SUPPLIER SPECIAL REPORT 48
ICE 2018
Welcome to parad-ICE! The 2018 edition of ICE London is set for its sixth consecutive year of growth, with new show-floor sections promising to give attendees an even more comprehensive insight into the ever-evolving industry.
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n 2017, a record 30,213 visitors from 151 countries made it to London for the three-day event. Organizers are expecting this number to jump up yet again in 2018. The 2018 show will introduce two brand new sections to their 43,500 sqm show floor, the ICE Payment Solutions Section and the Consumer Protection Zone, both of which are ICE London firsts. The payments zone, comprising 4,000sqm of space, will provide a focal point for international visitors wanting to meet and engage with the key innovators and thought leaders in the sector. Greg Saint, event director responsible for ICE London, believes the new area will be high on the list of ‘must see’ features for gaming professionals during their time in London. “The purpose of ICE is to showcase and reflect the dominant trends in gaming and payments is a case in point. We were approached by a number of leading players wanting to utilize ICE as a platform to reflect innovations in the sector and to create a meeting point for all those international visitors with an interest in the latest technologies and advances. I am delighted that we have been able to respond to the needs of the industry in this way and I am confident the resource that we are putting behind the ICE Payment Solutions Section will be well received by visitors.” Organizers will also be promoting the social responsibility message with the launch of the Consumer Protection Zone at ICE London. The Zone will provide a focus for the social responsibility message and feature key organizations that are promoting social responsibility, as well as being a platform for presentations. Ewa Bakun, Clarion Gaming’s head of industry insight & engagement, and the person responsible for organising the Zone, explained: “ICE London is not only the biggest gaming event in the world, but many industry observers regard it as the most influential. Wherever Clarion operates,
Asia Gaming Briefings | February 2018
social responsibility is one of the most important topics and that’s across both emergent and mature gaming markets. Although we are not part of the operating community we also have a responsibility to serve as a forum for discussion and knowledge exchange.” Meanwhile, delegates looking to gain the latest industry insights will be able to hear from impressive lineup of speakers at ICE VOX 2018, the show’s official conference. Hard Rock Chairman Jim Allen, UK Gambling Commission CEO Sarah Harrison and M&C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment head of entertainment, Jodie Fullagar will be among the 100+ speakers sharing their insight and knowledge over eight insightful tracks. Previewing ICE VOX, Clarion Gaming’s Sadie Walters said: “Co-locating gaming’s most comprehensive learning event with the world’s most influential gaming technology exhibition provides delegates with an opportunity to understand more about a particular strand of gaming and go on to meet the leading exponents within that sector on the ICE show floor. This is an opportunity which is unique to ICE London and one which ranks highly in our post-event market research.” The eight tracks of ICE VOX 2018 comprise of World Regulatory Briefing & The International Casino Conference held on Monday, World Regulatory Briefing (2); Data Science & Personalization and The eSports Conference on Tuesday, and Blockchain; Modernizing Lotteries; and Cybercrime & Security on Wednesday. Clarion Gaming’s Managing Director Kate Chambers summarizes: “The simple fact is that industry professionals can book their tickets to London with total confidence that every feature of the gaming universe will be represented amongst the 43,500sqm of innovation that is ICE. Other events can provide a comprehensive regional take on the industry, but ICE is the only one that showcases innovation from throughout the world.” The 2018 edition of ICE London runs at the ExCel London on February 6-8, 2018.
