The fifth Surexpo took place at the Warsaw Exhibition Hall from October 19-21. A total of 121 firms exhibited, five less than last year. There were 34 companies who exhibited from outside Poland.
Most of the product on show was from the AWP sector in the area dedicated to the Chamber of Commerce of Producers and Operators of Amusement Equipment (a member of Euromat), which orgainses the show with Interplay magazine and the Wigor Agency.
The largest stands at the show belonged to Novomatic (which received the prize for the best foreign stand), Nowopol (best stand
Polish company), JPM-Synot, Orion, Vegas, Suzo-Eurocoin, Fortuna, Europlay, Kajot and Merkur Gaming.
While the show was dominated by AWP product (which the Institute of Market Economy in Poland estimates will generate 250m Polish Zloty by the end of this year), amusement equipment also played an important role during the exhibition.
The kiddie-ride sector was strongly represented by companies such as Jakar, Dawpol (a prizewinner for the Mr Buggy ride), Magic Play, Kalkomat, Kriss Sport, Kupper Automaty and Eurogames. Unfortunately, most of the amusement sector did not show new product, as it was waiting for the ATEI exhibition in London. A notable exception was the new company X-Line, from Rybnik, which showed the Strong Man arm-wrestling machine that also won a prize.
Other prize-winning products included JPM’s Linear Cabinet (see below) the Trilogy from Suzo, the Trendy No Limit touchscreen from Merkur Gaming, the Locomotive kiddie ride from Falgas, and the Pepo Roulette from Gold Club. Pool tables from Oscar were also recognised, as was the bumper billiard table Grzybek from Wik and the one-player roulette from Titanex.
New exhibitors included Vizio - a cabinet maker from Bartoszyce - and Kriss, mentioned above, which manufactures boxing machines. Several companies showed machine management systems, including K.O.S with its Gamekeeper and Nowoproject with its Iskra and Vegas systems.
The organisers estimated there were around 5,000 visitors at this year’s show. Most of these were interested in the AWP industry and there appeared to be optimism in the future of the sector, due partly to the fact that there are no proposed law changes in the foreseeable future.
In addition, it was agreed that the Warsaw location for the show is preferable to the former Wroclaw site, if the show is to attract exhibitors and visitors from central and Eastern Europe, and not only from Poland.
Will you be visiting the InterGame Expo?
- 13 - 16 January, 2009
IMA - Germany - 27 - 29 January, 2009
International Gaming Expo - UK - 11 - 13 February, 2009
EAAPA - Russia - 17 - 19 February, 2009
Gaming Expo Belgrade - Serbia - 03 - 04 March, 2009
AmEx 2009 - Dublin - Ireland - 11 - 13 March, 2009
ASI - Las Vegas, USA
