations specialists are responsible for all 53 of the events organised by the company. I have been given an option to work with Clarion on a consultancy basis and I hope to develop additional opportunities within the gaming and gambling industries. I have thoroughly enjoyed the last 26 years in the industry and intend to continue that journey - in one way or another!" Peter Rusbridge, who has worked with Dawn for the last 15 years said, "Dawn is a one-off; a unique character with whom it has been an honour to work alongside. There can be no doubt that she has made a massive contribution, helping ATE to achieve the reputation it enjoys as a leading force in the international industry. I sincerely hope that she accepts the consultancy role that has been offered."
ATE's flagship events, ATEI and ICE will take place at the Earls Court Exhibition Centre, London, UK on 24-26 January 2006. Industry professionals planning to visit the 2006 ATEI and ICE exhibitions will benefit from even greater assistance with their travel arrangements to the world's leading amusements, gaming and gambling extravaganza. Show organisers, ATE are finalising the provision of an automated online facility which will provide visitors with personalised invitations and visa application forms. When visitors register for free entry badges online at either
www.ateonline.co.uk/atei or
www.ateonline.co.uk/ice from early September, the online visa-helper will automatically detect if they require a visa to enter the United Kingdom. A personalised letter of invitation to the London Show from the organisers will then be instantly generated in .pdf format for printing/downloading (
pictured), which can subsequently be forwarded to the relevant British Consulate in support of each individual's visa application. This service will streamline the process, enabling international buyers to finalise their travel plans and hotel requirements more quickly and easily.
ATE's Head of Marketing, John Fenna said, "As the most international expo on the world calendar there is a clear and obvious need for this service, which was successfully trialled for last year's show and has now been improved upon. Foreign nationals from close to 100 nations require a visa to enter the UK, around 70 countries of which have been represented at ATEI and ICE in recent years. Many of our visitors who require visas also need to make earlier preparations for long-haul flights and accommodation. It is therefore essential that we offer all the help we can in making sure that these important people have all the necessary documentation as early as possible." In 2005, 56.7 per cent of buyers who visited ICE made the journey from outside of the United Kingdom with the international contingent at ATEI comprising 32.4 per cent of the total. Of the 10,067 total overseas attendance, nearly 20 per cent would have required a travel visa.
