The 2023 edition of ICE, which will take place on February 7-9, is on course to match the physical size of the 2020 event with 85% of available stand space already booked. The demand has been driven by the positive experience of exhibitors attending in April coupled with the return of the major suppliers to the land-based sector.
Stuart Hunter, managing director, Clarion Gaming, stated: “We set ourselves some demanding targets in terms of engaging with our customers and I’m delighted to say those targets have been surpassed. It’s clear from the anecdotal feedback, from the independent research that we have commissioned and most significantly from the volume of re-books, that exhibitors at ICE London 2022 enjoyed a hugely successful return to the show floor after a two-year absence due to the Covid restrictions.
“The vast majority of attending exhibitors re-booked during ICE with a significant number requesting additional stand space. We have also had confirmation of the return of the brands supplying the land-based gambling sector and all of the signs are hugely positive for 2023. The ICE brand is returning to its traditional February dates with vigour, determination and a real sense of purpose.
Hunter added: “Understandably there was some speculation that the 2022 show would lose some of its international appeal due to complications associated with Covid however gaming professionals from 138 nations made the journey to London reinforcing its status as the industry’s only truly global show. I have to reiterate that despite all of the hurdles, all of the issues and all of the speculation – ICE London 2022 was the biggest, most comprehensive and most international gaming exhibition to take place since the previous edition of ICE in February 2020. ICE London remains the event where ideas are formed, new strategies formulated and where the future is written.”
European Casino Association chairman, Per Jaldung, said: “Everyone who was in the exhibition halls at ExCeL London was reminded of the energy and vitality of big in-person events. ICE is the flagship global event for the industry and I am delighted that the exhibition is close to capacity so far in advance of it going live.
“ICE is pivotal to the recovery of the land-based sector post Covid and the ECA is working with the team at Clarion Gaming on a programme of symposia for industry suppliers and casino operators in advance of ICE 2023.”
