GC to expand further after biggest ever show

Munich, Cologne, Frankfurt and Hamburg are all in the running to take Games Convention a step further in 2009 after last week’s biggest ever event in Leipzig.

While event organiser Leipziger Messe has confirmed that the show will be back in Leipzig next year, the race is on for other major German cities to host the expo – potentially bumping up attendance figures to the 300,000 mark.

A huge UK contingent backed last week’s show, as Sony revealed new PSP and PS3 initiatives.

We prefer to make our big statements in Leipzig, it suits us much better,” SCEE president David Reeves told MCV at E3. Leipzig is great for facilities and for meetings. It’s a great consumer show and industry-wise everyone is there apart from the Italians. After you’ve done something on this scale in Germany, you realise why it’s so difficult to get a plumber in the UK,” he added.

But despite glowing praise from many attendees, the smart money is on an even bigger and better show in a different city from 2009.

Munich, Cologne, Hamburg and Frankfurt will have official bids for the show in 2009,” said Marius Hopp, editor-in-chief of German industry magazine IGM.

If the show was held in Munich or Cologne, there’s the potential to get 300,000 visitors.”

But a show spokesperson remained defiant after the biggest ever Games Convention: The show was good and everyone was so happy that I think that debate has ended for now. It will take place in Leipzig again next year, for sure.”