This week we have an interesting line-up of professionals that we managed to interview. Let’s kick start this series with Milena Tsankarska, Marketing Manager Balkan Entertainment and Gaming Exhibition (BEGE Expo), who shall share her experience in the Eastern European Gaming market.

EEG: First of all we would like to know more about you. How did you end up in the industry, and what are you plans for the future?

Milena: My experience in the industry started in 2008 when a new team was established to take over the organization of Balkan Entertainment and Gaming Exhibition (BEGE Expo) and Eastern European Gaming Summit (EEGS). I was invited to join the team as a marketing specialist.  We were a small group of experts with different professional profiles and backgrounds. What united us was our desire to impose both events as key benchmarks for the gaming industry across the region that set the agenda of manufacturers, suppliers, regulators, legislators and experts and allow them to see how the land lies in terms of technology innovations, regulations, market trends, etc. The very positive feedback from previous editions of the exhibition and conference gives us every reason to believe that we are on the right track.

EEG: What is the Balkan Entertainment and Gaming Expo all about for you personally? Share your experience and maybe something funny that happened along the years.

Milena: For me the BEGE Expo is a leading project and a great opportunity to gain valuable experience. The organization of each edition is an amalgam of various situations, different people, a lot of energy and emotions. Of course, there are some stressful moments as the preparation of such a big event does not always go according to the plan, but positive experiences prevail.

During the years our small team had very amusing moments related both to the organization of the exhibition and meetings with exhibitors. Especially memorable are our trips to international exhibitions that are always full with funny and warm moments.

EEG: What about, the Balkan Entertainment and Gaming Expo (BEGE Expo)? Could you fill us in on the details of why this Expo is special? When did it get started?

Milena: The expo started in 2008 when it was held along with the first Eastern European Gaming Summit in Sofia. The BEGE Expo is special because it is the first major gaming trade show in the Balkans to provide a platform to all companies in the gambling and entertainment field from the region and beyond to present their products, share ideas and learn about the latest innovations in the sector.

EEG: Tell us a bit about the BEGE Awards? Who is it for and how can it be entered? We read somewhere that the award, the Madara Equestrian is a copy of one of the most ancient Bulgarian monuments.

Milena: The traditional BEGE Awards have been granted since 2008. The annual prizes honor individuals and companies for their significant contribution and excellent achievements in the gaming, entertainment and leisure industry.

The idea of ​​the prestigious awards is to encourage manufacturers and business professionals to offer new and innovative solutions, improving the level and standards in the industry and contributing to its development. Any company from the gaming, entertainment and leisure industry is entitled to nominate itself or to be nominated by a third party. The organizers’ aim is to present to the global audience the advantages and unique features of the Balkan region, along with its huge potential for development of gaming and entertainment businesses.

The award itself features a copy of one of the most ancient Bulgarian monuments, Madara Rider, which was chosen as a global symbol of our country. It is one of the nine Bulgarian wonders announced as a World Heritage and protected by UNESCO. Madara Rider is going to be placed on the first Bulgarian Euro coins.

EEG: What about Miss Gaming BEGE? It’s a unique event, what was the idea for this? How did it get started and are there any surprise celebrities in the jury this year?

Milena: The Miss Gaming BEGE beauty contest is a BEGE Expo initiative which started in 2012. The contest is organized in partnership with a leading Bulgarian modeling agency. Each participating company is entitled to nominate a candidate to compete in the beauty contest or to send its own representative to present and promote its brand.

When we decided to initiate the contest, our idea was to give an opportunity to all gambling companies and gambling  activities organizers to receive additional promotion during the days of BEGE Expo and, of course, to contribute to a positive atmosphere among all visitors.  I’m happy to say that from its very first editions the competition attracts great interest from both exhibitors and guests.

EEG: We also noticed a huge interest shown by the top level operators in Eastern Europe, has that been a success for them? Is there a high number of feedback?

Milena: Yes, every year the interest is increasing. A lot of professionals already attended the previous editions of BEGE and EEGS and we expect their number to continue growing. In 2014 both events ended with a very positive feedback from exhibitors and visitors and once again confirmed their positions as very important initiatives supporting the development of industry and providing valuable information on the latest innovations in Eastern Europe. Our expectations for this year’s editions of the two events are to surpass the results of the previous ones both as attendance and performance.

EEG: What do you think about EEG? Could you give us your thoughts on our mission, the one to build a bridge between Western and Eastern European Gaming world?

Milena: I think you are doing a great job. You are helping the industry players to be up to date with all important events and major professionals in the industry, providing news and information and taking part in successful promotion of the entire business sector which in my opinion is very important. 

EEG: Ok, here comes the fun part. What is your favorite food and if you would have to pick a country in Eastern Europe to travel to, where would you go?

Milena: Well, I try to eat healthy food but sometimes, of course, I can’t resist on some junk food. I’m fond of sushi, salads and Mediterranean food. 

EEG: Which country you would want to visit in Eastern Europe?

Milena: I adore traveling and enjoy every place I visit.  I would love to visit Lithuania and Moldova.

EEG: And as a closing question, which is not really a question, more like an opportunity to spread the word, fire away … advertise your event.

Milena: BEGE Expo is a nexus and must-attend event for all professionals in the industry who want to keep pace with the leaders of the gaming and entertainment business in the Balkans and Eastern Europe. Join the trend-setters at BEGE Expo 2015!