Previewing the Summit, which has become a ‘must attend’ feature of the EAG experience Peter Davies said: “Delegates will receive a presentation from Simon Barff MD CLMS on overarching trends in machine revenue for the pub sector which I am sure will prompt pertinent questions and drive discussion. 

“In addition we will have product experts on the panel to provide their experience of building non-gaming revenue streams in particular the longevity of pool and pay-to-play music both as valuable revenue streams and as venue footfall drivers.” 

With continued pub closures Davies believes the machine sector has an important contribution to make. He said: “As UKhospitality CEO Kate Nichols confirmed at the bacta Convention machine revenue is a vital income stream for a sector which has had a horrendous few years in terms of business disruption and rising costs. 

“The Summit is a timely opportunity for operators, suppliers and PubCos to discuss the key issues impacting the sector surrounded by the very latest product innovations across gaming, pay-to-play music and pool. It’s a fantastic event which will enable attendees to get right up to speed on the issues of the day and to plan for a year in which we all hope the recommendations contained within the White Paper will be enacted.”

Alongside Simon Barff the Pub Summit will feature industry thought leaders including Quentin Stott, Managing Director Reflex Gaming, Nick Rudd, MD of The Rudd Group, Chris Black, Managing Director of Sound Leisure and Pauline Bass, Director of Customer and Guest Experience, Stonegate Group. The 90-minute panel discussion will cover a wide range of issues including advances in technology, AWP age verification, new payment methods and the contributions made by pool and music to the pub entertainment experience.

The 4,000+ operators from sectors including FECs, AGCs, seaside piers, leisure attractions, bingo halls, bars, clubs, and bowling centres expected to attend the 2024 edition of EAG, Expo will be able to access the very latest product launches and innovations from hundreds of leading leading brands, keep up with developments impacting social responsibility, celebrate bacta’s 50th year, mark industry excellence at the bacta Annual Awards, as well as participate in bacta’s business-centric thinkbite learning programme. Delivering the perfect combination of product, networking and learning, EAG 2024 represents the industry’s ‘go to’ event. For thousands of businesses the year starts at EAG.

 

IMAGE: Peter Davies, Chair bacta Gaming Council

 

Bacta’s ‘thinkbite’ branded seminar programme taking place at EAG comprises:

 

16th January

11.00 – 12.00

The new rules of gambling – getting your compliance right

This thinkbite session will look at the changes proposed in the Gambling Review White Paper and the way in which they are likely to be implemented. It will also ask what good compliance looks like as well as provide an extended Q & A session on what that will mean for operators.

 

1.00 – 2.30

Pub Summit

The well-established Pub Summit brings together pub and club owners with machine suppliers to discuss the issues facing the sector. 

The 2024 edition will comprise a market update and analysis, an examination of technology in pubs, the likely implications of a legal relaxation on the use of debit cards on gaming machines, how pool can serve as a profit centre and the role of the pub jukebox in attracting customers, building consumer loyalty and delivering an experience.

 

17th January

11.00 – 12.00

Embedding Safer Gambling

Reflecting the central importance of Safer Gambling EAG will be exploring how AGC and FEC operators can embed good SG practice into their business, why this is important and how ultimately it benefits businesses in the short, medium and long-term(s). The discussion will draw on the experience and insight of participants on the Bacta Safer Gambling Hub and bacta’s MSOs.

 

1.00 – 2.30

The High Street Summit

A key initiative for 2024, the EAG High Street Summit will debate the issues facing this part of the economy and how they interplay with the AGC and FEC offer.  The hosted discussion will feature invited speakers including James Lowman, CEO, Association of Convenience Stores who will explain how the trade body has leveraged political support for the High Street and Michael Kill of the Night Time Industries Association who will outline the growing importance of the night time economy. There will also be updates and analysis of the contribution and challenges that face high street AGC operators including those presented by anti-gambling groups. 

 

Find out more - Explore Our Comprehensive Agenda for In-Depth Knowledge (eagexpo.com)