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ATEI to stay at Earls Court in 2009
Inconclusive results from a recent poll of UK-based companies who exhibit at ATEI have left organisers Clarion Gaming with little option but to open up floor plans for next January's show at Earls Court.
The questionnaire, which asked nearly 100 UK-based ATEI exhibitors to state their preferred venue for 2009, returned an even split with around a quarter opting for Earls Court and another quarter siding with Olympia.
With almost half of the companies choosing not to take part in the ballot and only a quarter of the exhibitor base positively citing Olympia as their preference, Clarion Gaming do not have a sufficient critical mass with which to negotiate for a suitable timeslot at Olympia. Clarion Gaming's head of exhibitions, Karen Cooke commented: "We remain absolutely committed to giving the industry what it wants and that means moving the show if that's what it decides.
However we simply can't do that in 09 with the level of commitment that we received so we have no alternative but to get on with planning for next January's show which must now stay at Earls Court.
We will keep the issue on the table and make the move in 2010 if the support is there but in the meantime our aim must be to work with the industry and try everything possible to make ATEI 09 a success.
"We will create a series of working groups to look at areas such as marketing, operations and logistics so that exhibitors can really get involved with the way that ATEI is promoted and run. This will give us a better understanding of exhibitor requirements and help them to find better ways of getting the most out of the event.
"I have been personally involved with this show and the BACTA members for most of my working life and want to keep that relationship alive and thriving. I am discussing all our findings and plans with BACTA and really value their input and commitment.
We have had to make the decision to move on with the process but this is not the end of the story. I will do everything in my power to keep improving the show and make it a success for every exhibitor."
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