ICE London ends with more esports; Day 2 delivers ICE VOX wrap-up, inclusion, diversity and awards

2022-04-14

United Kingdom

Reading time 2:21 min

ICE London on Wednesday saw positive attendance levels again, boosted by the return of iGB Affiliate London, which also runs through Thursday along with ICE, and the launch of a new mentorship initiative.

The last day of ICE VOX offered four well-attended masterclasses, centered around vertical integration and full product portfolio operation; strategies to build a blockbuster slot; managing crime and fraud risk in the esports landscape, and a LatAm masterclass, titled "The operational, strategic and regulatory 'musts' of doing business in LatAm."

In addition, inclusion and diversity had a large room on Wednesday as part of the ESG and D&I day, organized by KPMG and the Clarion Gaming team behind the iGB Most Influential Women in Gaming, with gaming sessions celebrating the growing industry diversity with previous winners and nominees along with environmental social and governance professionals. Speakers included Brett Abarbanel, Director of Research, UNLV International Gaming Institute; Grainne Hurst, Director, Corporate Affairs, Entain; Anna Sainsbury, Co-Founder & CEO, GeoComply, among others.

Tina Thakor-Rankin, Co-founder of All-In-Diversity presented a stark look at how the gaming industry is failing to meet the new culture emanating from GenZ. "93% of GenZ says that a company’s impact on society affects their decision on whether they will work for that company,” she said.

Since the pandemic, everyone is now looking for flexibility in their work and a certain amount of work-life balance, but for generation Z this isn’t more important than the ethics of a company. “Generation Z want flexibility and they want to work from home. They want career progression. But, equally important is employer ethics, diversity and inclusion in the workplace, and social impact. Those are your new workers. We are on the cusp of Web 3.0, Metaverse, Blended Reality. Your products are going to have to embrace all of that,” Thakor-Rankin said.

Led by iGB Portfolio Director Naomi Barton, ASCEND was launched Wednesday as a new mentorship initiative created to provide a network of support as well as guidance on personal and professional development. The launch saw a networking buffet comprising hosted round tables. The ASCEND program will help mentees working across the entire gaming ecosystem to enhance their leadership skills, gain confidence and network with other like-minded women.

As for the expanded ICE London Esports Arena, the Allied Esports' Hyper X Esports Truck ("Big Betty") hosted a unique esports tournament pitching the public online against the Apex Legends team.

Also, the expanded Consumer Protection Zone (CPZ) on Wednesday hosted a session on raising industry standards through collaboration, investment and research with panellists from the Responsible Gaming Council, Gordon Moody, Casino Guru, Gamcare and Clifton Davies Consultancy Limited.

ICE Landmark Awards 2022 ceremony was also held on Wednesday. This year's awards categories are 14 and comprise Affiliate Employer of the Year; Best Affiliate Manager; Best Affiliate Program; Best Bingo Affiliate; Best Casino Affiliate; Best Sports Betting Affiliate; Best Tech Affiliate; Best Tech: Affiliate Program; Best Digital Agency; Game of the Year (Public Vote); Innovation Award; Marketing Campaign of the Year; Best Newcomer and Rising Star.

Agenda for Day 3, Thursday, April 14

Ampersand networking / Assembly (Open to Ampersand members only)
Pitch ICE theatre, N7-460
10 am – 1.30 pm
Apex Legends Final
Esports Arena, S4 - 152
10 am to 2 pm
iGB Closing networking drinks (Open)
The Fox @ Excel
6 pm – 8 pm