We are approaching the first ICE North America: what are you seeking to achieve and what can attendees look forward to?

The decision to consolidate our presence in the United States and broaden our remit to include the five verticals of Sports Betting, iGaming, Esports, iLottery and Affiliate Marketing was taken after close consultation with stakeholders active in North America who told us that there was a need for a professional and, most importantly, for a trusted platform to help drive the future of gaming across the continent.  As such, our vision is to ensure that the entire A-Z of the gaming ecosystem in North America will benefit from the reputation and influence of what is the world’s most successful gaming event brand.  ICE North America will enable gaming brands to establish a competitive advantage in what is a tremendously dynamic market full of opportunity.  The key task for every event organizer is to ensure that it gets the chemistry right.  What that means in practice is achieving the right combination of influential and expert speakers exploring issues and topics from every perspective.  This holistic approach also applies to the exhibition floor and ICE North America will showcase the industry’s most forward-thinking operators, developers and manufacturers.  There's a huge appetite for ICE North America from both the US and international gaming industries alike which is reflected in the roll call of commercial organizations that will have a presence in Boston.

What are the main issues to be treated at the conferences?

ICE North America will be taking place on the exact one year anniversary of the repeal of PASPA, so sports betting legalization and roll-out are really the main area of focus for the gambling sector in the USA.  Sports wagering will be taking the center stage during the debates and discussions at ICE VOX North America, the dedicated conference element of the event.  Sports wagering is also driving growth in other areas that are part of the event, such as iGaming, esports, affiliate marketing and iLottery.

What importance do you place on the quality of speakers that delegates will have access to?

Delegates invest a great amount of time attending the events organized by Clarion Gaming and it is our duty and obligation to deliver the very best market analysis and insight.  We have secured a host of C-Level decision makers or ‘MVPs’ who will be participating in ICE North America.  The line-up of ‘MVPs’ speaking at the event brings together a broad range of decision makers and thought leaders including Jason Sondag, Senior Director, Strategy & Analytics, Chicago Cubs; Jeff Gerttula, EVP and General Manager, CBS Sports Digital; Adam Grossman, CMO, Red Sox; Keith Wachtel, Chief Revenue Officer, NHL; Rodney Butler, Chairman, Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Council; Chris Halpin, Chief Strategy and Growth Officer, NFL; Jason Robins, CEO, DraftKings; Adam Davis, Chief Revenue Officer, Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment; Kenny Gersh, EVP, Gaming & New Business Ventures, Major League Baseball (MLB), and Scott Warfield, Managing Director, Gaming, NASCAR.  It’s a fantastic line-up and one befitting the size of the opportunity which Wayne Kimmel, Managing Partner at venture capital platform, SeventySix Capital described as being ‘America’s biggest tech boom in 20 years.’  In very straightforward terms, the calibre and status of contributors is of critical importance for our delegates.  Our speaker list reflects the dynamic nature of the marketplace and delegates can look forward to being part of impassioned and robust debates.  

You have also secured the services of one of sports living legends?

Every ICE branded event has something very special about it and which distinguishes it from the competition.  In addition to being the only event that brings together those five key verticals that we’ve highlighted, I am delighted and honoured to confirm that legendary sports icon, Olympic champion, prominent television personality and philanthropist, Sugar Ray Leonard, will be part of the ICE North America celebration.  Sugar Ray Leonard has established a legacy that epitomizes boxing and invokes the reverence of a champion.  The first boxer to win world titles in five different weight classes, Sugar Ray Leonard is one of the most famous sports personalities in the world and it is fitting that he will be providing insight into his celebrated career alongside the MVPs of sports betting and interactive gaming.

ICE North America, May 13-15, Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, MA, USA

To find out more about ICE North America, go to: www.icenorthamerica.com