We interviewed the director of FADJA and he told us the intimacy of his decision
MV: What is your memory of the first fair, and the evolution they have had after this one?
JAA: 21 years ago, we were born as Andean Fair of Games of Chance, FADJA, and the first fair was held in Cartagena in 1999 with five exhibitors, almost on par with the creation of Law 643 of 2001 that began the formalization of Gambling in Colombia.
After this we evolved shyly 5 years ago, breaking down the signal as the American Fair of Games of Chance, under the same brand. For two decades, we have accompanied and lived, shoulder to shoulder, all the ups and downs of this sector in Colombia, trying to unite the different segments that integrate it to make it more visible and boost its growth.
MV: What is the new direction you think of giving to the fair?
JAA: Counting on the trust and loyalty of our clients, once the successful edition of FADJA 2019 is finished last April and thinking about the beginning of the third decade of the 21st century, beginning to feel the need to give a decisive turn to a fair that has reached maturity but needs to expand and reach new markets.
Then we plan to return to Cartagena de Indias, today a world-class tourist destination and reference in the meeting industry. The vision of La Heroica, a city with a geo-strategic location for international trade, is already more than 500 years old and its history speaks of its importance
MV: What is the motivation for this change of location?
JAA MICE tourism, for its initials in English: Meetings, Incentives, Congresses and Exhibitions, had as its headquarters the Convention Center of Cartagena de Indias that has received us with a diligent and willing team to give our best for all the events that we will carry out.
On the other hand, manufacturers, suppliers and online betting platforms, see in Cartagena the opportunity to access new market niches. In that order of ideas, we expect the increase of foreign visitors, investors and entrepreneurs from the Caribbean, Central America and other latitudes. It's about watching the fair grow, from the regional to the global, from the game to technology.
MV: Where does the new name GAT EXPO come from, and what news will come with this change at the fair?
JAA: Well, after several sessions of brainstorming or brainstorming with my friend Ángel Becassino, star advertising consultant and my communications team, we arrived at GAT EXPO Gaming & Technology, also attending suggestions from the unions and some exhibitors for the connection to the fair.
In fact, we will have software ventures, payment gateways and digital marketing, among others.
Finally, in addition to the traditional exhibition of machines and services that run on April 23 and 24, we will have exclusive professionalization courses at Totally Gaming Academy, the world's most qualified academy in these areas, on the 21st and 22nd.
And finally, we will have complementary events integrating the industry as the guild assemblies will be held on Wednesday 22, Thursday 23 and Friday 24 April
