Successful expos such as EAG provide an arena in which product launches, innovation, technology and networking stand side by side with opportunities to learn about the latest developments and trends impacting the industry. Such is the case with the Bacta Seminar Program at EAG which will cover topics including the challenges facing the pub sector, the role of AGCs on the high street, the Bacta Portal, ADIPS and how to create a compelling customer experience.

As well as providing operators with an invaluable shopwindow featuring over 1,000 product launches including a number making their world debuts, January’s EAG Expo will also deliver a platform for learning and knowledge exchange courtesy of the Bacta Seminars which continue to grow in popularity and influence.

The program starts at 11am on Tuesday 14 January with the Bacta Briefing on ADIPS. Bacta members are invited to join Carl Hagemann, General Manager of ADIPS, who will be in conversation with Bacta President John Bollom to discuss the work ADIPS undertakes to support Bacta members in ensuring safety compliance with children’s rides.

The Pub Summit, which attracted  over 100 delegates in 2024 will take place at 1pm on the opening day.

Chaired by Peter Davies the Roundtable style discussion will focus on the challenges faced by British pubs and how the increase in business costs arising from October’s budget will present a raft of new challenges. The Summit is one of the very few, if not the only, industry forum that brings together suppliers and representatives from PubCos in one room. Such a unique gathering creates an unparalleled opportunity to have meaningful, face-to-face conversations with key decision-makers and industry leaders, all focused on addressing the challenges and opportunities facing the sector.

At 3pm the focus switches to the Bacta Portal when Rob Wheeler, Managing Director of RBW Systems and Bacta’s Executive Director (Commercial), Robert Gibb will be providing an update on the development of the Portal and taking questions from the floor.

A cornerstone of Bacta’s commitment to social responsibility, the discussion will focus on the development program for the portal over the forthcoming year.

Bacta’s High Street Summit which is scheduled for 11am Wednesday 15th January will explore the decline of town centres and with it the diminishing retail offer. At a time when the AGC business is one of the few sectors to be investing in the high street the session will explore what the future holds hearing how those operating in the space are responding to the current challenges.

As part of the EAG experience and timed to mark the launch of the co-located London Casino and Gaming Show, EUROMAT, Bacta’s sister trade association, is holding a seminar entitled Creating a Compelling Customer Experience.

Taking place at 1pm Wednesday 15th January, it will draw on the experience of operators across Europe who will outline the most constructive ways to enhance the customer experience.

Looking ahead to the Bacta Seminar Program, Executive Director George McGregor said: “Because EAG is a key part of the Bacta family, it means that the show will always be in tune with the needs of the sectors that it serves. The Seminar Program reflects that characteristic and is a great platform to stimulate debate, improve awareness and raise industry standards.”

All details are correct at the time of going to press.