“2018 was definitely the best ICE for Merkur Gaming”

(Exclusive interview).- Focus Gaming News spoke exclusively to Merkur Gaming’s Director of Industry Relations, David Orrick, and asked him for the company’s evaluation of ICE 2018.

The German supplier dazzled during the ICE Totally Gaming exhibition (February 6 to 8). ParadICE in ExCel, London, exceeded every expectation for all participants – more than 500 exhibitors and more than 32,000 visitors – and Merkur Gaming’s David Orrick shared his thoughts on the show.

What were the biggest accomplishments for Merkur Gaming during the event?

“There were many factors that combined to make ICE 2018 a truly great show for Merkur Gaming. Firstly, we had learned a lot of things from 2017. We learned that, for a greater guest experience, we needed to subtly open up the floor space on our booth. That worked exceptionally well and it was far easier for visitors to move around in comfort and to see everything (and all of the different Gauselmann Group companies) that was on display. Second, we brought in our own catering team from Germany and they did a fantastic job for all of the show days and ensured that our hospitality for guests was absolutely first class. The key factors, however, were the great range of products that we presented and the professionalism of our multinational team of gaming professionals. Everyone worked hard and, as a result, our enquiry levels were more than we had predicted ourselves. All in all, a great result at a great show.”

How does the company evaluate its performance at ICE 2018?

“As you can see from my answer to the previous question, the performance, on every level, of Merkur Gaming was nothing short of exceptional. The key factors, however, were the great range of products that we presented and the professionalism of our multinational team of gaming professionals. Everyone worked hard and, as a result, our enquiry levels were more than we had predicted ourselves. All in all, a great result at a great show. The key factors, however, were the great range of products that we presented and the professionalism of our multinational team of gaming professionals. Everyone worked hard and, as a result, our enquiry levels were more than we had predicted ourselves. All in all, a great result at a great show.”

What is the most important feature of the event for Merkur Gaming?

“Our customers first, last and always! We exhibit at ICE, as the world’s largest B2B gaming show, to meet with our customers, business partners and guests and, as has long been our experience, to thus set the tone for our commercial success for the rest of the year. I have been asked several times if I considered 2018 to have been ‘the best ICE ever’ for Merkur Gaming. To repeat my answer, I prefer to say that, for Merkur Gaming and for all the companies of the Gauselmann Group, 2018 was definitely the ‘best ICE… so far’”

What are the next plans for Merkur Gaming in 2018?

“Looking ahead further into 2018, Merkur Gaming will be present at all of the major gaming exhibitions of the year. As far as the Americas is concerned, we will be exhibiting at NIGA in Las Vegas during April, Juegos Miami at the end of May, Peru Gaming Show in Lima during June, then SAGSE in Buenos Aires during early September and then, of course, G2E in Las Vegas in October. By then, of course, we will already be eagerly anticipating ICE 2019 in London!”