Game Convention expands for 2006, adds trade-only day

The organisers of Europe's largest videogames trade and consumer show, Game Convention, have announced that exhibitor registrations are running at their highest level ever - with a number of new initiatives set boost the show even further.

The event, which runs from August 23rd to 27th in the German city of Leipzig, is set to meet demand from exhibitors by expanding its floor space some six per cent to 85,000 square metres - while the business meeting area at the show is nearing full capacity already.

Game Convention's organisers are hoping that this year's event will build on the success of last year's, which attracted some 134,000 people to see products from 280 exhibitors, with a number of new initiatives being launched to attract both trade and consumers to Leipzig.

For trade and press, there will now be a business only day at the show on August 23rd, a scheme similar to the hugely popular trade-only first day of the Tokyo Games Show which should allow journalists and industry professionals to try out new products and meet in a more relaxed environment.

Then on August 24th, the show will open to the public - with a variety of events including world and European game premieres planned over the course of the show, which will also open late on Saturday until 8pm this year.

GC 2006 is particularly trying to attract families to the show, and is promising a host of activities and areas dedicated to family and children's entertainment - as well as a discounted ticket for parents accompanying their children.

"We're extremely happy with this interim result four months before the event begins," event director Angela Schierholz commented this week. "It confirms our position as the industry's leading event in Europe."

GC 2006 will also this year play host to the Game Convention Developers' Conference, GCDC, which will run before the show opens to the public on August 21st to 23rd. The event will run tracks in development, business and science, and is expecting hundreds of delegates and speakers from around the world. Registrations are now open for GCDC at www.gcdc-germany.com.