The launch will take the form of a networking buffet comprising hosted round tables and will be held on Wednesday 13 April at the ICC Capital Suite (12.45 – 14.30 hours). The ASCEND programme will help mentees working across the entire gaming ecosystem to enhance their leadership skills, gain confidence and network with other like-minded women.

iGB Portfolio Director Naomi Barton, who will be responsible for driving the initiative explained: "In order to be meaningful and effective ASCEND has to reflect the real needs of women in the industry. The intention is to use the launch event to listen to the experiences of women working in gaming, and in the process ensure that we are addressing the issues that matter to them and that will help unlock the next steps in their career paths.

"To achieve that core objective the launch will feature selected 'hosts' who are established in the sector and have experienced the issues and challenges: the hosts will moderate and generate conversation at the tables over and informal lunch around what ASCEND should be aiming to do for women in the industry."

Looking beyond the launch she added: "The intention is to create an ASCEND Board of female founder members, supported by an Advisory Board which will help to shape our terms of reference. We have at our disposal some really powerful routes to market and will promote iGB ASCEND throughout the year via Clarion Gaming's numerous engagement channels comprising events, digital and print in order to provide content, insight, networking, learning and support.

"ASCEND is a really exciting and progressive initiative which with the right support has the potential to deliver meaningful change and help women throughout the gaming ecosystem to achieve their full potential. Women wanting to attend the iGB ASCEND launch taking place on Wednesday 13 April at ExCeL London should contact me at naomi.barton@clarionevents.com."

ASCEND is part of a packed programme of off the show floor activities. The iGB Affiliate London conference programme features sessions dedicated to business-centric issues including the 2022 Fifa World Cup, Geo/Vertical market segmentation, SEO Disasters, Social Media Branding and Design, International Digital Marketing and Localisation, Mobile Marketing in the US, Responsible Gambling, Best Practice, App Store Optimisation, Casino Live-Streaming and a panel session dedicated to the development of the affiliate sector in the United States. The prestigious iGB Affiliate Awards (Wednesday 13 April) will recognise the most outstanding brands and stand-out personalities active in the igaming affiliate space competing across a total of 14 categories. The black tie awards ceremony, comprising a three-course sit-down dinner and entertainment-packed After Party, is being held at the Troxy, a Grade 11-listed Art Deco music venue in bohemian east London.

iGB Affiliate London (13 – 14 April) connects affiliates to a 360-degree experience of igaming via networking and business lead-generation opportunities, content and learning. To register visit:https://london.igbaffiliate.com ICE London (12-14 April 2022, ExCeL London) is the biggest b2b gambling industry event in the world and features games creators, distributors, operators, retailers, trade associations, strategic bodies and regulators. To register visit: www.icelondon.uk.com. For more information on the ICE VOX Conference (11 – 13 April), incorporating the World Regulatory Briefing and the International Casino Conference visit: https://www.icelondon.uk.com/ice-vox