Clarion Gaming's team visits Fira Barcelona exhibition center to gain insights for first ICE in Spain

Clarion Gaming has completed its latest step in a program of orientation visits to gain insights into the Fira Barcelona Gran Via exhibition center ahead of ICE and iGB Affiliate's relocation to Spain starting next year. The orientation program launched in October 2023.

In its most recent activity, the organizing team responsible for delivering the first editions of the gaming events at Gran Via Barcelona participated in the 2,400 exhibitor Mobile World Congress (MWC), as the international showpiece event celebrated its 18th year at the venue.

The orientation initiative provided an opportunity for the Clarion team, together with a number of clients, to experience how Gran Via Barcelona delivers what is "the largest and most influential event" for the connectivity ecosystem attracting mobile operators, device manufacturers, technology providers, vendors and content owners.

Explaining the purpose of the initiative, Clarion Gaming Managing Director Stuart Hunter said: "Mobile World Congress re-located to the Gran Via Barcelona in 2006 at a time when it was of a similar size to the current ICE and iGB Affiliate."

"Since then, it has developed and grown to occupy over 220,000 gross square meters of space across the eight inter-connected halls in what is one of the largest and most modern venues in Europe."

Clarion Gaming Managing Director Stuart Hunter

Like ICE/iGB Affiliate, MWC brings together thousands of senior executives from global companies, international regulators and tech businesses to network, make policy decisions and plot out the future of the industry.

"Set against this shared backdrop, it was invaluable for the team to gain 'behind the scenes' insight as to how the MWC brand maximizes the huge opportunities provided by the venue's interconnected spaces and in the process delivers a rich vein of connections and opportunities for its stakeholders."

He added: "In addition to the specific operational issues relating to the venue, the team was also able to replicate the visitor experience, including the travel infrastructure which connects the Fira Gran Via to Barcelona's El Prat International Airport (12 km distance) and the historic city center (3km), courtesy of the integrated metro station."

"We look forward to continuing our series of orientation events throughout the year and involving all of our stakeholder community."

ICE/iGBA 2025 will use circa 120,000 gross sqm of The Gran Via (ICE 2024 utilized 100,000 gross sqm in London) across Halls 1 (iGB Affiliate) and 2-6 (ICE). An additional 160,000 sqm has been reserved exclusively for ICE/iGBA across the five-year tenancy. The Convention Centre, which is located in Hall 8, comprises a modular and versatile space with seating for between 3,000 and 12,000 people.