Clarion Gaming announces record attendance numbers for EiG

PRESS RELEASE -- Clarion Gaming has announced record attendance numbers at the European i-Gaming Congress & Expo, which took place in Barcelona, Spain, last week.

A total number of 1,544 delegates attended through a variety of registration channels, which contributed to the 28 percent growth on last year and reflected the expansion and renewed vigour created within the I-gaming industry. Keynote speakers Pete Picton and David Kushner both addressed the audience and shared ideas on online marketing strategies, building communities and mobilising customers as brand advocates.

Many delegates commented on how successful this year's show had been, including their surprise at the ratio of hands shown during the opening plenary session when asked by Sue Schneider, "Who here is new to EiG?" "After being at EiG 2008, I can say the growth of the industry is reflected in the attendance; and the major issues were all covered," said Gigi Levi, chief executive of 888 Holdings, in a prepared statement. "It's always a pleasure and experience to speak there."

Petter Nylander, chief executive of Unibet was also impressed by this year's conference.

"As usual EiG had a great buzz about it with the sessions lively and informative. It is definitely a show to attend year on year," he said.

The Operator C.E.O. panel was for many delegates the highlight of the event, with six spirited industry leaders taking questions from the audience on topics such as forecasts, the merging of operators and suppliers, and whether differentiation is the key to stop brand dilution.

"If you only go to one online gaming conference a year, this is the one to attend," said Malcolm Graham of PKR, who served on the C.E.O panel.

A new addition to the conference timetable was the EiG LaunchPad session, which excited even the longest serving I-gaming veterans, who were impressed with the innovation and entrepreneurship presented by each start-up company.

"We are extremely proud of EiG as an event and working so closely with all the best companies within I-gaming produces Clarion Gaming's world class programmes as exemplified by EiG," said Mark Walker, conference manager for Clarion Gaming. "The whole team enjoyed speaking to delegates and industry supporters during the conference, and we look forward to developing a fresh and even more innovative EiG 2009."