(PRESS RELEASE) -- Clarion Gaming has today announced the 2019 launch of ICE North America, which will bring together GiGse and ICE Sports Betting USA into a consolidated event for the interactive gaming industry.
The first ICE North America will be held at the Boston Convention Exhibition Centre between 13 and 15 May 2019.
Confirming the plans and strategy, Clarion Gaming managing director Kate Chambers said, “We work extremely closely with all sections of the international gaming industry and throughout our discussions we’ve been made aware of how important it is to reduce the volume of events, conferences and exhibitions that take place during the course of a year whilst focusing on the blue chip event brands that have a track record for helping business meet its strategic objectives.”
She said the first edition of ICE North America had been scheduled in May 2019, to correspond with the dates traditionally occupied by West Coast based legacy event GiGse.
“The ICE brand is synonymous with quality and we will be bringing the same levels of professionalism, organization, commitment and insight experienced by our stakeholders at ICE London to the North American facing interactive gaming community,” she added. "The key gaming verticals we are targeting with ICE North America comprise sports betting, i-Lottery, esports and the affiliate market.”
Chambers publicly unveiled the new North America-facing show this morning at iGB Live!, Clarion’s new event combining The iGaming Super Show, EiG and Amsterdam Affiliate Conference.
The plan to launch ICE North America has been welcomed by the industry. Keith O’Loughlin, senior vice president of Sportsbook for SG Digital, a division of Scientific Games, said, “Combining GiGse and ICE Sports Betting USA marks a new era for gaming, sports, and lottery providers.”
Reflecting on the potential of the US sports betting market, he added, “ICE North America will be a massively impactful event. We’re thrilled to support Clarion in their vision of creating a space for thought leaders, manufacturers, and operators to showcase the latest in gaming technology. We’re at a cornerstone in the history of betting in the States, and it’s great to see Clarion at the heart of the change, giving providers a platform to showcase the latest and greatest technology.”
Meanwhile, Benjie Cherniak, managing director at Don Best Sports, said, “This is terrific news for the North American sports betting market, particularly in light of the recent PASPA repeal. We at Don Best have been enthusiastic supporters of both GiGse and Sports Betting North America, the latter having quickly established itself as the blue chip gathering for stakeholders in the sports betting space. Combining the two into one event under the world renowned ICE umbrella makes this a must attend event for all industry stakeholders. We look forward to our continuing involvement in 2019 and beyond."
The view was endorsed further by Julie Mossler, EVP global marketing at Sportradar, who stated, “The changing industry demands professional-quality events held in strategic locations, offering the right energy and empowering attendees to achieve key business objectives. The ICE brand is incredibly well respected in the gambling space and just what the North American event landscape needs. We look forward to being an integral part of the experience.”