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ATEI Attendance Figures reflect UK Industry downturn
Statistics released by show organisers Clarion Events reveal that whilst international attendance levels at the 2008 Amusement Trades Exhibition International (ATEI) held steady, the show experienced a downturn in visitors from the host nation, reflecting the parlous state of the UK coin-op industry.
The final three-day attendance figure of 11,917 unique visitors represents an 8.6 per cent decrease on the 2007 total. 91.5 per cent of the year-on-year deficit comprised UK visitors, whose numbers fell from 8,245 to 7,119.
Head of Exhibitions, Karen Cooke reflected: "The home market experienced probably its worst trading year on record, following the introduction of the Gambling Bill, the smoking ban and an economy on the brink of recession. We deployed additional resources to the domestic visitor campaign including dedicated direct marketing comprising telephone canvassing of previous visitors and a specific coastal arcade campaign." She added: "The UK industry is, to quote commentary in the Financial Times newspaper (6th February), in 'desperate straits' and in some ways we were surprised that the domestic figure was not lower."
The ratio of international buyers increased year-on-year from 36.0 to 38.4 per cent of the overall attendance. The number of nations represented on the show floor rose by one to 88, with two territories – the Aland Islands and Tonga – making their first ever appearance at the show. Italy maintained its dominant position at the head of the overseas visitor league table, growing its attendance by 4.7 per cent to 576, Spain held second place with 542 visitors (+6.5 per cent) with Germany moving up to third growing 4.4 per cent to 309.
Karen Cooke ended: "Over the next few weeks and months we will be working closely with exhibitors, both UK-based and international, with the aim of enhancing all aspects of what remains the most international b2b expo on the calendar."
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