Clarion Events moving ICE to ExCel in Feb. 2013

LONDON, England -- (PRESS RELEASE) -- Clarion Events, which organises the internationally acclaimed ICE – Totally Gaming exhibition, has secured support from a leading group of gaming companies for its move to ExCel in February 2013.

The organisations, comprising Novomatic, Playtech, IGT, Atronic International, TCSJohn Huxley, Astro Corp and WMS Gaming, account for 4,500 square metres of stand space.

Julian Graves of Clarion Events stated: “I’m delighted that we have received the backing from our exhibitors who share our vision for the future development of the ICE brand. ICE was born at Earls Court and the venue, despite its limitations, will be close to the heart of all of the companies who have exhibited there and the 192,000-plus visitors who have walked through its doors over the last decade. However, now is the time to move on and the relocation to what is one of Europe’s most successful and modern exhibition venues will allow us to take ICE to the next level.”

Novomatic's Jens Halle, Managing Director, Austrian Gaming Industries GmbH, said: “As an industry we have spent a lot of time talking about the future of ICE. No one likes uncertainty and I am pleased to commit to ICE, which is the exhibition and the organising team our customers told us they prefer. This will represent a new era for the exhibition and its thousands of international supporters. Novomatic’s focus will be to concentrate on what we do best and that’s providing the global gaming market with the very best product innovations.”

Tracy Cohen, speaking on behalf of TCSJohn Huxley underscored the importance of the move for the entire gaming industry.

She stated: “We are delighted that the industry’s most important international business event on the calendar can now provide stability and certainty. The debate about Earls Court was becoming a distraction and we are pleased that Clarion has acted to take those concerns completely out of the equation. We would now like to see the industry working in unison in order to maximise the business opportunities that the ICE brand has proved that it can deliver.”

Turning his attention to the new location, Julian Graves commented: “We are moving to ExCel at a great time. The area will have been transformed by the hospitality and transport infrastructures which are now underway in preparation for the London games of 2012. The Olympics have certainly accelerated the improvements to this part of London far beyond what we originally anticipated. The certainty offered by a new purpose-built venue will allow us to take ICE Totally Gaming to another stage in its development and underscore its position as the world’s most complete gaming exhibition.”