Current global struggle against pandemic COVID-19 is still affecting the gaming industry. During this year, most of the exhibitions changed modality, from face-to-face to virtual. For the next year, the idea is to slowly return to in-person shows. On July 2020, Clarion Gaming announced its popular ICE London (UK) event to take place on April, 20-22nd, 2021. However, now, the company preferred to postpone both ICE London and iGB Affiliate London, at the ExCeL London Exhibition Centre. ICE London will run three days from June 29th to July 1st, 2021, while iGB Affiliate London will develop on July 1st and 2nd, 2021. At the same time, another event, iGB Live 2021, will also be moving, from July 13-16th, 2021, to September 28th – October 1st, 2021, in Amsterdam, Netherlands, ensuring a cohesive and effective calendar for all audiences.
An official statement signed by Kate Chambers, Managing Director, Clarion Gaming, clarified this issue, by affirming: “As a consequence of the ongoing impact of COVID-19 and the continuing uncertainty in our markets, the decision to move the world’s leading gaming industry and affiliate events into the (European) summer of 2021 has been necessary. This follows close consultation with the international community of stakeholders, many of whom requested more time for both the industry and the world economy to stabilize, including an easing of regulations covering international business travel. You will likely already know that our initial proposal was to migrate ICE London and iGB Affiliate London from their historical February date to April 2021 due to force majeure. Subsequently, we have taken additional steps to review this in light of the government’s updated measures announced on September 22nd, 2020, and in the interests of our stakeholders. As a result, we have secured a later date week commencing on June 28th.”
In essence, this extension will provide a number of important advantages, enabling the very best possible space configurations and accessibility at ExCeL London, and providing additional market recovery time.
Clarion also indicated it is planning to offer future digital conferences, as part of ‘The Road to ICE and iGB 2021.’ These will be a series of digital engagements, commencing in February 2021, running through to the live events in June 2021 for the market to meet, whilst providing exclusive ICE and iGB previews. Besides, there is an idea of globally broadcasting live both ICE London and iGB Affiliate London for the very first time, in order to deliver in-person attendees an even more dynamic and hybrid experience, whilst extending the international reach of the brand and digitally supporting all of the gaming communities.
New platforms for networking, learning, entertainment and business development are in planning to ensure that ICE London and iGB Affiliate London continue to support the industry, raise morale and kick-start a global celebration of gaming.