ECA and AGEM applaud new Association Assembly feature at ICE Barcelona expo

The European Casino Association (ECA) and the Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers (AGEM) have welcomed the creation of the first-ever ICE Association Assembly, a new feature at ICE Barcelona 2025 that will bring together influential gaming trade associations from across the globe.

Set to be held in January at Barcelona’s Gran Via Fira, the ICE Association Assembly will occupy expanded space at the event, providing a dedicated area for trade bodies to engage directly with industry stakeholders and promote their values across sectors.

The Barcelona venue offers an additional 20,000 square meters compared to ICE 2024 in London, allowing for trade bodies like the Brussels-based ECA and the Las Vegas-headquartered Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers AGEM to better promote their interests.

Erwin Van Lambaart, Chair of the Brussels-based ECA, highlighted the significance of the new platform: “Our members are already planning their week in Barcelona and they will be at this historic edition of ICE in great numbers. ICE is a pivotal event for the global gaming community, and having a show floor feature that will enable us to engage directly with all sectors is a unique opportunity.”

Van Lambaart added that ICE 2025 marks a milestone for the ECA’s involvement: “Traditionally, our association's involvement at ICE and its Conference program has primarily centered around networking and product development orientation—connecting with our members, regulators, suppliers, and fellow trade bodies.

"For the first time, the ECA will have the chance to fully interface with the global industry supply chain in its entirety. We are looking forward to this unique opportunity to articulate our vision for the future to a diverse and comprehensive audience, where innovation, responsibility, and significant partnerships for guest and customer centricity will take center stage.”

Daron Dorsey, CEO of Las Vegas-based AGEM, underscored the Assembly’s potential for connecting global brands with a broader audience. “We represent the interests of our gaming suppliers whose well-known brands are global in reach, so to be given the opportunity to explain our agenda and engage with what is a truly international audience of association colleagues on the ICE show floor is invaluable,” he said.

The January editions of ICE and iGB Affiliate Barcelona will see increased exhibitor presence, with 72% of the event’s 25 largest exhibitors expanding their displays. The expanded ICE event underscores the strategic importance of the relocation to Barcelona, attracting a comprehensive network of gaming professionals and promoting cross-industry collaboration on an unprecedented scale.