Clarion Gaming has outlined an ambitious 5-year growth and development plan ahead of the relocation of its sector-leading ICE and iGB Affiliate shows from London to Barcelona in January 2025.

In an update which was issued six months in advance of  the historic relocation to Barcelona, Clarion Gaming Managing Director Stuart Hunter said: “Our relocation to Barcelona provides us with the ability to scale the exhibition at a pace that suits the industry. 

“The January 2025 show will comprise 120,000 sqm of space compared to the 100,000 sqm at ICE 2024. Whilst we could have filled 150,000 sqm in our first year in Barcelona we are very conscious of the need for controlled growth. Our strategy is to expand the physical size of the show in parallel with a proportionate uplift in attendance. 

“The targets that we have set and which Barcelona enables us to achieve are to grow the show to 200,000 sqm over the next five-years and the attendance to circa 100,000 which will represent a 45 percent uplift on the record established at the February 2023 edition. These are bold targets which we are focussed on achieving in partnership with the industry and for the betterment of all of our stakeholders.”

He added that the move to Barcelona opened up the opportunity to redraw the floor plan to make it simpler for visitors. He confirmed: “Visitors seeking exhibitors in the casino sector will go to Hall 3, Hall 2 will be the home for online gaming, Hall 5 will accommodate the sports betting and esports community with the iGB Affiliate show housed in the 13,407 sqm capacity Hall 1. This will make the sourcing of sector-specific content even easier which will be of huge benefit to visitors wanting to optimise their attendance at what is their most important business event of the year.”

Stuart Hunter said that Clarion is poised to launch its ICE 2025 travel guide which will talk through the best ways for visitors to attend ICE and secure competitively priced hotel accommodation. He noted: “We have 40,000 hotel nights at the lowest rates possible for the duration of the five-year tenancy which can be accessed via our official accommodation partnerbnetwork https://icehotels.bnetwork.com/ . In terms of travel, flights are well-priced and the venue is a 20-minute metro journey from the airport to Fira de Barcelona Gran Via's integrated station.

“In a huge show of confidence exhibitors are backing the move with 72% of the 25 biggest exhibitors upsizing their stand presence in 2025. We are being told by the market that exhibitors more so than at any time in the past will be using the global platform provided by ICE/iGB Affiliate to launch new products and innovations to what promises to be the biggest gathering of gambling professionals on record.