Exhibitor packages for UK Pavilion at E3 confirmed

Details of the exhibitor packages being offered to UK games companies in the E3 2005 "State of Play" UK Pavilion have been confirmed, with space in the ELSPA and TIGA backed pavilion already being rapidly filled up.

Three different levels of membership are being offered to companies interested in taking space at the show - a Gold package, which gives an air-conditioned meeting room; a Silver package, which gives a dedicated table in the main meeting area; and a Bronze package, which simply grants entry to the show.

In addition, all those participating in the Pavilion this year will be entered into the E3 show guide, invited to a special TIGA conference and to a pre-show consulate party. Game demo pods on the stand can also be booked, either independently or as part of a package.

"The chance to exhibit on a stand at E3 was never on the horizon for most UK companies until a couple of years ago," according to TIGA CEO Fred Hasson. "But the chance to test it by lost of companies as a group without committing too many resources has proved to be the catalyst needed to give the UK a prominent position at this important show."

The UK Pavilion was originally backed heavily by government bodies, but while they remain involved in the management of the pavilion, this year it will be self-sufficient commercially, being funded by the price of the packages.

"We are delighted with the support of UK Trade and Investment and DTI to this project," said ELSPA deputy director general Michael Rawlinson, "and to the British Council for taking care of the management. This can be a real burden to a small company and the pavilion enables UK companies to present a world beating image."

UK Trade and Investment is also currently involved in arranging two overseas missions of relevance to the games industry.

The Play UK Trade Mission to Japan, which takes place from the 29th of November to the 3rd of December this year, is being subsidised by the government body, and offers participants a unique networking and business opportunity in Tokyo, including a reception being hosted at the British Embassy in Tokyo.

Meanwhile, an overseas business visit to the CTIA Wireless IT and Entertainment expo in the USA in late October is being arranged by UKTI, and sponsored by Intellect, and is open to wireless technology and entertainment companies.

A further UKTI Play UK mission - this time to Korea, in early 2005 - is also in the planning stages at the moment.