Nick Harding, the new vice chairman of EAG Expo and ambassador for EAG's new London Casino and Gaming Show, talks through the expansion of his role on the EAG board.
The London Casino and Gaming Show at EAG Expo, Bacta’s exhibition company, will co-habit the ExCeL venue in London’s Docklands (January 14-16) alongside EAG itself and the new Social Immersive Entertainment Expo.
The triple event now gives Harding a much wider brief under the general supervision of Bacta chairman Martin Burlin and working with EAG show director Nicola Lazenby.
You are now vice chair of Bacta’s exhibitions company. In what way are your responsibilities now different from those of LCG show ambassador?
NH: I am joining the board of EAG Expo as vice chair to the inimitable Martin Burlin, and I am very pleased to extend my brief from ambassador for the London Casino and Gaming Show to becoming involved as a board member, with a direct input into the three shows which now make up the EAG portfolio.
It is an exciting time for this exhibition company that is wholly owned by Bacta.
Martin has carried the can for the Bacta trade show division for many years. Does having a vice chair not only relieve some of the pressure and work but also bring in a fresh pair of eyes?
Martin Burlin is Mr EAG and has been instrumental in taking EAG Expo from its inception to where it is now. It was Martin’s decision to launch the two new shows, and I am very much looking forward to working closely with him to understand the nuances of the exhibition sector - and of course to provide back-up and a sounding board to Nikki Lazenby.
I am a great believer in the need for boards to be able to see the helicopter view of the business they direct, and I hope I can help with that.
Assuming a wider remit to encompass the London Casino and Gaming Show and the Social Immersive Entertainment (SIE) Expo, please comment on how EAG is positioned in the international market and describe the role of SIE Expo.
I think that EAG is now unashamedly a land-based triumvirate of shows. It is extremely well-positioned in what is the most exciting capital city in the world, serviced directly from the international airports via the brand new Elizabeth Line.
I saw a LinkedIn quote the other day from a European casino operator which simply said, "In London we trust," and I think that encapsulates how we feel about our shows. They may not be the biggest, as I have said previously, and we are happy to let other sector exhibitions be the ‘aircraft carriers’ while we are the nimble frigates providing a more ambient, focused way in which to look at new and relevant products for all parts of the land-based entertainment industry.
Read more: SIE Expo unveils first names and seminar programme
Would it be correct to suggest that EAG has probably plateaued in terms of size, while SIE Expo and the London Casino and Gaming Expo are viewed as opportunities to expand?
No, to the contrary, I think that there is plenty of room for the core EAG show to continue to grow as a platform for the UK and European amusement sector.
Already this year, we have seen a number of new exhibitors making plans to join us in January and I think that will continue to be the case for the foreseeable future. We have been transparent in our view that, with ICE moving to Barcelona, there is an opening for a London casino and gaming show - and that has been firmly endorsed by casino operators who see London as a great venue and the opportunity to visit something more 'boutique and ambient' as attractive.
SIE Expo is different. That has come about following Martin’s investigation of the burgeoning social and interactive sector, and seeing the need for an exhibition to specifically show products for that market.
Of course, it is also very true that both the new shows offer crossover opportunities for some exhibitors from the original EAG show, and we are making sure that crossover is also accommodated.
The arrival of SIE Expo is the recognition of a gap in the market, but could the London Casino and Gaming Show be described as opportunist? ICE left the door open for you, effectively?
Bacta has been opportunistic for 50 years, which is why it has been such a successful trade association. We thrive on that, so of course when we saw ICE flowing towards Barcelona it was a case of ‘carpe diem.'
Would you say the plans to run a UK dealer tournament during the London Casino and Gaming Show illustrate how the set-up at ExCeL affords opportunities for events, especially with the level of hospitality outlets surrounding the venue?
We are all in the entertainment business and, as such, we were delighted to be able to work with Murat Salih at the Hippodrome Casino in order to accommodate the UK dealer tournament at the London Casino and Gaming Show.
It will be an exciting addition to the show, I am sure it will add to the buzz on that day (January 15). The ExCeL is a great and flexible venue, and we are also exploring other opportunities for entertainment and networking for both exhibitors and visitors during the course of the show.
What other social and educational add-ons are you actively considering?
Bacta’s communications director, George McGregor, is just putting the finishing touches to a programme of seminars, both in the show itself and also in ExCeL meeting rooms. As this is our first year for SIE Expo and the London Casino and Gaming Show, we are just putting our toes in the water, but I think that we will give serious thought to hosting a full conference in 2026.
Are these exhibitions aimed at both large and small exhibitors?
Absolutely, we are aiming at a balanced representation of not only the industry behemoths but also the small and mid-sized exhibitors, without whose products the industry could not function.
If that describes you and you are interested in getting in at the ground floor and establishing your presence at any of the three joint exhibitions, then do please call us and speak to our sales team.
