Last month, the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) announced new event that promises to connect business leaders and senior executives from the games industry with other industries with the hope of exploring revenue, partnerships, and growth opportunities. The Interactive Innovation Conference (iicon) will showcase the influence of games and games technolgies on fiance, retail, media, healthcare, professional sports, and beyond. The inaural gathering is set to take place this weekend, April 27-29 in Las Vegas.
Attendees will be provided with exclusive access to visonary keynotes, engaging discussions and workshops, and elite networking opportunities with executives shaping the future of entertainment, business, and technology.
“Interactive entertainment now influences how companies across the economy think about technology, storytelling, and engagement,” said Stanley Pierre-Louis, president and CEO of The Entertainment Software Association. “With iicon, the decision makers in our industry can connect directly with innovators in industries like sports, finance, and media. This is the only event that will bring together this level of cross-industry leadership to explore how interactive entertainment drives revenue, grows audiences, and builds brand loyalty.”
Attendees will get the opportunity to engage with industry icons, including leaders from Amazon Games, Disney, Electronic Arts, Epic Games, Microsoft, Nintendo of America, Sony Interactive Entertainment, Square Enix, Take-Two Interactive, Ubisoft and Warner Bros. Games. There will also be additional speakers from organizations like Major League Baseball, the NHLPA, WWE, American Red Cross, The New York Times, and Yahoo, demonstrating the successful business impacts of games regardless of industry.
Executive leaders from some of the video game industry’s leading companies expressed their enthusiasm for iicon as a key opportunity to drive innovation and foster collaboration across sectors.
“The games industry is constantly evolving, and the intersection with other disciplines is more pronounced than ever before,” said Christoph Hartmann, Vice President, Amazon Games. “iicon will bring together some of the brightest minds from the games industry to navigate present challenges and harness the opportunities ahead. Amazon Games is proud to contribute to this new endeavor.”
“Video games have been a major contributor to our global culture by blending entertainment, creating communities and pushing new technologies,” said John Heinecke, Chief Publishing Officer, Square Enix Americas, EMEA and ANZ. “iicon will be an incredible forum where business leaders and innovators can join forces to celebrate our industry’s achievements and to build the future of entertainment together.”
“Take-Two Interactive is a long-standing member and proud supporter of ESA,” said Strauss Zelnick, Chairman and CEO of Take-Two Interactive. “iicon represents the ongoing evolution of the interactive entertainment industry and its irrefutable ascendance as the most beloved art form and cultural influence in the world today. We look forward to participating in this event and convening with a broad array of stakeholders to further what we believe to be one of the strongest periods in our industry’s history.”
“Video games push the boundaries of technology and creativity, extending far beyond entertainment,” said Laurent Detoc, Chief Direct-to-Player Officer, Ubisoft. “We look forward to iicon bringing together visionary leaders from the industry and beyond to shape the future impact of games.”