2020 is a year full of difficulties and challenges. The game and amusement industry has received an unprecedented impact, stimulating global enterprises to face adversity in more innovative and dynamic ways and solutions, and to obtain new hopes from the predicament. As a member of the industry, GTI has always been assisting the development of the industry, delivering industry information and business opportunities through its publicity channels like exhibitions, magazines, and websites. On the occasion of the coming of the new year, GTI would like to express its best wishes to our global partners. May the industry see a prosperous 2021 and more glory ahead!

Kenny Yong, CEO of Fireworks Trade Media Co., Ltd. (Vietnam)

Dear readers of GTI magazine,
It’s been turbulent times not only for the industry but for the world. The Theme Park Vietnam Expo team have been busy in 2020 with arranging various B2B sessions for some of our dedicated clients and also preparing a much more immersive content for our 2021 event which would feature a lot more "Themed Exhibiting Zones" and a stellar line-up of international speakers at the conference which would be held concurrently. With the world currently armed with more than 3 vaccines, we are confident our expo, which is already 80% sold, could be safely held next year from 18-19 August in Ho Chi Minh. Get ready to visit an expo that would be packed with visitors and the regional theme park professionals as they are all dying for "face-to-face" meetings. Our company have also drafted out Health and Safety protocols to ensure the safety of all our exhibitors and visitors during the event via our ALLSafe regulations. So hang in there during this time as the volatile 2020 passes over and we embrace the shimmering hope of 2021! Stay safe as always, wear your mask, keep your social distance, and we look forward to seeing you physically at our 2021 event!

June Ko, Executive Director and Vice President of IAAPA Asia Pacific Operations

Through these times of distress, we've experienced the importance of community and humanity. At IAAPA we care about the importance of the collective force for good. IAAPA members are amongst the kindest in the world, and it warms my heart to see the industry come together to take care of each other no matter what crisis we face. IAAPA is a proud partner with GTI, and we'd like to take this chance to wish everyone a safe and healthy year of 2021. May our collective strength guide us above and beyond.

Mr. Alan Burak, Vice President of Monografie S.A., Organizer of SAGSE

We have learned to reinvent ourselves. We have learned to rethink strategies and innovate. Because, despite everything, we all want to maintain a commitment with clients, partners, and collaborators to give them the quality they deserve. Now we know that there is only one direction and it is forward. You have to evolve to overcome the situation. Let us continue committing ourselves with our work each day and we will meet again soon. Thank you and happy new year.

Nergis Aslan, General Manager of Tureks International Fair, Organizer of ATRAX

During some periods in 2020, we were all locked down in our homes, we understood the value of hanging out together and having fun. We need more than ever to get back to those good old days. Life under lockdown is not a sustainable thing. “Nothing will be the same again.” This is what we hear the most during the pandemic…What we all have in common in terms of our foresights is novelty and change. With 2021, the world will rise again from the crisis and enter a new era of reconstruction. We are getting ready to come together for bigger projects in the new year. Together, we’ll be rearranging the game and we’ll be playing big. As Tureks International Fairs Co, we wish the world health, peace and new games!

Mr. Lorenzo Cagnoni, IEG President, Organizer of ENADA Spring

2020 has been difficult for the most of us, our event was postponed due to the pandemic. The forthcoming edition of Rimini Amusement Show will take place in March 2021 and it will be an important meeting point for the amusement industry: an occasion for networking and exploring new business opportunities. We have accepted the challenge and we are positive about our future. We wish all GTI readers a new year of recovery and renovation!

Sharif Rahman, CEO of International Expo Consults LLC (IEC), Organizer of DEAL

The Year 2020 was challenging; however, it was also an eye-opener. The year made us think in terms of our strategies, take a step back to analyze the way we were functioning, and most importantly instilled a very important thought and that is – never take things for granted. We had to go back to the drawing board and re-evaluate and re-analyze our strategies to create a sustained future once again. So instead of focusing on the challenges, it is important to focus on the solutions and we would urge all the valuable readers of GTI Magazine to look at strategies to have a sustained game plan. This is important as we should never be in the same situation if we are ever faced with such a pandemic again in our lifetimes. Life is all about exploration, similarly, games and theme parks are also all about exploration. We foresee that by the second and third quarter of 2021 things should start streamlining and head towards normalcy. We wish all the GTI readers a fabulous 2021 and even more rewarding 2022.

Mr. Igor Rodionov, Vice President of RAAPA

Dear readers of GTI magazine,
Cordial greetings from Russia and the RAAPA team!
GTI magazine and Russian Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions have been in cooperation for many years and we trust to continue it for the benefit of the mutual development of the amusement industry in our countries. The passing 2020 was a challenge for the entire global amusement industry. We all understand and appreciate efforts made by the manufacturers of amusement rides, attractions, operators, and specialists of the amusement industry to keep the business afloat and continue its development. Russia was affected by the pandemic like the rest of the world. We do a lot to support the industry. A real inspiration for industry specialists was the fact that RAAPA EXPO-2020 was held on March 12-14, and RAAPA EXPO AUTUMN-2020 was held on September 30 - October 2, 2020. Both exhibitions were visited by the industry specialists from all over Russia, and from a few foreign countries. RAAPA regularly holds on-line conferences and supports the entertainment business through relevant publications on the website and social networks. RAAPA has repeatedly addressed its initiatives to the state authorities, as a result of these actions the Russian entertainment industry was included in the list of industries affected by the pandemic and received state support. We continue cooperation with our international partners and are delighted to announce that RAAPA EXPO 2021 will be held on March 30 - April 1, 2021 in Moscow. We wish all readers of GTI magazine from the bottom of our hearts good health, and sustainable business development in spite of all the hardships of 2020. We express huge respect to all of you opposing the havoc caused by the spread of covid-19 and managing to keep the industry alive, functioning, and developing!

