This means that the event is on course to match the size of ICE London 2020, which took place just before the first Covid-19 pandemic lockdown in March 2020.
The demand in stand space stems from the success of ICE London 2022, which took place in April, as well as the return of major land-based suppliers.
The 2022 edition of the event saw gambling industry professionals from 158 jurisdictions, 59 countries and 410 exhibiting companies in attendance.
“We set ourselves some demanding targets in terms of engaging with our customers and I’m delighted to say those targets have been surpassed,” said Stuart Hunter, managing director at Clarion Gaming.
“It’s clear from the anecdotal feedback, from the independent research that we have commissioned and most significantly from the volume of re-books, that exhibitors at ICE London 2022 enjoyed a hugely successful return to the show floor after a two-year absence due to the Covid restrictions.”
Hunter added that several attendees re-booked their stand space during the ICE London 2022 show.
“The vast majority of attending exhibitors re-booked during ICE with a significant number requesting additional stand space, ” he continued. “The ICE brand is returning to its traditional February dates with vigour, determination and a real sense of purpose.”
“ICE London remains the event where ideas are formed, new strategies formulated and where the future is written.”
The 2022 show hosted many of the industry’s leading chatities and strategic bodies, including the European Casino Association (ECA), International Association of Gaming Advisors and the International Association of Gaming Regulators.
ECA chairman Per Jaldung praised the return of the show to its original dates, adding that the body will work with Clarion Gaming ahead of next year’s show.
“Everyone who was in the exhibition halls at ExCeL London was reminded of the energy and vitality of big in-person events,” said Jaldung. “ICE is the flagship global event for the industry and I am delighted that the exhibition is close to capacity so far in advance of it going live.”
“ICE is pivotal to the recovery of the land-based sector post-Covid and the ECA is working with the team at Clarion Gaming on a programme of symposia for industry suppliers and casino operators in advance of ICE 2023.”
The news follows the opening of the Elizabeth Line last week, which is set to reduce the journey from central London to the ExCeL to 12 minutes.
ICE London 2023 is set to take place on 7-9 February 2023 at the ExCeL London.
Original article: https://igamingbusiness.com/ice-approaching-capacity-for-2023-nine-months-ahead-of-show/
