Games Market Europe: New European video and computer games business trade event announced for the UK

New European Industry Expo: August 31st and September 1st 2005 Business Design Centre, Islington, London, UK.

Thursday 19 May 2005/... A major new trade showcase for the European computer and video games industry has today been announced.

Games Market Europe will take place on August 31st and September 1st 2005 at London's Business Design Centre. The event will herald a new era for the European games industry, as it welcomes one event that will unify the continent and the business.

The event is a collaboration between Barrington Harvey and Tandem Events, a new venture being headed up by Andy Lane, who held the position of event director of ECTS over the last 10 years.

"After the confusion of the last couple of years, the games market has been asking for a single, focused, no-nonsense trade event - Games Market Europe is this event," says Andy Lane, event director. "It delivers on every front: it provides the right environment for business and networking, it's in the right place and it's the right price."

"We wanted to build an event that is inclusive for all sectors of the industry, which is why entry is free to all pre-registered trade attendees and exhibitor packages are priced far below previous events, with a uniform approach to booth sizes doing away with the need for high additional event costs."

"The UK is the home of the games business in Europe and we believe it is essential that we deliver the right event in the UK, this year."

Lane added: "The feedback has been tremendous and indeed we sold 10 per cent of the event before we had a floor plan. I'm looking forward to growing Games Market Europe into the continent's de facto games exhibition and showcase."

Andy Payne, of the Mastertronic Group, said: "The UK is the hub of the European games industry; it's vital we fly the flag and have the right event for business. I was impressed with the plans the team has and they have delivered on price, venue and timing.

"We will be at Games Market Europe and we will urge all of our partners and suppliers to support the event as we need to retain the leadership position in Europe within the UK."

Roger Bennett, ELSPA director general, said: "ELSPA believes it is essential to have a UK trade event for Europe. The plans for Games Market Europe are clearly designed to ensure just that."

Games Market Europe will have three booth sizes: 12 sqm, 24 sqm and 36 sqm with prices fixed for all three options. Trade visitor entry for Games Market Europe is free. UK and international visitor marketing commences over the next 10 days.

Games Market Europe will take place on August 31st and September 1st 2005, at the Business Design Centre, Islington, London, UK.