First reports back from the IAAPI trade show held in Mumbai, India, last weekend suggest that the market is still thriving, but that the show itself was poorly run in a less-than-adequate location.
The trade association was the subject of a great deal of criticism from exhibitors last year for its bad organisation and the Bombay Exhibition Centre in Mumbai came in for some sharp comments for its delapidation.
The show this year was held March 18-20 (Thursday to Saturday), which was also criticised by exhibitors who did not relish a trade show at a weekend.
Alberto Borrero of card systems supplier Intercard commented: "India remains a growing market. It is still some years before it reaches its full potential. The show venue was again deplorable! IAAPI needs to find a better location and learn how to properly market the show. The shortcomings of the venue are too numerous ever to hold a world-class event there."
He added: "Business in India is picking up - there is no question about it. The construction of shopping malls stopped during 2009 but has now restarted. We will have about 50 sites in India by the end of the year."
London-based games supplier UDC took a stand at the show and its Mark Horwood commented on the exhibition. "India is India - the whole place has its challenges. I would say that the organisation was better, an improvement on last year." His company won the award for the best international booth.
The show had 29 exhibitors from outside of India.
