Glimpse in the future – first Balkan Entertainment & Gaming Expo (BEGE) and the first Eastern European Gaming Summit (EEGS).
The 1st Balkan Entertainment & Gaming Expo (BEGE 2008) took place on 30 September – 2 October in Expo Convention Center in Sofia, Bulgaria. The exposition took more than 5000 sq. meters trade show area with more 60 exhibitors, where visitors met the latest trends and developments, presented from the international and local leaders in the gaming, entertainment and tourism industry, including: WMS, MEI, SUZO, Aristocrat. The European region was presented by leading names in the industry, including: Fair Play, Casino Technology, EGT, Alfastreet, Gold Club, TCS – John Huxley. A lot of companies took part in the entertainment section of the Exhibition such as: Igro Service, JPL, Golden Game, Synot W and many others.
At the same time with the trade show washeld the 1st Eastern European Gaming Summit (EEGS) for gaming and entertainment industry allowing visitors to enjoy all the benefits of both the trade exposition and the seminars . There were presented and discussed the main topics of the day connected with the regulatory framework, as well as the development of business environment and the implementation of new technologies in the in the industry.
Both events are initiative of Bulgarian Trade Association of the Manufacturers and Operators in the Gaming Industry, which is the main representative body of the companies producing gaming equipment or operating gambling facilities in Bulgaria. Patronage of the event is the State Commission on Gambling in Bulgaria. Official supporters of the conference are Spectrum Gaming Group, Slot Academy and Raving Consulting. The lecturers’ group will feature some of the most prominent persons in the gaming branch of today, such as Mr. Eduardo Antoja, Honorary President of EUROMAT, Mr. Rene Lindsen – Director of Global Gaming Business Magazine, superior representatives of Nevada Tourism Alliance, Gaming Laboratories International, International American Gaming Association (IAGA), Las Vegas University, Gaming boards of more than 10 countries, some of the most famous casino chains as well as a range of official representatives of Bulgarian state institutions, including Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Economy, Bulgarian National Tourism Board, Bulgarian Hotel and Restaurant association and Bulgarian Gaming Associations. The holding of those first of the kind events in Bulgaria aims to present to the global audience the advantages and the unique features of the Balkan region, revealing its huge potential for development of gaming and entertainment business. The exhibition is also an exciting challenge for all the branch representatives in Bulgaria, which will have the opportunity to host and visit for the first time such kind of a local event. Similar events have been organized for a long time all over the world. Most of them have gain huge popularity, becoming the right places for everybody in the industry to meet and track the global tendencies and being there is always a matter of prestige. The ambition of the organizers of the first Bulgarian exhibition is to make BEGE expo the same important event, becoming an obligatory date in the year-plan of the biggest part of the gaming industry people around the world