ICE. However we will be constantly reviewing the situation in partnership with the industry.
Was the move to ExCel at the experience of other alternative locations in mainland Europe a unanimous decision by all the major exhibitors?
Everything we do is in partnership with our customers. Every time we conducted research with our visitors London was the overwhelming choice as host city and when we consulted with exhibitors they confirmed that view. We’ve had nothing but a positive reaction from exhibitors all of whom want a location which their customers are happy with.
What is Clarion’s opinion on ExCel as the new venue as far as ease of access to hotels bars’ and café’s and the West End of London? This part of London is changing and changing rapidly. From a transport perspective the £238 Million investment in the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) has helped reduce dramatically travel times from ExCel to central London. Capacity on the DLR has increased by 50 per cent, the venue itself has three dedicated DLR stations. ExCel is just ten minutes from the buzz of Canary Wharf with its many restaurants and is based in the heart of London’s Royal Docks. The hospitality legacy generated by the Olympics will add to the array of pubs, bars and restaurants.
How will the new show floor at ExCel compare with that of Earls Court will there again be one significant exhibitor stand or will the all the major manufacturer’s have more equal size stands?
With a new venue comes a new layout which will allow exhibitors to really apply their imagination and creativity in a way that wasn’t really possible at Earls Court. There’s a lot more freedom at ExCel which will generate a raft of new opportunities.
At show closing time will the venue shut down quickly or for those exhibitors and visitors who are still enjoying a drink and a bite to eat have more time than is the current situation at Earls Court?
One of the really exciting things about the move to ExCel is that it allows us to retain all of the features and ways of working that have contributed to the success of ICE at the same time as working with our exhibitors and other stakeholders to improve and enhance the show experience.
These last few years must have been like being on a roller coaster. Do you see more major challenges ahead? It has been an extremely exciting part of my professional life and one that I have thoroughly enjoyed and continue to enjoy! The move to ExCel removes the uncertainty that for obvious reasons surrounded Earls Court. It means that we can all focus on the future rather than be constantly fire fighting. In partnership with our customers the challenge is to take ICE to that next level – it’s a very exciting time!
For the thousands of visitors that attend each year does Clarions call ‘it’s never too early to register’ still apply for ICE 2012? Whilst the big story is about ExCel and 2013, the immediate focus is of course on 2012 and I have to say it is a mouth-watering prospect. Half way through the year and I’m delighted to say that the hall is 93 per cent full. Our aim is to build on the success of 2011 when ICE lived up to all of our expectations recording double digit growth and in the process breaking the 20,000 attendance figure.
The post show independent research we commissioned showed a very high approval rating with nine out of ten attendees saying they would recommend ICE to a colleague/associate and exhibitors being extremely bullish about the show and the business they’d written. I’m very confident about 2012 which also has the added poignancy of being the last ICE to take place at Earls Court.
So 2012 will be farewell to Earls Court for ICE, will you miss the exhibition centre? Our job as exhibition organisers is to put on the best events at the best locations. Earls Court has served the gaming industry extremely well. ICE was born at Earls Court and the venue, despite its limitations, will be close to the heart of all of the companies who have exhibited there and the close to 200,000 visitors who have walked through its doors over the last decade.
However, 2013 is the time to move on. The relocation to what is one of Europe’s most successful and modern exhibition venues will allow us to take ICE to the next level.
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