Germany: IMA 08 expands exhibition area by almost 20 %

With almost two months to go until the opening of the fair, everything now indicates that IMA 2008 will continue on the growth course it embarked upon since it changed its location from Nuremberg to Düsseldorf.

“This is due not only to the new location and the new version of the German Gambling Ordinance passed last year but also to the broadening of the range of products and services offered at IMA as well as to the fact that we could win new exhibitors from both Germany and abroad,” IMA Director Petra Lassahn said at an international trade press conference in Düsseldorf.

With up to 180 exhibitors (previous year 139) on an exhibition area totaling almost 19,000 sqm (16,000 sqm) and 9,000 expected trade visitors (8,300), IMA will be starting off considerably stronger. The most visible indicator of stronger growth is the first-time incorporation of the new Hall 8b of the Düsseldorf Exhibition Centre. This step will significantly increase the space available in the already occupied Hall 8a which in 2007 still had to be supplemented by a temporary hall.

“This gives us the urgently needed space for stand extensions and the incorporation of new exhibitors.” Petra Lassahn said. In each hall, IMA will occupy an equal surface of more than 9,500 sqm each: in Hall 8a with, among others, Bally Wulff, NSM and Crown as well as Compumatic and MEI, in Hall 8b with adp, Schneider Automaten, Mega and Cashpoint, GeWeTe and Recreativos Presas.

IMA will significantly increase its range in the sports games sector. In the billiards segment in particular, the fair practically covers the entire market. The bowling segments are on a positive course as well, Petra Lassahn said.

Suppliers of accessories, furnishings and security products will also increase their presence again compared to previous years. The same applies for the kiddie rides segment with its range of automated games for children, which is relatively new in Germany.