Friedhelm Merz Verlag, the company responsible for the annual International Spieltage (SPIEL) in Essen, Germany, will have several meetings in early 2019 with the Messe Essen convention center to decide if security changes are needed after several exhibitors were again robbed during the 2018 show.
“There will be several meetings in early 2019 in cooperation with Messe Essen where we will decide what and if we will change anything at all, but we will certainly remind the exhibitors to take better care of their cash registers.” said Verena Elsen, a company spokesperson.
Attendance at the event grew 4.4% in 2018, reporting 190,000 turnstile attendees. The turnstile method counts any entry into the event as an attendee. The company said it would not release unique daily attendance for the event as turnstile reporting is common in Europe.
A record 1,150 exhibitors attended this year, up from 1,100 in 2017. The amount of exhibition space also increased to 80,000 sqm (86,111 sqft.)
SPIEL ’19 will take place from 24-27 October 24-27, 2019 at the Messe Essen. The company said it was too soon to announce any changes for the upcoming show.