While acknowledging the misgivings felt by some BACTA member exhibitors, association Chief Executive Keith Smith (pictured) believes that it’s now important to get behind the changes. He explained: “Many significant trade and consumer events have been and are successfully operated from Level 1 of Earls Court and I think that if there’s enough commitment from everyone involved, we can make it work. Collectively we have to be positive and give it our best shot for the benefit of our members.

“We will be supporting our members by taking the BACTA Lounge to Level 1, developing a range of additional activities to run alongside and generally taking the opportunity to have a stronger presence.”

Peter Rusbridge – Chief Executive of show organiser Clarion ATE – welcomed BACTA’s decision: “We met with Keith and explained all of the various business issues and dynamics facing the shows. Of course there remain some reservations, but I believe that by working together and implementing the range of significant initiatives in which we are investing, we can make 2007 a landmark show for the trade.”

Harry Levy Amusements – one of the companies leading the vanguard against the changes at the show – has decided to exhibit after all. “To be honest, we still have reservations about the move,” said sales director Gary Newman. “We received scores of letters from other amusement machine manufacturers complaining about the new plans for ATEI and we have thought long and hard about what we should do in this situation. But in the end, Clarion convinced us that they would do their utmost to make the show a success and we feel we owe it to our customers, our fellow exhibitors and the show itself to continue our support.”

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