FADJA 2012 concluded with a “very satisfactory” balance

Which is the balance of the two-day event?
Very satisfactory. We think we have complied not only with our goals but also with the expectations of the manufacturers and the operators that have found in FADJA the meeting point of the Colombian industry. We received the visit of operators that we have not seen for two years, There was much optimism. It has been a very productive event.

How many visitors were there?
Around 1,500 daily visitors. There were all specialized professionals that came to do business. It was highlighted by the exhibitors. It is a very good indicator for an event that had three difficult years due to the uncertainty of the regulatory frame.

What is your vision on the future of the Colombian market in the short and medium-term with the creation of Coljuegos?
There is still going on a process of organizing the new entity and ending the previous one. Coljuegos will start operating in approximately eight months. Due to political reasons, it may delay a little bit. When Coljuegos starts operating and makes use of its faculty to grant licenses (the previous entity could not do it), the local operation will surely strenghten the local operation. In the medium term, I suppose that, for the future FADJA edition, we will have news on the foreign investment. We are in a positive way.

How many exhibitors there were compared to last year?
We grew a 20%. In 2011 we counted with 80 exhibitors and this year there were 105. We also grew a 20% in the exhibiting area. Exhibitors have been interested in having large spaces to show their products comfortably. In FADJA they always invest good money in their booths to attract their customers and visitors.

What operators have visited the event?
The representatives of the Colombian Federation of Games of Chance Businessmen (FECEAZAR), which has among its members big firms like Codere and Grupo Vicca. The support of this institution is reflected in the fact that it always plans its annual assembly within the event. There were also present Winner Group - Cirsa Colombia (FECOLJUEGOS) of the Colombian Games of Chance Association (ACOJA).

FECOLJUEGOS and ACOJA have been growing and strenghening in the industry. It is another novelty of the industry: the growth of the trade union part. That’s why we augurate very good things for the future. There are little gaps in the new law and everyone is working together. It is a historical momento. There is very good will.

Even local manufacturers are meeting to protect their intellectual property rights and fight against illegality. The fact that the most important manufacturers are thinking in cooperating and speak a single language towards the government is a good indicator. It means they are looking at the market in four or five years’ time due to the issue of machine replacement. With all this frame, FADJA strenghtens at an institutional level.