GTS Moving

The GAMA Trade Show will no longer be held at the Riviera. Next year, it’ll be at Bally’s instead, and a month later in the year to boot. Perhaps not too coincidentally, this moves it away from the inaugural Games Expo, which will be held in Las Vegas also, near GTS’s traditional dates, but at the SouthCoast.

See the full press release after the break.

2007 GAMA Trade Show Moves to New Hotel and New Month
The Game Industry’s Trade Show upgrades to Bally’s, shifts to dates in April

Las Vegas, NV – When the Game Manufacturers Association (GAMA) returns to Las Vegas for 2007, it arrives to both a new location and a new time. The 2007 GAMA Trade Show moves to Bally’s Las Vegas, in the heart of the Strip, from April 23-26, 2007.

“We’re creating a new GTS experience that delivers the environment and amenities that our attendees and exhibitors deserve,” GAMA Executive Director Anthony Gallela said. “Instead of merely looking for a new host hotel, we examined all facets of GTS from the perspectives of our exhibitors and attendees. That led us to change both the venue and the show dates.”

The new dates make show scheduling easier for GTS exhibitors. By moving GTS into late April, the show finally ends its annual date conflict with the Western States Toy and Hobby show in Pomona, California. It also simplifies planning for exhibitors and retailers attending both GTS 2007 and the 2007 ASTRA Marketplace show in Las Vegas. GTS 2007 takes place the week following the ASTRA show, letting attendees and exhibitors cover both shows with a single trip.

“Moving the show into April gives us a great start toward making GTS 2007 truly amazing,” Gallela said. “Selecting Bally’s as next year’s show location builds the momentum even more.”

Bally’s gives attendees and exhibitors inviting spaces to meet, interact, play games, and do business. “Both exhibitors and attendees alike said they wanted more informal gathering areas, better flow through the exhibit hall, and nice sleeping rooms. We’re convinced that Bally’s delivers all of that,” said Gallela. “As an added plus, a shopping area connects Bally’s to Paris, home of the top-rated buffet in Las Vegas.”

For quick meetings and after-hours socializing, the hotel features plenty of spots similar to the Alligator Bar at the Orleans, a long-time favorite of GTS attendees and exhibitors. Bally’s two ballrooms give the GTS show floor a well-designed space with easy access to hotel amenities. “Both ballrooms open onto a single large welcoming hall, which makes a perfect place for exhibitor demonstrations,” Gallela said. “Product knowledge helps retailers sell games, so we’re creating an environment where exhibitors can show retailers how their products play.”

Watch www.GAMA.org/gts for details about GTS 2007