Trade-backed games expo leaving Leipzig in 2009

Germany is to host a new national trade show in 2009 – as the territory’s trade body BIU switches allegiances from Leipzig’s Game Convention to a new expo in Cologne.

The news comes after a strong rumour of the move arose in the German national press last month.

Game Convention owner Leipzig Messe has told MCV that it has retained the Game Convention logo and rights, leaving the new Cologne show GAMESCom the tough task of creating its own identity.

The BIU has announced they will support another trade fair association,” Leipzig Messe MD Klaus Ernst told MCV.

The first step for us is to have a successful show in 2008. It’s fair to say the BIU won’t support both of these shows in 2009.”

The GAMEScom name was created by Koelnmesse in 2003.