ICE 2021 postponed until April
Conference delayed over Covid-19 concerns with ExCeL venue still being used as an emergency NHS Nightingale hospital
The 2021 ICE London gambling exhibition has been postponed until April, EGR Intel has learned.
The expo, which usually takes place in February, has been rescheduled to 20-22 April due to concerns over the Covid-19 pandemic.
Event organiser Clarion Gaming is set to hold a Q&A press conference event on 16 July where full details of the postponement will be announced.
Clarion Gaming MD Kate Chambers said: “In our ongoing discussions with the market it has become clear that the disruption and impact of the pandemic was causing some doubt and nervousness about our traditional February dates.
“As the Clarion Gaming brands exist to satisfy the needs of the market – exhibitors, delegates and speakers – we have moved the 2021 dates to April 20/21/22 once again at the ExCeL London Exhibition Centre.
“While the world is likely to be in a much better place in April 2021, I’m certain that we will experience more bumps in the road.
“However, I’m confident that with the on-going support of the ICE London and iGB Affiliate communities as well as the dedication of the Clarion Gaming team, we can navigate those challenges and deliver events that all sectors of the international industry want and need,” she added.
Covid-19 has kindled turbulent times for the gambling industry’s booming conferencing and events sector, with several calendar highlights becoming digital for the very first time this year.
G2E Las Vegas – the biggest event in the US market – cancelled its October in-person expo due to uncertainty around global travel restrictions and unknown guidance on large public gatherings.
EGR understands ICE 2021 has been postponed for the same reasons, while there are also concerns over convincing exhibitors to take part under the UK’s current coronavirus guidance, as first reported by The iGaming Post.
ExCeL London, the traditional venue for ICE, has been transformed into an emergency NHS Nightingale hospital with the capacity to provide up to 500 intensive care beds for Covid-19.
ICE 2021 was originally set to bring more than 35,000 igaming professionals together between 2-4 February.
More to follow…