The members of the ICE and iGB Affiliate Advisory Board, the group of major exhibitors brought together to help oversee the pan-European bid process to host the two gaming expos, participated in an orientation event organized by Clarion Gaming in partnership with Fira de Barcelona and the Barcelona Convention Bureau.
Exhibitors from the online, land-based, and affiliate gaming sectors were represented across the two Orientation Days, held ahead of ICE’s relocation from its traditional home of London to Barcelona starting in 2025, providing them with “a taste” of what the new experience will be like.
The event included guided tours of the 240,000-square-meter venue in partnership with the Fira de Barcelona team, an insight into the available facilities, explanations of how exhibitors participating in similar Tier 1 international events have represented their brands at the venue, as well as a detailed breakdown of the array of opportunities offered by Barcelona’s world-class hospitality infrastructure including restaurants, entertainment venues and hotels.
Constantí Serrallonga, CEO of Fira de Barcelona, said: “Winning the bid to host the ICE and iGB Affiliate expos from 2025 strengthens the city’s international standing as a premier destination for major international events and conferences.”
“For Fira, it means increased visibility and an opportunity to showcase our world-class facilities and services. Our team will strive to provide a seamless and enjoyable experience for the over 40,000 attendees. We look forward to providing a memorable experience to all of them,” he added.
Christoph Tessmar
According to Christoph Tessmar, Director of Barcelona Convention Bureaux, Barcelona is renowned for its inviting and inclusive ambiance. Tessmar believes the city sets itself apart as a well-prepared host for prestigious gatherings, showcasing excellent services and cutting-edge infrastructure.
Tessmar commented: “The seamless coordination across various official bodies and different stakeholders in Barcelona plays a pivotal role in ensuring the success of events of this caliber, contributing to the flawless execution of programs at the highest standards.”
“It is crucial to underscore that Barcelona, as a collective entity, stands fully prepared to host events of significant magnitude. The city encapsulates a welcoming atmosphere that fosters excellence, innovation, and entrepreneurship, rendering it an ideal backdrop for any occasion that values these principles,” he considered.
Reflecting on the Orientation initiative, Stuart Hunter, Managing Director at Clarion Gaming, said that everything that the organizing team does is undertaken in partnership with their customers. He described the Advisory Board as “pivotal” in the process of identifying the best city and the best venue for the development of ICE and its sister show iGB Affiliate.
“As the bookend to that customer-driven process, we are delighted to have hosted Advisory Board members who contributed to what has been widely acknowledged as a best-in-class, highly professional and forensic process. From January 2025 Fira de Barcelona will be the epicenter for the international ICE and iGB Affiliate communities in a city that is rich in culture and which exudes a spirit of innovation,” he stated.
According to Hunter, the overriding impression left with the Advisory Board members who have experienced Fira de Barcelona and been part of the tours and presentations is that “the possibilities are endless.”
“We are also in the planning stages to host an additional orientation event for the entire ICE and iGB Affiliate exhibitor base in March next year. This will provide all participants with the opportunity to get familiar with the event space and operational capabilities to support their planning for 2025. A virtual tour is also in production for release in the New Year, to further support the transition process,” the Managing Director shared.
“Our focus now is on delivering an exceptional edition of ICE 2024 for our international stakeholder community: saying a huge thank you to ExCeL London for hosting ICE and iGB Affiliate so professionally and being such an important part of their success,” he concluded.