Marc Haim, President of Gold Coast International

To the readers of GTI Magazine,
The closing of the pandemic year of 2020 has finally come. I think we are all glad to shut the door on the worst year our industry has ever endured. But finally a vaccine has been produced and we look optimistically to improving health, the elimination of restrictions, and the resumption of confidence and prosperity for our customers and our businesses. Act forcefully, act confidently, and invest wisely as we rebuild in 2021 and future years. See you as we resume travel.

Alessio Crisantemi, Director of Gioco News Magazine and GiocoNews.it

2020 was an annus horribilis for the gaming industry, this is clear to everyone. And it is perhaps also useless to stress it. Or, at least, it seems simplistic. Not only because the analysis could also look at the many other sectors of the economy that are affected - some more and some less - by the pandemic and the consequent government restrictions. But also because no one can assure us that the health emergency will end within the current year, without going to affect the future one, at least in the first part. Moreover, even if this doesn't happen at the health level, it will certainly occur at the economic level, with the professionals who will have to deal with all the aftermath caused by the double lockdown, in addition to having to face the huge transition towards that still obscure “new normal” that everyone talks about, but that few can really define, or even just imagine. We try every day, with our newspaper, offering not only a series of exact reports on every aspect concerning the Italian gaming market (political, institutional, as well as economic, technological and social ones), but also a series of reflections on the evolution that has been initiated or, simply, (hyper) accelerated by the pandemic. Trying to help the industry not to be unprepared for the new and huge challenge caused by this unpredictable situation, that has tested every company, every government and nation, but also every person. In front of which we must inevitably make the best of it. Starting immediately to work on the reconstruction of the sector, which will have to go hand in hand with that of the entire national and international economic system.

Maneesh Verma, Director of B.P Sons Fun and Entertainment Private Limited

This year I was not able to attend the GTI Asia China Expo 2020 due to Covid -19 but it was a grand affair and was even bigger and better than before. I also saw the pictures and found out that many new products debuted at the annual exhibition. I'm definitely excited and looking forward to attending it next year. With hopes and best wishes to everyone, I wish GTI readers a Very Happy New Year.

Asoka Herath, Managing Director of Saluto Lanka Media

It is time to say goodbye to the year 2020 in which we have passed through great difficulties. May the year 2020, which was a catastrophe, never come to us again. Happy New Year 2021 to all the people of the world who fulfill all our wishes! May we have the opportunity to reunite and do our business in 2021! Bring New Year wishes that are from.

David Chow, Director of HQ Bizlink International Pte Ltd.

Dear Friends, 2020 has been a difficult year for many businesses, employers and employees including the common people all over the world, due to this Covid-19 pandemic outbreak. Our prayers go to those who lost their job and loved ones with no fault of theirs to stay strong, not to give up hope and their dreams. Your resilience and fighting spirit will see through this difficult period. The coming year of the Metal Ox is when harvests are reaped as a result of old-fashioned hard work. Hence at HQ Bizlink International Pte Ltd., we will work extremely hard like an Ox in our forthcoming events for our exhibitors to reap the harvests. Let's stay united, build on each other’s strengths to steer ahead together. On behalf of our staff and management, let me take this opportunity to wish you and your family A Healthy and Happy New Year 2021. We will see you soon. Stay Safe!

Raghunath Saligrama, Business Head of Semnox Solutions Pvt. Ltd.

Dear readers of GTI Magazine,
Remember the saying “when the going gets tough, the tough get going” What a year we all went through. A lot of impossible tasks were made possible. The whole world has been reset. The amusement industry is one of the majorly hit industries. In many countries the outdoor / indoor entertainment centers are still not opened to the public. Every challenge is an opportunity for a new venture. Let us see the bright sunshine in the year of 2021. We, Semnox and SCQ Technology, China wish all of you a very happy and prosperous new year 2021. Be healthy and be safe.

Fernando Saffores, Founder & Director of Focus Gaming News

2020 has been the most challenging and at times craziest year of our lives and we have all had to face and overcome unexpected situations. But there is now a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel and the future of the gambling industry is looking much brighter for 2021. Of course, we must still work together and look after one another if we are to ensure this great industry not only survives but thrives over the next 12 months. At Focus Gaming News we will continue to play our part, bringing you the latest news, interviews, and analysis. And supporting the industry in the soon recovery!

Karen Cooke, Organiser of EAG International Expo

The EAG International team would like to extend our wishes to GTI readers for a Happy Prosperous and, above all, Safe New Year. The Entertainment, Attractions and Gaming industries are fundamentally about getting people together for a great time and, consequently, have suffered badly over the past year. Entertainment and enjoyment are fundamental human needs, and this will not change. We wish you all the strength and perseverance required to overcome the current challenges. Our industry is inventive and resilient, and we know these qualities will carry us all forward to a happier and more secure future.

※The article is published in the GTI Magazine Issue No. 194 in Jan. & Feb. 2021