Exhibitors at this year's Surexpo said that although the Polish coin-op industry has great potential, business here will remain slow until the current dispute with the government is concluded.
The amusement industry, which is currently in dispute with the Polish government after it was reported that an increase in tax could come into play, has felt increased animosity after the recent scandal with Poland’s Sports Minister. At Surexpo this week, there is a great feeling of solidarity among the industry, but also a feeling of angst as to how the situation will conclude.
Speaking to InterGame yesterday at the show in Warsaw, exhibitors, both international and from Poland, said that business was quiet because people are wary of the market and not because they are feeling the pinch from the recession. Jakar’s Marcin Nowak told InterGame: "We have not felt the recession much here in Poland, unlike in other markets such as the US where business has gone from the top to the bottom."
Nowak also went on to say that Surexpo - which is now in its eighth year - is growing each year. The 2009 show is expected to attract 8,000 visitors across the three days but at the end of the first day, exhibitors agreed that it was significantly quieter than previous years when there was a reported boom in business.
Although Idea Vending’s stand looked to be busy with visitors, Bram Aartsen from the company told InterGame that he had received a number of inquiries and a few potential leads but overall his first day at Surexpo had been very quiet. He continued: "Poland is a growing market. It’s like a time bomb waiting for the euro and I want to be here when it explodes because business will be big."
WH Munzprufer sales manager Karin Drefer told InterGame: "The first day has been very, very quiet and I hope it gets better." She also went on to say that the situation with Polish legislation is affecting business but she believes Poland has great potential. "Everybody wants a piece of the cake, which is why we are here even when it is quiet. You have to show your face so people know you are here when things get better."
