Leipzig GC to expand for 2007

This year's Leipzig Games Convention is set to be the biggest event yet, with more exhibitors, more floor space and longer opening hours than ever before.

Around 390 exhibitors are expected to attend, compared to 368 last year, and the show area will increase by 28 per cent to cover 115,000 square meters. For the first time, the space outside the Leipzig Messe convention centre will be used as part of the event.

The exhibition halls will be open from 9am to 6pm on Thursday August 23 and Sunday 26, and from 9am to 8pm on the Friday and Saturday. Halls will also be open exclusively to members of the games industry and media on August 22.

"The GC has grown steadily in recent years, both in its area and in exhibitor and visitor numbers," said Leipziger Messe managing director Josef Rahmen.

"The current level of trade visitor and exhibitor registrations confirms our assumption that we will achieve considerable increases again at the next fair. We have responded to this with a change in our hall concept."

The Leipzig GC Developers Conference will run prior to the consumer show from August 20 - 22. This year GCDC will focus on topics such as mobile gaming, server technology and the growth of the European games industry, and new initiatives are planned for 2007.

"The specialisation of GCDC is consistently subject to development," said project director Frank Sliwka.

"This means that this year for the first time, the conference offers extended business solutions such as workshops and concepts on start-up opportunities on the European and North American market."

To register for Leipzig GCDC, visit the official website.