new venue but also a destination city that is going to totally transform how we operate ICE and iGB Affiliate,” Stuart Hunter, Managing Director of Clarion Gaming, said at the official press launch in Barcelona in June. “Fira de Barcelona will be the epicenter for the international ICE and iGB Affiliate communities in a city which is rich in culture and exudes a spirit of innovation.” The decision to move ICE and iGB Affiliate to Barcelona came after an extensive economic study and a six-month competitive bidding process, with Madrid, Paris, and London vying for the honor. Ultimately, Barcelona’s world-class infrastructure, scalability, and vibrant culture won over the organizers by a resounding margin. “To be honest, we were not interested in moving,” Hunter added. “I think London is a fabulous city. We absolutely love it. But it is an expensive city to offer trade shows. We do pride ourselves on being partners to the industry, and when our customers started to express their pain points in terms of not having the scope to grow, we saw Barcelona as a city that could provide that path.” The Fira Barcelona Gran Via campus, the event’s new home, will span 1,291,670 square feet in its elona! GPWAtimes.org 41
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