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| Europe's New Games Fair, gamescom, Announced Europe's new trade fair and event highlight of the interactive game industry, gamescom, will celebrate its premiere. From 9 to 13 September 2009, Koelnmesse and the Federal Association of Interactive Entertainment Software (BIU) will be extending an invitation to the new European games platform for the international games community. At the same time, gamescom is much more than a just fair for trade and general visitors. It is also designed as an event and entertainment celebration throughout Cologne. Whether in the trade visitors area, in the general visitors halls, as part of the specialised or social fringe and regular events programme at the trade fairgrounds and the hotspots in the city: gamescom and its players will "Celebrate the Games", as the event motto goes. Oliver P. Kuhrt, Managing Director of Koelnmesse GmbH: "Along with our exhibitors we will bring the fascinating world of interactive games from the trade fairgrounds to the city and beyond the city limits. With gamescom's innovative concept we can have all target groups participating actively, ranging from the intensive players to the occasional players." Managing Director Kuhrt: "Leipzig announcement not surprising" Kuhrt is not surprised at the announcement of the Leipzig trade fair, which for its part will be hosting its own event next year: "It was to be expected that the Leipzig trade fair would try to keep the topic in its 2009 programme as well by announcing its date. But they will have to do it without the industry for the most part. The lead trade fair will take place in Cologne in 2009 and beyond." Games experts from trade and industry, purchasing and development as well as the fans of interactive entertainment will be offered a new level in terms of the event, entertainment and infotainment at the trade fair in Cologne. The industry's interest in gamescom is already quite extensive. Koelnmesse has already received more than 120 enquiries from companies, including almost all the market leaders. Oliver P. Kuhrt: "From Leipzig we are bringing the clear message that the games industry will be exhibiting in 2009 in Cologne at gamescom. We have met with broad approval, and the industry is looking forward to gathering in Cologne. Whatever happens in Germany in 2009 outside of Cologne cannot claim to represent this sector." In Cologne, the entire community of the interactive entertainment world with its players, products, ideas and goals are in the foreground. That's what the name gamescom stands for. The organisers' new conceptual ideas have the goal of offering the European games community a new trade fair and event home that will attract more international trade visitors to Cologne and will address all target groups in the dynamic industry. More compact trade visitors area The trade visitors area in Halls 4 and 5 at the Cologne exhibition centre is the new communication and trading platform for the international games industry. Designed as a compact unit, the area offers the participants from trade and industry, media and development optimal conditions that will allow them to enter into dialogue with one another. The integral component of gamescom guarantees short distances and a high quality venue thanks to their own parking spaces on the hall's roof, as well as lounge, service and catering areas, plus a roof terrace. Problem-free access to the general visitors area is also guaranteed via the boulevard leading to the Cologne exhibition centre. To open Cologne's gates to international commerce, the organisers of gamescom have consciously selected the early September date, whereby 9 September will be reserved for media and trade visitors. The international network of Koelnmesse with its 11 subsidiaries and more than 80 foreign representatives supports international sales and marketing in the respective language of the country, and thereby also supports internationalisation. Europe's new trade fair and event highlight will provide a plus in terms of an international atmosphere at the 2009 premiere with another new conceptual approach. A select partner country will present itself as part of an exclusive framework. Consequently, trade visitors will have the opportunity to get to know new markets, with new business segments, on business, cultural, structural and political levels. Networks can be developed and expanded. The partner country selected by Koelnmesse and the trade fair advisory board can also present itself in the general visitors area at gamescom. That way, it will have the opportunity to bring the active games community closer to international games cultures, markets and their players. Action and entertainment in the general visitors area The community of gamers will meet at gamescom in the new North Halls 6 to 9. The new games platform guarantees action and entertainment, both indoors as well as at Koelnmesse's outdoor area. Oliver P. Kuhrt: "The general visitors area at gamescom is the hotspot and starting point for action, events and entertainment. We are developing it at the moment piece by piece in dialogue with the games industry so that we can offer all target groups, from intensive players to occasional players to newcomers in terms of PC and video games, an optimal programme at the premiere, both at and beyond the trade fairgrounds. In doing so, new conceptual approaches will ensure that the event character can be perceived by all target groups." Fringe events programme The fringe events and regular events programme at gamescom will surely be the highlight of the new trade fair and event platform, in addition to the happenings in the trade visitors area and the general visitors halls. A specialised developer conference as well as sessions, talks and rounds of discussion regarding current games topics, not to mention fun sports, action and chill-out offerings, will take place at the Koelnmesse exhibition centre and beyond in the city. Currently, numerous requests and concept ideas for the widest range of comprehensive event and entertainment offerings are being developed in close consultation with city officials. Games & media Media and games are merging more and more. Against that backdrop, Cologne as a media centre offers ideal conditions in future for a new type of entertainment experience related to the world of interactive entertainment. Therefore, national and international media partners are one more important cornerstone for gamescom in Cologne. For instance, RTL will soon be located in gamescom's immediate neighbourhood. Likewise, Westdeutsche Rundfunk (WDR) is based in Cologne. gamescom will communicate the basic notion of "Celebrate the Games" through these TV, print and radio cooperative partnerships, currently being planned. write your comments about the article :: © 2008 Game News :: home page |