Mark Simmons of Matthew Simmons Marketing announced his Game Expo 2007 for March, 2007 in Las Vegas, which will put it head to head with the likely dates and location of the long-running GAMA Trade Show (see 'New Game Trade Show Goes Head to Head with GAMA in '07').  We asked GAMA Executive Director Anthony Gallela for the reaction of the organization.  This is the full text of his response:

As I read everyone's thoughts and responses about Games Expo 2007, I see one question over and over: How will GAMA respond?

That's easy: GAMA will keep doing what we started doing several years ago.  We'll keep listening, leading, improving, and innovating so that our industry grows and our businesses succeed.  After all, isn't that the goal?

We already have a big, wonderful trade show. You saw it this year, you'll see it again next year, and you'll see it again the year after that.  GTS grew under Mark Simmons, it grew under Chris Watson, and it continues growing under me.  Regardless of the voice at the top, the success just keeps coming.  That's because the innovations powering GTS didn't start at the executive level -- they came from GAMA's staff, from the GRD board, from the membership, and from the industry.  They came from you.

Along the way, we learned to listen.  You told us a lot about our convention hotel this year, so we made changes.  We haven't announced our 2007 dates yet because you told us that you weren't happy about the Riviera and that you wanted us to keep our options open.  So, that's what we're doing right now.

We aren't basking in the glow of past successes, either.  We improved GTS in 2005, and we'll keep improving it in the years to come.  Many of the things in the Games Expo announcement were on the GTS 2006 drawing board months ago.  Why were they there?  Because you told us you wanted them.  Some, like expanding the breadth of exhibitors and attendees at the show, are ideas that we championed more than a year ago and that you'll see in action at GTS 2006.

Most importantly, we aren't grabbing a gauntlet and throwing it anywhere.  Everybody in the industry knows that GTS takes place close to the same dates each year.  We plan to continue using those traditional dates in 2007 and the times to come.

Every year, we look for ways to add more value and success to our industry.  We have plans in the works that look very promising for 2006 and beyond.  Our new staff members bring fresh perspectives and insights to the problems around our industry.  With their help and your input, GAMA will continue creating awesome shows for both the industry and the game players.

If you have questions, ask us and we'll answer them.  For the best and most timely information, please contact us directly.  Share your passion for the industry with us, and we'll do our part to help you succeed.