ICE 2015 breaks attendance record with over 25,000 visitors
Visitor figures for ICE 2015, held at London’s ExCel last week, increased 8pc over the previous year to 25,386 attendees, based on an independent audit. It was the first time the number had broken the 25,000 mark and the sixth consecutive year of growth for what has become the world’s biggest business-to-business gaming event.
Reflecting on the show, Kate Chambers, Portfolio Director, said: “This was the best event that I have been involved with in my 25-year career in the exhibitions sector. The opening day set the standard with some 18,000 visitors coming through the doors at ExCeL. The enthusiasm for ICE was evident across the board, from exhibitors and visitors alike. There’s no doubt that the industry has created a winning formula, with ICE proving the ideal showcase for international gaming in all of its guises.”
NOVOMATIC, which was one of the original exhibitors at the first ICE held 21 years ago and which now takes the biggest stand presence of ICE’s 512 exhibiting companies, was equally upbeat about what has become gaming’s most important three days of the year. The leading European gaming company presented on a stand the size, quite literally, of a football pitch.
“The last three days have been exceptional and the best that I have experienced since the outset of what is now, not only the biggest show in the world statistically, but also the best,” remarked David Orrick, AGI Director of Communications and Business Development. “The number and quality of visitors has been very, very good and our entire team is energised and enthused as a result of the interactions they have had at this show.”
Enthusiasm for the ICE experience was not restricted to gaming’s biggest players, with the start-ups who participated in Pitch ICE, a free competition which allowed new businesses to present their ideas in front of a live audience, also responding positively. Chris North, GamCrowd CEO, who staged Pitch ICE said: “The concept was to use ICE as a platform for entrepreneurs to pitch live and direct to attendees and we have been receiving some great feedback from all of the industry.”
ICE also earned plaudits from the influential Racing Post, which once again hosted the international betting sector. Reviewing the event, Jim Cremin, Racing Post editor, added: “ICE simply delivers on every level. Quality visitors from all over the world, exchanges of ideas, plus simple fun. It’s all about professional business done with style. There’s nothing else even close to it, and this year’s was the best yet.”
About ICE Totally Gaming
ICE Totally Gaming is the most comprehensive and international B2B gaming exhibition on the world stage. Bringing together international operators and suppliers from the betting, bingo, casino, lottery, mobile, online, social and street gaming sectors over three days, ICE Totally Gaming offers unrivalled opportunities to visitors and exhibitors alike.
