GDC Europe 2009
Think Services and gamescom team up for Cologne conference; Frank Sliwka to head up.
San Francisco – December 1, 2008 – Think Services will present the Game Developers Conference (GDC) Europe in 2009 in conjunction with gamescom, the leading game industry European event for consumers, publishers, and trade professionals. GDC organizer Think Services, a division of United Business Media, has recently acquired the business of Global Games Media (GGM), an organization specializing in marketing and business development as well as event management for the international interactive entertainment industry. Frank Sliwka, who had recently joined GGM as CEO coming from Leiziger Messe where he worked as a national and international advisor and conference director for the GC Developers Conference (GCDC), will join the Think Services Game Group as Vice President of European Business Development and Event Director, GDC Europe. Sliwka will lead the event, bringing with him years of game industry conference and event management experience. GDC Europe will take place August 17-19, 2009 in Cologne, Germany.
“We are thrilled to present GDC Europe during gamescom,” Kathy Schoback, Executive Vice President, Global Events, Think Services, said. “A world class game developer event belongs at the premier European game industry event. With the support of Koelnmesse, BIU (the German Trade Association of Interactive Entertainment Software), and the City of Cologne, Europe’s most significant games gathering will definitely be a great success, and we couldn’t be more excited to have Frank Sliwka bring his deep experience to helping deliver GDC Europe.”
"We are pleased to welcome the European development community to GDC Europe during gamescom,” noted Oliver P. Kuhrt, Executive Vice President of Koelnmesse GmbH. “The team in charge of GDC Europe, Think Services and Frank Sliwka, are professionals who are renowned for organizing internationally respected developer events and who have deep industry experience, strong networking connections, and know how.”
GDC will bring to Europe its renowned conference content quality and its access to the industry leaders driving innovation in games across the globe, in an effort to engender learning, networking and inspiration. Presenting GDC Europe at gamescom, the leading European consumer and industry show, will allow the conference to address the development community at a central location in the heart of Europe which will command the critical mass of the European games sector. The new arrangement will also enjoy the advantage of a local leadership that truly understands the needs of its market as well as the ability to navigate the region and offer a stage to present the largest professionals-only event in Europe.
More information on GDC Europe will be unveiled soon. In the meantime, please refer to www.gdceurope.com.
About Think Services and the Think Services Game Group
A core provider of essential information to the professional game industry, the Think Services Game Group offers market-defining content, and drives community through its award winning lineup of print, online, event and research products and services. These include Game Developer Magazine, Game Developer Research, the Webby Award-winning Gamasutra.com, GameCareerGuide.com, WorldsInMotion.biz, GameSetWatch.com, the Game Developers Conference, the Austin Game Developers Conference, GDC Canada, the Game Career Seminars, the Independent Games Festival and Summit, and the Game Developers Choice Awards. For more information, please visit www.tsgamegroup.com.
Think Services connects specialized communities worldwide using innovative media, educational events, consulting, training and certification. Providing comprehensive opportunities for people to learn from, network with, and inspire each other, Think Services builds strong brands and works within communities to foster a unique affinity with its products and services. The division's flagship products include the Game Developers Conference, the Webby Award-winning Gamasutra.com, Game Developer magazine, the International Customer Management Institute, and HDI. Think Services is a subsidiary of United Business Media, a global media and marketing services company with a market capitalization of more than $1.6 billion. To learn more, visit www.think-services.com.
About gamescom
From 19 to 23 August 2009, Europe's trade fair and event highlight of the interactive game industry, gamescom, will take place in Cologne (Germany). Koelnmesse and the German Trade Association of Interactive Entertainment Software (BIU), the ideal sponsor of the event, will be extending an invitation to the new European games platform for the international games community. 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. 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. 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. The GDC Europe will be the highlight of the programme surrounding the new trade fair and event platform gamescom. To learn more, visit www.gamescom-cologne.com