“We see an increasingly connected, more globalized industry”: José Anibal Aguirre, CEO of GAT EXPO

What can you tell us about your experience and your presence at ICE?

R/ The opportunity that Clarion Gaming and Liliana Costa has offered us for some years to participate with special facilities and a stand at ICE London is ultimately great for us as leaders in the organization of events in the gaming industry in Latin America. . For this reason, we prepare with digital and printed material, highlighting the Gaming & Technology Expo schedule each year and, in particular in 2024, it was crucial to announce the change of our event from Punta Cana to Santo Domingo, whose realization will be verified on the following days. September 18 and 19 under the name GAT Showcase Santo Domingo, in a defined alliance with the executive management of CIBELAE. Specifically, it was also essential to promote our debut in Mexico, entering through Cancún, on November 27 and 28.

In commercial terms, what is you evaluation? Did you meet the goals proposed? Did new collaborations or business alliances arise?

R/The GAT Expo stand that highlighted the cities in which we will focus our activities as exhibitors and organizers of relevant academic conferences in the region, became a focus of attraction since it is proven that this economic sector has no borders and that the old continent is looking for ways to conquer and incorporate new jurisdictions and millions of players. We were able to visit and share concerns about GAT Expo Cartagena with traditional exhibitors such as Novomatic, Merkur Gaming, Zuum, Pragmatic Play, Amusnet, among others. ICE London gave us the opportunity to share special moments with Dr. Miguel Ángel Ochoa, president of AIEJA, which is the Association of Permit Holders, Operators and Suppliers of the Entertainment and Gambling Industry in Mexico, now converted into a bulwark and guarantee of our arrival in that market, fundamental in the present and future of the sector in the American continent. Within the framework of GAT Caribe Cancún, AIEJA will hold its last ordinary annual meeting for the first time outside of CDMX, on November 26. This decision ratifies the association's confidence in our work and we are honored to be your hosts in Cancun.

What aspect can you remark about the changes and the future of the industry? How do you prepare for it?

R/We see an increasingly connected, more globalized industry. With a simple tour of the ICE stands, the new technologies are obvious, as is the extraordinary ability of digital creators to offer the player multiple options to win, achieving permanence in their portfolios with additional incentives and opportunities in the games. As organizers of successful trade fairs and meetings, we highlight the importance of improving every day in the academic and updating offer of each event. This must always be done in a contextualized manner with the jurisdiction in which the activity is carried out. We encourage the meeting of regulators, local associations and other countries, as well as the incorporation of the topics of responsible gaming and environmental commitment of the sector.

What aspects can you highlight from the last edition in London? And how are you facing Barcelona 2025?

R/ The thousands of attendees in London could not help but refer to a double feeling of nostalgia for not being able to return next year to the original ICE stage and, at the same time, everyone commented on their expectations in relation to what will happen in Barcelona on January 21 and 22, 2025.

On our side, the alliance with Clarion Gaming is strengthened and we are excited about the Spanish-speaking and Latin accent that we will find in Barcelona next year. The Spanish language is gaining more importance in the world every day, and, obviously, this is reflected in the good success and growth of GAT events.