Clarion announces ICE and iGB Affiliate will move from London to Barcelona

[The Buzz]

It's official! Clarion Gaming announced today that following an "extensive and detailed six-month competitive bid process" involving Barcelona, London, Madrid and Paris, that Barcelona will be the home of ICE and iGB Affiliate, beginning a five-year contract on 20-22 January 2025 at the 240,000 sqm capacity Fira de Barcelona.

In addition, as part of this detailed review, Clarion Gaming also announced the re-location of their iGB Live event from Amsterdam to London in 2025.

From the press release:

The selection process, which included an evaluation of more than 30 variables, venue visits, city presentations and detailed negotiations, was conducted by an independent international agency with vast experience in the events and location search space. The process considered all aspects of attending, exhibiting at and organizing the two events in addition to longer-term strategic factors impacting the development of ICE and iGB Affiliate.

“I would like to open by recording my thanks to our panel of global industry stakeholders, who represented all of the key gaming sectors and geographies represented at ICE, for their insight and contributions to the selection process; to the four shortlisted cities for what were highly professional and impressive bids; and to our independent agency for creating and overseeing every detail throughout each stage of the process,” said Alex Pratt, Managing Director at Clarion Gaming.

“This was a complex, customer-led undertaking. The process enabled us to identify the city that our customers believe is best equipped to be our strategic partner for the future and is able to host two world-class events which meet the needs of businesses of all sizes and locations across every part of the gaming and ICE Community.

“The successful bid by Barcelona was notable for the scale of its world-class facilities, outstanding hospitality infrastructure, logistics, ROI for our customers and ability to scale. By forging a progressive partnership comprising the international industry, Fira de Barcelona and public and private stakeholders in Barcelona, Catalonia and Spain we have a huge opportunity to create an important legacy for the future.

In a GPWA Poll back in February, we asked members where they would like to see ICE and iGB Affiliate held each year and only 13% voted for Barcelona while more than half of the respondents voted for London:

GPWA Poll: Where do you want future ICE and the co-located iGB Affiliate conferences to be held?

GPWA Times Magazine article about the poll: www.gpwatimes.org/issue56/12/

Here is the full press release: www.gpwa.org/article/ice-and-igb-affiliate-moving-from-london-to-barcelona-252880

[Anthony]

I really enjoy London, but didn't care for the January-February dates. I expect Barcelona will have more favorable weather.

In addition, as part of this detailed review, Clarion Gaming also announced the re-location of their iGB Live event from Amsterdam to London in 2025

Lots of changes, I am looking forward to seeing London in July but wow, Amsterdam will be missed.

Will just have to see how it all works out...

[Strider1973]

I also think that Barcelona is a much better choice early in the year due to weather.
But I'll miss Amsterdam!

[The Buzz]

Following the announcement by Clarion, SBC CEO and Founder Rasmus Sojmark expressed his displeasure with the news on LinkedIn, posting:

We are disappointed but not surprised at Clarion’s decision to move ICE London to the city where SBC hosts its flagship event SBC Summit Barcelona.

It seems imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but I can’t see how this decision is based on what is best for the industry, just what is best for Clarion. And the many industry friends and partners we have been speaking to already know that, despite any attempts of hiding behind a so-called ‘process’.

SBC from the industry, for the industry !!

Read the entire post here: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update...49406998528%29

[onlinebetdotcom]

Easier for LATAM countries to get to Barcelona.

[wonderpunter]

yes!!! this is great news... barcelona is a great city , awesome trasnport links nice weather

[affy]

For sure the "oldies" here remember CAP and IGB entering Barcelona 2006/2007 when tenths of people got mugged and robbed in Barcelona...

That city didn't get any safer since then...

[mickyfu]

For sure the "oldies" here remember CAP and IGB entering Barcelona 2006/2007 when tenths of people got mugged and robbed in Barcelona...

That city didn't get any safer since then...

Can't really say London is any safer.

[affy]

Bogota seems unsafe too.

I was referring to the specific events were loads of people of the industry got mugged and robbed back then...

[Maszopedia]

Apparently it will be much more profitable to maintain this event in Barcelona than in London, and also the policy for such companies is much stricter there in London.

[wonderpunter]

Can't really say London is any safer.

Way worse Muggings with weapons in London trumps Barcelona by miles

[Pokerface]

I love London but not in February. This will be a great time of year to visit BCN for these conferences. With iGB Live moving to London in the summer (I assume) will still get to enjoy London with better weather.

[wonderpunter]

I love London but not in February. This will be a great time of year to visit BCN for these conferences. With iGB Live moving to London in the summer (I assume) will still get to enjoy London with better weather.

Less cancelled flights for bad weather but way more strikes at the airports and still rain

[onlinebetdotcom]

I just read a stat that in 2022 Jan to May

Barcelona had 225 per day reported thefts for pickpockets
London had 127 per day

That makes it maybe 10 times more likely to have this happen in Barcelona than in London.

London has almost 9 million residents vs 1.6 million residents in Barcelona.

[kwwriting]

Oh, without a doubt.

[mickyfu]

I just read a stat that in 2022 Jan to May

Barcelona had 225 per day reported thefts for pickpockets
London had 127 per day

That makes it maybe 10 times more likely to have this happen in Barcelona than in London.

London has almost 9 million residents vs 1.6 million residents in Barcelona.

Compare the stats to violent muggings - Barcelona vs London. Where I live (Canary Islands) there are a lot of muggings / mostly pickpocket crime. However, and I am not saying it is right, most mugging victims make themselves a target (easy pickings due to being seriously drunk). I can't really speak for Barcelona, however Spain has a significantly less crime index than the UK.

I would take an educated guess, that muggings and theft in Barcelona, are way less violent than London (where literally you will get stabbed over a fiver or your Casio watch)

[CasinosJungle]

Compare the stats to violent muggings - Barcelona vs London. Where I live (Canary Islands) there are a lot of muggings / mostly pickpocket crime. However, and I am not saying it is right, most mugging victims make themselves a target (easy pickings due to being seriously drunk). I can't really speak for Barcelona, however Spain has a significantly less crime index than the UK.

I would take an educated guess, that muggings and theft in Barcelona, are way less violent than London (where literally you will get stabbed over a fiver or your Casio watch)

I think this is a key point you make - yes pick pockets are prevalent in touristy areas in Barcelona and will take risks of snatching handbags, watches and mobile phones because the police will not really do much. But violent crimes are way, way less common. I have lived in Barcelona 4 years now and my advice is simply be vigilant! If you are drunk late at night especially wandering around Raval, Las Ramblas or Gotic you are an easy target. So be mindful of your surroundings.

Barcelona is a wonderful city with some amazing restaurants, fabulous architecture and a buzzing atmosphere. The risk of having your phone nicked shouldn't be a reason not to attend the conferences here.