Sky Chan／Michelle Mai／Carrie Chan
Reviewing on the past year, GTI has left its marks in the UK, USA, Dubai, Italy, Russia and other corners in the world, helping Taiwan-developed products and Mainland China-made products export to worldwide.  At the same time, we successfully held 3 GTI expos respectively in Taiwan, Guangzhou, and Kuala Lumpur, allowing more global buyers to get access to products from Mainland China and Taiwan and share a piece of the cake in the rising Asian market.  At the beginning of the year, we took this opportunity to invite important representatives from various industrial associations and media to send best wishes to our readers and supporters.  Also, we were glad to interview several global buyers on how they look back on the industrial development over the past year and express their own opinions on the future trends in the New Year, which may give our readers some inspirations.  
1.
Nergis Aslan 

General Manager of Tureks International Fair, organizer of ATRAX

We wish you on behalf of ATRAX and Atraksiyon Magazin, a Happy New Year with the hope that you will have many blessings in the year to come.

2.
Giorgio Gennari Litta 

President of Monografie S.A., organizer of SAGSE

From the heart of Latin America’s gaming market, SAGSE wishes the entire industry a happy and successful 2018.  In this new year, we will continue working hard to keep on being the gateway into the Latin American gaming market, under the motto that gaming needs to remain a game.

3.
Martin Burlin 

Chairman of EAG Ltd

On behalf of EAG International & VAE, I’d like to wish all readers of Game Time International an enjoyable holiday season and a prosperous New Year.  We all look forward to welcoming you to EAG International & VAE 2018 in January.

4.
Raffale Curcio 

President of SAPAR, organizer of ENADA

In a state of law, each of us should have the freedom to play, as it should be guaranteed to any company to freely carry out their own, honest work.  Yet from November 20 in Piemonte the situation has become dramatic: with the entry into force of the regional law in gaming matters, more than 90% of the devices present in the area have been turned off, the management companies have employees who are stationary because they are unable to work and that they will inevitably have to fire.  We speak of at least 3000 people.  Even the exercises like bars and tobaccos will reduce to 30-40% of their income; but in the meantime the state is asking for the tax payment for the next year.  All this is out of all logic and without any rationality.  In a state of law, it is out of any logic that companies can see the huge investments made because they are imposed by a government that can not find a framework for a real and balanced reform of the sector.  Many players will inevitably turn to other gaming offers (scratch cards, VLTs, bets, etc) or irregular gambling, thus favoring those of an illegal and criminal nature, without any protection for the player.  We have been wondering for some time now how the State can allow such a conduct, since such a drastic reduction of the devices present will inevitably affect the revenue, charging once again on the innocent citizens.  In short, a defeat for everyone.

5.
Sharif Rahman 

CEO of International Expo Consults, organizer of DEAL

The themepark and amusement industry is evolving at an exponential pace.  The world is now introduced to something new in the industry each day.  During such times, a great magazine like Game Time International is keeping the industry stakeholders abreast with the latest happenings within the industry.  Year 2018 will be a phase where things are going to be dynamic and players in the industry will have to put their best foot forward to stay ahead in the race.  We would like to take this opportunity to wish the readers of GTI Magazine a wonderful, happy and fabulous year ahead and we definitely wish to see you all at DEAL 2018 in Dubai.

6.
Natalia Palman 

President and Chief Editor of the Amusement Industry Catalogue Magazine

Dear customers, partners and friends, the Amusement Industry Catalogue Magazine, extend our best wishes for the joyous holidays season and prosperous New Year.  There is no better time than the holidays to say thank you for your work.  Looking forward to continuing our warm cooperation in 2018 ahead!

7.
Rosalind Wade 

Managing Director of Asia Gaming Brief

2017 was an eventful year for the gaming and amusement industry in Asia, and the coming year looks set to be no less interesting with continued investment into the sector.  At AGB we strive to keep everyone updated with the very latest news affecting the industry via our newsletter, magazine and events such as the ASEAN Gaming Summit which will be taking place in Manila this March 20-22, 2018.  We are very grateful for the support of publications such as Game Time International who help to spread the word about these developments.  On behalf of AGB, we wish everyone a prosperous and healthy 2018.

8.
Milena Tsankarska

Marketing&Sales Manager of BEGE Expo

The start of every year takes you a step closer to the attainment of your dreams. Hope this year is the breakthrough one and your dreams finally turn into reality.  Dear friends, on behalf of BEGE Expo, may the New Year arrive with hope and give us courage and belief for a better new start!  Happy New Year!

