Frank Sliwka to organise gamescom conference

Koelnmesse, the organisers of next year's gamescom event in Cologne, Germany, have announced an agreement with Global Games Media that will see former Leipziger Messe event director Frank Sliwka organise the developer conference.

Sliwka, 46, is CEO of Global Games Media, and left Leipzig after this year's Games Convention Asia in Singapore, and although no details were revealed on specific plans, he will also work on the "development, strategy and internationalisation of gamescom," according to a statement.

"We are delighted to be working with Frank Sliwka and Global Games Media," commented Oliver Kuhrt, MD of Koelnmesse. "Their choice of Cologne and their confidence in the new trade fair location show us that we are on the right track and can establish gamescom as Europe's trade fair and event highlight in a very short space of time."

And Sliwka added: "Cologne and gamescom offer the ideal conditions for all target groups in the global games industry. Games developers from around the world will be able to exchange ideas creatively and constructively at the developer conference, and thus influence the future of the games industry considerably."

The new show in Cologne next year follows a decision taken by German trade association BIU to move its backing away from Leipzig, which has been the home of the European show for a number of years, citing poor transport links and hotel capacity.

Currently Leipziger Messe has stated its intention to run a Games Convention event as normal.