IGCE a Huge Success
The International Gaming Conference & Expo (IGCE), which took place April 9th-11th in San Jose, Costa Rica, dramatically exceeded its goal of addressing issues of growth, technology, legalities and consolidation as they affect the companies competing within this burgeoning industry of gaming. As the accolades continue to pour in from those who attended, exhibited and sponsored, plans are presently underway for IGCE Europe, to be held in Dublin, Ireland, September 10-12 at Fitzpatrick Castle. "It was clearly our intention to take the lead as a conference destination for the industry," indicated Chris Dauer, Director of Conferences for The Sports Network, organizer of the event, "and the final results have indicated that the first step towards that goal has been achieved. Those are the facts, not self-aggrandizement or breast-beating by ourselves, the organizers, but truly the reflection of the results. The plaudits and kudos, the compliments, have been ongoing and we fully expect that Dublin will be twice as big and successful as Costa Rica.
"Consequently, one's accomplishments and successes are best judged by what others have to say about your efforts, and not by self-indulgence, so inclusion of those comments are more than ample confirmation of the result, as well as what the future holds."
"I've been to many conferences over the years, as speaker, moderator, chairperson and attendee in some cases but this was the best opening cocktail party for those in attendance that I have seen," said Joe Kelly, a renowned attorney and Professor of Business Law at SUNY College at Buffalo, who spoke on a panel addressing the political hurdles facing the industry world-wide today. "It was not only planned down to the last minute detail but organized in such a fashion that speakers, sponsors, attendees and exhibitors were able to interact for extended periods of time without worrying about dinner plans thanks to the repast offered. Just fantastic!"
"Congratulations on a really great conference! I don't think I have ever spoken before a more interested audience. And a lot of people told me that our legal debate was the best of its kind they had ever seen," stated I. Nelson Rose, attorney and gaming law expert, who debated Bob Blumenfeld, one of the lead counselors for Antigua in the case against the U.S. in the WTO. "I am glad I was able to help make the conference such a success."
Melissa Kearns, Assistant Director for Conferences at TSN, added that "Our direction of analyzing and examining the gaming industry today, and what the future holds, began, sustained and closed with presentations followed by questioning and interacting with some of the preeminent names in the industry and organizations that have helped to set the height of the bar. It is fully our intention to maintain that pace when we arrive in Dublin in September and it is very encouraging to see that the inquiries for sponsorship, exhibiting, speaking and attending are already coming to us in great numbers. Those who have attended conferences for years, who are extremely knowledgeable and respected, have added such laudatory comments as the following:
'The show had a good flow, interesting topics, and a great mix of panelists. I was proud to be a part of the maiden voyage!' - Terry Lefton, Editor at Large, Sports Business Journal
'The event was not only informative, but the most well planned event I have attended in years. I will definitely be in attendance in Dublin.' - Michael Caselli, Editor, iGaming Magazine
'The convention dramatically exceeded its goal of addressing issues of growth, technology, legalities and consolidation as they affect the companies competing within this rapidly expanding industry. With a brilliant first effort behind them, the IGCE takes on Dublin, Ireland in the fall of 2006.' - Buzz Daly, Contributing Writer, EOG.com
"It is expected," Ms. Kearns concluded, "that everyone will be marking down those dates in September for IGCE Europe and that ours, in Costa Rica and Ireland, will be the mainstays and principal gathering places for conference participants for the future."
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