The first battle in the game show wars of 2007 (see 'Vegas Game Shows Gearing Up') wraps up today as Mark Simmons' Games Show Expo 2007 ends at the South Point Hotel in Las Vegas.  The exhibit floor was a step up from GAMA's, with many exhibitors that had not previously exhibited at a GAMA show (see 'Games Expo Announces Exhibitors'), including numerous board and family game companies.  But the retailer turnout was light, with exhibitors frequently talking to each other to pass the time.  

We do not have attendance figures, but the retailer count at the WizKids dinner on Tuesday night, at which a limited edition large-scale Marvel HeroClix figure was distributed, provides some indication.  About 150 retailers attended that event, based on our rough count.  While that was certainly not all of the retailers at the show, it was probably the largest assemblage of retailers at a single event there, and provides some indication of the scale of the attendance. 

The size of retail operation represented by the buyers was relatively large, including some of the largest independent retailers and at least one major chain buyer in the house.  The retailers we spoke to were happy with the show, with numerous opportunities to talk to exhibitors without interruption, and a plethora of potential new product lines to inspect, playtest, and order. 

Press was also there in greater numbers than typically attend GAMA, including the local Fox affiliate, which produced some local TV exposure for several companies, including Tablestar Games. 

In the run-up to the show, we talked to a number of exhibitors and retailers about the competition between GAMA Trade Show and Games Expo, and a couple of facts became clear.  There was considerable exhibitor dissatisfaction with the GAMA Trade Show, and an entire class of potential exhibitors that had not been recruited to exhibit there.  One exhibitor described it this way.  'To me, the GAMA Trade Show is a great show, but you see the same faces every year,' he said.  'I don't see a big outreach in trying to grow the industry into other sections of the market out there.' 

And some retailers were also looking for something new.  'GAMA is a really good organization for the beginning retailer,' one store owner told us.  'But it doesn't offer much to the mature retail store.'

Did the Simmons show deliver?  To us, it seemed that it did deliver what was promised to the attending retailers, but the exhibitors were disappointed.  Whether that combination will be enough to keep the show going is in question.  Gallows humor on the future of Game Expo was in vogue, as one wag told us, 'It's like Sixth Sense, 'I see dead conventions!''

We think it's too early to call. GAMA Trade Show next month also has expectations to meet, as it attempts to battle declining attendance and meet the challenge of a new competitor. 

It's unlikely that major exhibitors will continue to support two shows.  As one exhibitor told us, 'If there's not a clear winner, I do think you'll see a large group of manufacturers band together to declare one a winner.  It may turn out like a U.S. election, but there will be a President in the end.'