Clarion Gaming has announced a second postponement of next year’s ICE London with the world’s largest annual gaming industry trade show now scheduled for 29 June to 1 July 2021.
Originally scheduled for 2 to 4 February, ICE London had already been postponed once until late April but has been delayed again due to ongoing concerns over international travel and rising COVID-19 case numbers across the UK. iGB Affiliate London will move to 1 and 2 July 2021.
“As a consequence of the ongoing impact of COVID-19 and the continuing uncertainty in our markets, the decision to move the world’s leading gaming industry and affiliate events into the summer of 2021 has been necessary and follows close consultation with the international community of stakeholders, many of whom requested more time for both the industry and the world economy to stabilize including an easing of regulations covering international business travel,” said Clarion Gaming Managing Director, Kate Chambers.
“This extension provides a number of important advantages compared with April, not least enabling the very best possible space configurations and accessibility at ExCeL London.
“We believe this is paramount in order to support all of our client’s requirements, whilst underpinning our vision for the 2021 events. As well as the significant logistical benefits, we are also very much aware that it provides additional market recovery time – which we believe will further enhance and support the delivery, outcomes and experiences for all participants.”
The 2020 edition of ICE London, held from 4 to 6 February, was one of the industry’s last major trade shows to successfully take place before the COVID-19 pandemic took hold globally.
As reported by Inside Asian Gaming in late March, ExCeL London was converted into NHS Nightingale Hospital London, a makeshift COVID-19 field hospital under the operation of the National Health Service. On 4 May, it was announced that the hospital would be put on standby, as no new COVID-19 patients were expected to be admitted. However, it has recently been proposed that the site could be used as a center for administering a COVID-19 vaccine when readily available.
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