“FADJA 2011 will no doubt be a great success”

How has this year been for 3A Producciones? Now, with a certain perspective in time, Which is the balance you can make of FADJA, CIJUEGO and AGE?
Concluding this 2010, we can conclude that it has been a year of big efforts, new challenges and an important task for the coming year. The Andean Games of Chance Event (FADJA) suvived a difficult situation, due to restrictions produced at the beginning of the year for the entrance of new machines to the Colombian market. Fortunately, the confidence of our customers prevailed over the uncertainty and we had a smaller but high-quality show, with more visitors from many Latin American countries.

With regards to the International Gaming Congress, Cijuego PERU, the balance cannot be better. The Peruvian industry was satisfied with the new format, together with a small corporate exhibition. 120 people participated in a top-quality simposium in which speakers treated topics of special interest for the gaming industry.

We needed to live Aruba Gaming Expo (AGE) experience. The project has been planned for more than two years and had been suspended in two occasions before. With this initiative, we had the chance to “knock at the door” and “wake up” a great part of Caribbean operators. The course dictated by the University of Nevada, Reno, left a very positive impression among participants. The issue of “Casino Security and Surveillance” is always a priority and requires constant update.
 
How do you plan the 2011 editions of those events?
FADJA 2011 will no doubt be a great success. Concluding the year, we have sold an 80% of the exhibition area with contracts already signed. Through our marketing and communications departments, we have achieved a very fluent relationship with traditional, new and potential customers that are permanently informed on the project, its possibilities and advantages.

With regards to the meeting of visitors, we managed to obtain, in our events as well as in the shows we visit, valuable information that has enabled us to expand our data base and reach every operator of the industry in the continent, from Mexico to the Southern Cone. That’s why we are sure visitors to FADJA 2011 will increase considerably. Another positive signal is the reactivation of the Colombian market, each time closer to enter in the online stage.

On the educational side, we will again count with the support of the University of Nevada, Reno, with a specialized course. Besides, FECOLJUEGOS will be leading the Regulatory Forum. Besides, FEDELCO has shown interest in participating in the academic schedule, with a round table adressed to the combat against several illegal lotteries in Colombia. One of the novelties of the following event will be the business rounds that we are coordinating in strategic alliance with Colombian firm TSM, with great experience in the organization of commercial and highly productive events. FADJA 2011 will take place next April 13 and 14 in Corferias, Bogota, Colombia.

Cijuego Perú, whose dates will be next June 8 and 9, also have most of the exhibitors confirmed. The reality is that there are very few spaces available at the exhibition and the University of Nevada will dictate the trainning courses, in association with SONAJA and the General Direction of Slots from MINCETUR from Peru.

With regards to AGE, we are negotiating a probable sponsorship for the performance of the event; it will be held at Westin Hotel & Resort, where we organized the first versión. Many Caribbean casinos are already asking us which will be the theme of the next course.

In general, How do you think exhibitions and congresses must evolve in order to keeo on attracting the attention from manufacturers (exhibitors) and operators (visitors)?
Definitely, exhibitions and congresses are a unique learning opportunity both for manufacturers and operators. The events have the power to regulate prices, know the scope of the competition, bring the buyer the chance to “touch” the product and reach a variety of possibilities before the moment of the purchase decision.

Which are the main problems that businessmen that decide to bet for an industry like this have to face in countries such as Colombia, Peru and the Caribbean? And which are the benefits and opportunities?
In general in Latin America, problems lie in the disloyal competence that illegal gaming means and in the changes of the legal frame. We have to remark the key importance of a legal frame, as in Colombia, Peru and Aruba. Benefits and opportunities are brounght in a new and flexible market, with management possibilities and in full development.