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07 Sep 2017
Clarion to launch the biggest think tank in gaming
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Clarion, which organisers many of the industry’s most successful business events including ICE, iGaming Super Show, Affiliate Conferences, EiG and Juegos Miami, has pledged to create the biggest think tank of advisors and 'critical friends’ in the history of gaming. Clarion’s target is to enlist the services of 1,000 industry professionals from throughout the world of gaming to help guide the development of its brands and to ensure they continue to serve the needs of the industry. The progressive initiative, which Clarion has branded Ampersand’, will comprise a representative cross-section of industry verticals, jurisdictions, job functions and channels. Ampersand will be unveiled at WrB London, which takes place 12 September with Clarion aiming to achieve its target membership by ICE 2018 (6 8 February).
Explaining the thinking and purpose of what is believed to be a first, not only for the gaming sector but also for the broader events industry, Clarion Gaming, Managing Director, Kate Chambers said: We thrive on working with the industry and producing events that will deliver opportunity and facilitate business for our stakeholders wherever they are based throughout the world.
I envisage Ampersand working on a number of levels. It will enable us to validate ideas and concepts prior to launch, it will introduce a process and structure for customers to provide their feedback both positive and negative - and it will enable the industry to make suggestions on how we can work more effectively to help in the development of sustainable gaming economies, particularly in emergent markets. We are always keen to explore new formats favoured by the industry and to receive suggestions for great new speakers and Ampersand will provide swift and direct access to the decision making process. It delivers a valuable opportunity to help shape event content.
She added: This is the first major initiative that we have put in place following our acquisition by Blackstone, one of the world’s leading investment firms. Looking ahead, I am extremely confident that we will continue to develop new opportunities for the sector, guided and assisted by the insight of what will be the industry’s largest ever think tank.
Industry professionals who agree to participate in Ampersand will receive a number of benefits in recognition of their time, including entry to the dedicated Ampersand Lounge at the flagship ICE event, as well as access to intelligence reports and surveys produced by the team at Clarion Gaming.
ENDS
Blackstone:
Blackstone is one of the world’s leading investment firms. We seek to create positive economic impact and long-term value for our investors, the companies in which we invest, and the communities in which we work. We do this by using extraordinary people and flexible capital to help companies solve problems. Our asset management businesses, with over $370 billion in assets under management, include investment vehicles focused on private equity, real estate, public debt and equity, non-investment grade credit, real assets and secondary funds, all on a global basis. Further information is available at www.blackstone.com. Follow Blackstone on Twitter @Blackstone.
Clarion Gaming:
Clarion occupies a unique position in gaming, providing the full range of services to the global industry, including exhibitions, conferences, and technical training as well digital and print information. Clarion's gaming brands are delivered globally and attract more than 50,000 customers annually in locations spanning every continent. ICE Totally Gaming is the world’s largest gaming technology exhibition. In 2017 the audited attendance of 30,213 - a record for the event - was drawn from 151 jurisdictions and sovereign states. Clarion also organise the world renowned iGaming events, EiG (Berlin) GiGse (San Francisco) and iGaming Super Show (Amsterdam), as well as the established World Regulatory Briefings and Gaming Congresses in Brazil and Japan. Delivering multi-level training for gaming professionals since 2007, the Totally Gaming Academy has firmly positioned itself as the leader in gaming training across online and land based platforms and now offers training in casino management, online gaming, sports betting and anti-money laundering. TotallyGaming.com is the online community for the industry and iGaming Business is the dominant print publication in the sector.
Explaining the thinking and purpose of what is believed to be a first, not only for the gaming sector but also for the broader events industry, Clarion Gaming, Managing Director, Kate Chambers said: We thrive on working with the industry and producing events that will deliver opportunity and facilitate business for our stakeholders wherever they are based throughout the world.
I envisage Ampersand working on a number of levels. It will enable us to validate ideas and concepts prior to launch, it will introduce a process and structure for customers to provide their feedback both positive and negative - and it will enable the industry to make suggestions on how we can work more effectively to help in the development of sustainable gaming economies, particularly in emergent markets. We are always keen to explore new formats favoured by the industry and to receive suggestions for great new speakers and Ampersand will provide swift and direct access to the decision making process. It delivers a valuable opportunity to help shape event content.
She added: This is the first major initiative that we have put in place following our acquisition by Blackstone, one of the world’s leading investment firms. Looking ahead, I am extremely confident that we will continue to develop new opportunities for the sector, guided and assisted by the insight of what will be the industry’s largest ever think tank.
Industry professionals who agree to participate in Ampersand will receive a number of benefits in recognition of their time, including entry to the dedicated Ampersand Lounge at the flagship ICE event, as well as access to intelligence reports and surveys produced by the team at Clarion Gaming.
ENDS
Blackstone:
Blackstone is one of the world’s leading investment firms. We seek to create positive economic impact and long-term value for our investors, the companies in which we invest, and the communities in which we work. We do this by using extraordinary people and flexible capital to help companies solve problems. Our asset management businesses, with over $370 billion in assets under management, include investment vehicles focused on private equity, real estate, public debt and equity, non-investment grade credit, real assets and secondary funds, all on a global basis. Further information is available at www.blackstone.com. Follow Blackstone on Twitter @Blackstone.
Clarion Gaming:
Clarion occupies a unique position in gaming, providing the full range of services to the global industry, including exhibitions, conferences, and technical training as well digital and print information. Clarion's gaming brands are delivered globally and attract more than 50,000 customers annually in locations spanning every continent. ICE Totally Gaming is the world’s largest gaming technology exhibition. In 2017 the audited attendance of 30,213 - a record for the event - was drawn from 151 jurisdictions and sovereign states. Clarion also organise the world renowned iGaming events, EiG (Berlin) GiGse (San Francisco) and iGaming Super Show (Amsterdam), as well as the established World Regulatory Briefings and Gaming Congresses in Brazil and Japan. Delivering multi-level training for gaming professionals since 2007, the Totally Gaming Academy has firmly positioned itself as the leader in gaming training across online and land based platforms and now offers training in casino management, online gaming, sports betting and anti-money laundering. TotallyGaming.com is the online community for the industry and iGaming Business is the dominant print publication in the sector.