The world’s media assembled at the ExCeL Centre in London’s Docklands this morning for the official ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the opening of the 2017 edition of ICE Totally Gaming. Respected gaming industry journalist David Snook, who is celebrating 50 years reporting on ICE and its predecessors, and Åsa Bredin, CDO at NetEnt and a leading advocate of recruiting more women to senior positions within gaming, had the honour of opening the world’s most prestigious gaming technology event, alongside Kate Chambers, Managing Director of Clarion’s Gaming Division.
Speaking at the event, Kate Chambers said: "David first reported on the premier event in gaming, when it was held at London’s Alexandra Palace in 1967. The industry, powered by advances in technology is now a vastly different business. We are indebted to David as we are to the entire community of gaming media for their ongoing support of ICE.”
She continued: "When David first reported on the industry, there would have been little, if any discussion on diversity! I’m pleased that times have changed, if not at the pace that we would all wish to see.
"Diversity is an issue which is close to my heart and that of Åsa Bredin. It is due to the pioneering work of organisations such as Global Gaming Women and the professional achievements of women such as Åsa, who hold positions of real influence, that it is now firmly on the agenda, including at ICE, where Clarion’s Head of Content, Ewa Bakun, has organised a seminar dedicated to the issue.
"The eyes of the world are focused on the events taking place at ICE and the truly amazing technologies that are being showcased by the industry’s leading innovators. I hope that all ICE stakeholders, exhibitors and visitors alike, enjoy another hugely successful edition of what has become the world’s favourite international gaming event.”
This year’s event promises to be the biggest and best yet, with a schedule jam-packed with world-leading industry speakers and a whole host of exhibitors never before seen at ICE Totally Gaming.
Physically, the 2017 event is the largest ICE have ever held, commandeering a colossal 40,925 sqm at ExCeL London – 5% larger than in 2016. As exhibitors thrive and are increasingly showcasing advances in technology as part of their offering, so their stands have grown, and in addition to this, 91 exhibitors from 34 different nations are displaying for the first time at the event – both of which have contributed to our exponential growth as the biggest gaming event in the world.
2017 is the year of record breaking, with our largest ever stand also appearing at this year’s event; at 600 sqm Prague-based Apollo Games, a slot and lottery systems creator, is a plot not to be missed, found at stand N6-160.
There are also 557 legislators and regulators from jurisdictions around the globe, as well as 51 CEOs that represent every industry body and trade association in the world. Covering their thought leadership and amplifying the Totally Gaming message are 42 media organisations represented by 130 journalists, making ICE Totally Gaming 2017 a truly global event.
67 - The number of jurisdictions and sovereign states represented on the show floor at ICE 2017. The UK, Malta, United States, Isle of Man, Italy, Germany, Slovenia, Spain, Czech Republic, Taiwan and Austria will all have double digit representation at the event.
557 - Over 557 regulators and legislators from jurisdictions around the globe will be attending the ExCeL London for ICE 2017, alongside 51 CEO's representing every major industry body and trade association in the world.
91 - The total number of gaming organisations exhibiting at ICE for the first time in 2017, from across 34 nations. Of these first-time exhibitors, the most represented countries are the UK (17), Malta (13), United States (6), China, Cyprus and Taiwan (all 4).
40,925 sqm - The total net space occupied by ICE at the ExCeL London, compared to the 38,980 sqm in 2016. The additional 1,945 sqm represents a 5% increase in space, and ensures that ICE 2017 will be the biggest on record.
42 - The number of accredited media organisations with their own stand space at ICE 2017. 130 journalists and publishers are expected for one of the most reported events in Gaming history.
600 sqm - Prague-based Apollo Games, a slot and lottery systems creator, will be the biggest first-time exhibitor in the history of ICE Totally Gaming with a 600 sqm presence at stand N6-160.
40 - The number of pages in a puzzle book to promote attendance at ICE 2017. The Clarion team has described it as "an unconventional element within what is a mammoth marketing initiative”. 'ICE - providing all the answers', which is also available in digital format, poses questions on things such as the host city of London and ICE advertising campaigns.
