Lewis Pek Editor
Comment
March 2016
The ICE show in London was spectacular this year. The organisation, the planning, the visitation and even, despite the detractors, the location was perfect. Outline attendance figures for February's ICE exhibition have been declared at 28,487 unique visitors. The interim figure, a record for the world's biggest business-to-business gaming event, represents a 11.7 per cent increase on the total for 2015 and is the seventh consecutive year of growth for ICE. The attendance data, which has been compiled by the company responsible for registration at ICE 2016, will now undergo an independent audit in order to be confirmed as an accurate figure - but these are just that - figures. What was standout at this year’s ICE was the ‘mood.’
I’d have to stretch back to 2005 or 2006 to think of a more upbeat, positive, eager and appreciative exhibition. I met a number of executives that had travelled to London from Australia after a five-six year gap, who were stunned by the size and scale of the exhibition, having last attended the show at Earls Court. What was exceptional for them was the atmosphere, the giddy pleasure that customers with cash in their pockets experience when they see amazing products; the thrill of playing new games; witnessing new technology entering the gaming
OUTLINE ATTENDANCE FIGURES FOR FEBRUARY’S ICE EXHIBITION HAVE BEEN DECLARED AT 28,487 UNIQUE VISITORS.
space and being adopted by buyers and players, and, of course, the breath-taking innovation that spills onto the aisles of the show floor. From the multi-storey stand builds to CRYO labs, to twerking dancers and in-depth FREE technical presentations; stands filled with foliage, cabanas for relaxing and sports legends to challenge head-to-head - there was something at ICE for everyone.
It’s been almost a decade since a gaming industry show has been such an exciting place to visit. And if ICE proves yet again to be a bellwether for the 12 months ahead and a fortune-teller for the gaming sector as a whole, 2016 should be a standout year and perhaps even a return to pre-downturn status. The positive comments, the scale of the orders placed and the volume of visitors all indicate that gaming is back on the front-foot again across all market segments and global jurisdictions. It’s an exciting time to be part the gaming industry right now.
EDITORIAL Editor
Lewis Pek
lewis@gamingpublishing.co.uk +44 (0) 1942 879291
News Editor Phil Martin
phil@gamingpublishing.co.uk +44 (0)7801 967714
Associate Editor (Malaga) Karen Southall
karensouthall@gmail.com
Consultant (Germany) John Carroll
carroll@carrollconsulting.de
South America Correspondent James Marrison
jamesmarrison@gmail.com Contributors
David Addison, Valery Bollier, Rob Painter
P4 NEWSWIRE / INTERACTIVE /
247.COM ADVERTISING
Commercial Director John Slattery
john@gamingpublishing.co.uk +44 (0)7917 166471
Advertising Executive James Slattery
james@gamingpublishing.co.uk +44 (0)7917 166471
Advertising Executive Alison Dronfield
alison@gamingpublishing.co.uk +44 (0)1204 410771
PRODUCTION
Senior Designer Gareth Irwin
Production Manager Paul Jolleys
Subscriptions Manager Jennifer Pek
Commercial Administrator John Pek
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