“We respect the brands that have withdrawn from this year’s event and the reasons behind their decisions. We are aware that ICE is a critically important event and that Clarion Gaming has a duty of care to protect the interests of those who have chosen to withdraw from this year’s show. It’s a commitment that also holds true for the 450+ brands that have confirmed their participation in ICE and, after consultation with our customers, I can confirm that the show will go ahead as planned in April,” said Clarion Gaming’s Group Managing Director, Alex Pratt
“I’d like to assure exhibitors that we will do everything we can to support the land-based sector to participate in this year’s ICE and, if that’s not possible, we will protect their stand allocation into 2023. We encourage exhibitors to get in touch with the Clarion Gaming team to discuss their individual circumstances and we will seek to accommodate their needs on a client-by-client basis. We are committed to offering every possible support as they decide what’s best for their business,” he added.
From an ICE perspective, Clarion Gaming remains full-steam ahead with its investments in ICE 2022 and has confirmed that it is walking nothing back from the event this year. “We have spent a huge amount of time, energy and resources to ensure that the return of ICE is a more advanced spectacle than ever before,” stated Stuart Hunter, Managing Director of Clarion Gaming. “It’s been too long since the industry has been able to meet face-to-face and we look forward to bringing everyone together to experience the changes we have made over the last two years.”
In a podcast interview with G3 released on January 25th, both Alex and Stuart reiterated that there are no alternate dates for ICE other than the current proposed dates of April 12-14. If there remains any doubt that the show could be moved, Clarion Gaming today made clear that the show cannot be postponed to fresh dates in 2022. The next available date for a show of the scale and size of ICE is February 2023.
“The vast majority of the exhibitors and attendees have told us that they want the show to take place in April as planned and we will work with anyone in any way to make that happen,” stated Alex Pratt. “In our charter, we made a clear commitment to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our customers and that’s not just when times are good, but also when times are hard.”
Stuart Hunter added: “I appreciate the focus on the withdrawals from the ICE show is making headlines, but the fact is that the show itself will not be materially smaller. We have 15 new exhibitors confirmed over the past week and we are supporting their decision to commit to the show in April. We have seen a 28 per cent increase in exhibitors on the affiliate side of the show and so we are committed to delivering an amazing event for the customers who want to attend ICE this year, while being respectful of the decision by many of the brands to withdraw from ICE 2022.”
Despite the withdrawals, ICE 2022 remains the largest gaming show on the planet, with existing customers and those on waiting lists taking additional space at the exhibition, which is now just 11 weeks away.
Source: GMB / G3 Newswire