9.
Dax Eddy

President of Australian Amusement, Leisure and Recreation Association(AALARA)
On behalf of the Members, Board of Directors and General Manager of the Australian Amusement, Leisure and Recreation Association, we’d like to take this opportunity to wish all our colleagues and industry friends a very safe, happy and prosperous 2018!  May the year of the dog bring together many voices around the world to highlight the universal values of safety and solidarity.  We hope to see you at our Conference on Australia's Sunshine Coast in May!  Visit www.aalara.com.au today to take advantage of the Early Bird Special! Have a fantastic 2018!

10.
V.A. Gnezdilov

RAAPA President
Russian Association of Amusement Parks & Attractions (RAAPA) wishes you a Happy New Year!  We celebrate the successful cooperation with GTI, and we are looking forward to further strengthening of our partnership.  2018 is a special year for us - RAAPA EXPO will celebrate its 20th anniversary.  During these years, our Association has held 32 exhibitions, each of them became a certain stage in the development of Russian amusement industry.  Today, the industry is actively updating and modernizing, and RAAPA EXPO will strive to follow all the modern tendencies and show the most topical technologies.  We welcome all specialists to our Anniversary exhibition which will be held on March 1-3, 2018 in Moscow.  Let the New Year bring you a lot of happiness and great results!

11.
José Aníbal Aguirre

CEO of 3A Producciones
American Gaming Trade Show, FADJA, shares with you its 20th anniversary. Happy Chinese New Year full of peace and prosperity from Colombia!

Q: What kind of technology or products impressed you most in the past year? In your opinion, what are the new trends about that in the future?

1.
José Manuel Vázquez Villalba 

GOPLAY OCIO’s Director

In my opinion the future in our business is the mix between carnival games and redemption.  These kinds of products are very attractive for the customers because they can use their skills and get prizes at same time.  The big companies are following this way for their new products, so this will be the future.  I also have to highlight the VR products, but I think they still have to improve the technology.  I liked the “Lucky ball” machine specially.

2.
Gregory A. Bacorn 

CEO & Founder of Barron Games International LLC

Recently I have been very impressed with the integration technology with virtual machines that interact with your body and movements.  Princess dresses on people and then the ability to take a picture of that interaction is a great benefit to customers and guests.  Of course virtual reality is very popular right now and every month there are drastic advancements.  The issue of cleanliness and hygiene are my concerns, though.  Soon there will be goggle less and equipment less VR in the market.

3.
Mr Ufuk Ercan

The owner Of Tekno-Set Elect. Ltd.

This year's most impressive technology is VR technology for me.  This technology is open for the future and improves very fast.  In the near future people don't need to go everywhere.  People can see everywhere on a 3D screen.  I have seen many new VR machines at GTI show last September.  It is amazing.  When you ride these machines you can feel you are in a new space and control everything.  That’s why my favorite technology products are VR Technology.

4.
FarooQ Iqbal 

Managing Director of F&G Enterprise

During the past year I was interested in simulators and arcade machines because these are the machines people like most in our country.  We can say that these have greater demand than other machines.  According to my opinion, VR machines should have a great trend in the future.  Of course VR is the technology of the future so many people like to be in virtual reality and for sure these machines have great scope in the future, people like to play them.

5.
Martin Riley 

International Sales Manager of SEGA UK

SEGA Amusements International with our close partners have had an extremely successful year across our sales territories, from the USA to Central Europe, and out to the Middle East we have seen exciting sales from our faithful customers and outstanding feedback from the millions of loyal SEGA game players around the world.

From our Europe headquarters just outside London, in the UK, our R&D teams and manufacturing base are working towards the next fantastic games to be released for the world market.  From core video successes, such as the recently launched SEGA Daytona Championship USA driving game, to the extremely sought after redemption skill-wall games that have undoubtedly lead the way in redemption games over the recent years, and now with the release of SEGA Hoopla Carnival game.  I see this trend continuing to grow in the coming years throughout Asia and globally, as the world amusement industry is continuing to lead the way in technological game innovation and application, which makes this one of the most enjoyable businesses to work within and to be part of a group, dedicated to the development of fun and amusements for everyone. 

※The article is published in the GTI Magazine Issue No. 161 in January, 2018