ICE London Gaming Expo Cancelled
The ICE London Gaming Show which was due to be held in late June has been cancelled for the year says Clarion Events the organisers of the annual meeting for the gaming sector.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic which sees the venue, The Excel Centre in London still be using as an emergency hospital, the ICE Show which has seen its normal date in early February changed firstly to April and then late June now cancelled completely for the year.
In the official announcement Stuart Hunter MD for Clarion Gaming said: “The soundings we’ve taken and the ongoing conversations we are having with exhibitors of all sizes across both events have shown continued and significant uncertainty about the year ahead. Exhibitors have expressed a desire to put the experiences of the last 12 months behind them and instead focus their collective energy and creativity into making the 2022 editions into memorable in-person celebrations.”
The iGaming Post has tried to contact Clarion Gaming several times prior to the announcement as several exhibitors and former staff at Clarion approached the iGaming Post regarding the cancellation, but no response was forthcoming from the organisers.
It is understood that pressure was growing on Clarion to make an announcement because of the huge uncertainty around international travel along with a gaming industry globally reeling from the impact of the pandemic.
One gaming consultant told the iGaming Post, “We know the whole industry is suffering and the land based sector the most, we have great sympathy with event companies like Clarion who are in a difficult position, but it is clear that an International event like ICE was never going to happen this year.”
A leading exhibitor who requested not to be named said, “Clarion Gaming was in a very difficult position but it would be impossible for the event to take place this year. The industry needs to recover first and how will international exhibitors and attendees feel confident enough to travel?”
Last month Clarion Gaming went through a management reshuffle with Kate Chambers the MD of Clarion Gaming departing the company and Alex Pratt being installed as Group Managing Director of Clarion Gaming.
The iGaming Post also has been informed that the organising team for ICE Gaming has been reduced quite dramatically with job losses.
With the World now looking at vaccines to be introduced rapidly to their citizens and the UK leading the way in terms of vaccinating its population, the ICE Gaming Expo is just coming too soon for confidence in the market to hold a full scale international gaming event.
Clarion Gaming is only one of many events companies in the gaming industry struggling with the current pandemic and trying to re-organise their schedules, it is clear that 2021 will see some events taking place, on what scale and participation is still unclear.
