As the exhibition season gets under way, the pay-to-play amusement industry is making initial plans for the annual visit to London in January.

Having grown significantly in both size and geographical coverage since its 2010 launch, the 2012 EAG show has adopted a new identity as EAG International - The Complete Amusement Show and will take place from January 24-26. This continued expansion is further underlined by UK parks association BALPPA’s decision to sign a three-year agreement to support the new look EAG International event.

This year’s show was visited by almost 6,000 industry professionals from 58 countries, representing a nine per cent increase on the year previous and exhibition space for the 2012 show is now filling up with all of the large stand holders rebooking. Speaking on behalf of show organiser, BACTA, Karen Cooke said: "2012 is a vital year for our industry and those companies who wish to exhibit should confirm their requirements earlier than in previous years if they wish to be certain that the space they want is still available."

Martin Burlin, EAG International’s chairman, added: "London has hosted a major amusement exhibition in the last week of January for over 70 years and we see this response as the industry’s endorsement of EAG International’s perfect timing for those wishing to view the latest innovations."

The team behind the BACTA run event is now putting the finishing touches to a highly topical seminar programme and in response to requests from exhibitors it has fine tuned its opening hours to allow both exhibitors and visitors to fully benefit from the networking opportunities also presented by the show.

With the Euro Attractions Expo, organised by IAAPA, taking place in London this month, the city is once again regaining its position as the leading meeting place for the amusement and attractions industry. The very close links that ExCel exhibition centre has with London City airport makes the venue extremely accessible to international visitors and the infrastructure improvements now being put in place in preparation for the Olympics in June, will have a positive impact on the EAG International exhibitor and visitor experience. These include 15 major hotel openings, an improved rail system and a proposed cable car link to provide easier access for visitors to this part of the city. The ExCel exhibition centre itself has also been chosen as a venue for 13 Olympic events.