The world’s largest gaming technology exhibition returns to the UK capital this year, when ICE 2020 takes place at ExCeL London between the 4th and 6th of February.
Widely regarded as the industry’s most influential learning and networking event, ICE 2020 provides the perfect opportunity for betting, gaming and esports professionals to come together – this year inviting the sector to ‘Step Into The Future’ and discover the next big things in gaming.
At last year’s event, more than 35,000 people visited the show over the three days, exploring the latest innovations from more than 600 exhibitors from 150 countries.
The 2020 show promises to be just as big, with a global network of gaming professionals across all industry types and levels of seniority in attendance – offering you the chance to build relationships with key players right across the world.
What can you expect from ICE 2020?
ICE 2020 kicks off with ICE VOX – a two-day (3rd and 4th Feb) series of inspirational talks, conferences and panel discussions, providing valuable insights on the industry’s biggest challenges and market opportunities.
Among the many key topics covered will be a World Regulatory Briefing, held by global gaming regulators to discuss regulatory enforcement, and sessions on the Law Aspects of British Gaming Laws.
Topics like Advertising & Marketing and Data Security & Safety will also be covered – but bear in mind you’ll need an ICE VOX conference pass in order to attend. ICE VOX conference passes will give you access to the main show too – but regular show tickets won’t get you into the conference.
The main event (4th to 6th Feb) follows the conference, with product launches and tech innovations to discover from a wide range of exhibitors across the betting, bingo, lottery, casino, esports, mobile and online games landscape.
Of course, there’s also plenty of opportunities for networking and business-building, with a series of drinks receptions and breakfast meetings scheduled to help you rub shoulders with some of the industry’s key figures.
Show highlights – what you can’t afford to miss…
With so much going on at ICE 2020, you won’t be short of things to see and do across the three-day show – but here are some of the highlights:.
1. Tom Watson
The show has landed a real coup in securing Tom Watson, former Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, to deliver a keynote speech as part of ICE VOX.
A long-standing and influential advocate for regulatory change in the UK, he will take to the stage on Monday 3rd February (9.30am) to give a talk on Reforming Gambling Policy.
Ahead of his appearance, Watson said: ”The last major review of gambling regulation in the UK was conducted in 2001. Since then society has been transformed by a revolution in technology which has reshaped the gambling landscape. With the British Government now committed to a further review, the challenge is to deliver change that is fit for the digital age, provides a safer environment for the consumer and a successful well regulated industry.”
As part of his talk at ICE 2020, Watson says he hopes to “explain the importance of introducing positive change, and in the process, turn Britain’s regulation of gambling into an example to the world.”
2. Harold Neumann
Among the other keynote speakers appearing at ICE VOX is Harald Neumann – CEO of one of the world’s largest gaming technology providers and casino operators, Novomatic AG.
An unmissable session for anyone with a vested interest in the European gambling market, the fireside chat will centre on the key issues of CSR and Responsible Gaming, with Neumann drawing on his own experiences to illustrate the challenges of increasingly restrictive regulatory frameworks.
3. Augmented Experiences
While there’s serious business to be done and discussed at ICE 2020, there’s plenty of fun to be had too.
This year, event planners will attempt to engage with visitors in a whole new way, with an Augmented Reality experience inviting attendees to ‘Step, Look, Dive and Leap into the Future’
Taking the immersive show experience to another level, ICE has partnered with AR and VR specialists SPARK to deliver a unique treasure hunt right across the ExCeL arena.
Attendees can use their smartphones to scan and interact with futuristic content at eight markers around the event – and if you find them all, you will be entered into a prize draw.
Alongside the treasure hunt, augmented reality will also be used to facilitate visitors’ interaction with the ‘ICE Bot” – a large-scale animated character who will guide you around the exhibition.
Find out more and download the app by visiting www.icelondon.uk.com/look-into-the-future
Networking at ICE London
For many of course, the main purpose of a visit to ICE London is to build business contacts – and with so many of the industry’s biggest names in attendance, it really is an opportunity not to be passed up.
So, while you can meet and mingle with plenty of people on the main show floor, it makes sense to head for some of the show’s pre-planned networking events too.
A number of themed drinks receptions, breakfasts and lunches are set up across the duration of the event, and while some are on an invitation basis only, others are free to all. These include the LatAm and Africa Drinks Receptions, essential for any attendees interested in building contacts and operations in those particular regions.
The guidance includes a handy reminder to keep a firm eye on your watch when you’re heading to appointments and meetings. With 37 halls, hundreds of exhibitors and 49,500sqm of floor space, it certainly becomes very easy to lose track of time…
