Think Services' Game Developers Conference Europe to Serve as Flagship Developer Event at 2009 gamescom
GDC Organizer Think Services Has Acquired the Business of Global
Games Media; Frank Sliwka to Serve as VP of European Business
Development and Event Director for GDC Europe
SAN FRANCISCO/PRNewswire/ -- Think Services will present
the Game Developers Conference (GDC) Europe in 2009 in conjunction with
gamescom, the leading game industry European event for consumers,
publishers, and trade professionals. GDC organizer Think Services, a
division of United Business Media, has recently acquired the business
of Global Games Media (GGM), an organization specializing in marketing
and business development as well as event management for the
international interactive entertainment industry. Frank Sliwka, who had
recently joined GGM as CEO coming from Leiziger Messe where he worked
as a national and international advisor and conference director for the
GC Developers Conference (GCDC), will join the Think Services Game
Group as Vice President of European Business Development and Event
Director, GDC Europe. Sliwka will lead the event, bringing with him
years of game industry conference and event management experience. GDC
Europe will take place August 17-19, 2009 in Cologne, Germany.
"We are thrilled to present GDC Europe during gamescom," Kathy
Schoback, Executive Vice President, Global Events, Think Services,
said. "A world class game developer event belongs at the premier
European game industry event. With the support of Koelnmesse, BIU (the
German Trade Association of Interactive Entertainment Software), and
the City of Cologne, Europe's most significant games gathering will
definitely be a great success, and we couldn't be more excited to have
Frank Sliwka bring his deep experience to helping deliver GDC Europe."
"We are pleased to welcome the European development community to GDC
Europe during gamescom," noted Oliver P. Kuhrt, Executive Vice
President of Koelnmesse GmbH. "The team in charge of GDC Europe, Think
Services and Frank Sliwka, are professionals who are renowned for
organizing internationally respected developer events and who have deep
industry experience, strong networking connections, and know how."
GDC will bring to Europe its renowned conference content quality and
its access to the industry leaders driving innovation in games across
the globe, in an effort to engender learning, networking and
inspiration. Presenting GDC Europe at gamescom, the leading European
consumer and industry show, will allow the conference to address the
development community at a central location in the heart of Europe
which will command the critical mass of the European games sector. The
new arrangement will also enjoy the advantage of a local leadership
that truly understands the needs of its market as well as the ability
to navigate the region and offer a stage to present the largest
professionals-only event in Europe.
More information on GDC Europe will be unveiled soon. In the meantime, please refer to http://www.gdceurope.com/.
About Think Services and the Think Services Game Group
A core provider of essential information to the professional game
industry, the Think Services Game Group offers market-defining content,
and drives community through its award winning lineup of print, online,
event and research products and services. These include Game Developer
Magazine, Game Developer Research, the Webby Award-winning
Gamasutra.com, GameCareerGuide.com, WorldsInMotion.biz,
GameSetWatch.com, the Game Developers Conference, the Austin Game
Developers Conference, GDC Canada, the Game Career Seminars, the
Independent Games Festival and Summit, and the Game Developers Choice
Awards. For more information, please visit http://www.tsgamegroup.com/.
Think Services connects specialized communities worldwide using
innovative media, educational events, consulting, training and
certification. Providing comprehensive opportunities for people to
learn from, network with, and inspire each other, Think Services builds
strong brands and works within communities to foster a unique affinity
with its products and services. The division's flagship products
include the Game Developers Conference, the Webby Award-winning
Gamasutra.com, Game Developer magazine, the International Customer
Management Institute, and HDI. Think Services is a subsidiary of United
Business Media, a global media and marketing services company with a
market capitalization of more than $1.6 billion. To learn more, visit http://www.think-services.com/.
About gamescom
From 19 to 23 August 2009, Europe's trade fair and event highlight
of the interactive game industry, gamescom, will take place in Cologne
(Germany). Koelnmesse and the German Trade Association of Interactive
Entertainment Software (BIU), the ideal sponsor of the event, will be
extending an invitation to the new European games platform for the
international games community. Gamescom is much more than a just fair
for trade and general visitors, it is also designed as an event and
entertainment celebration throughout Cologne. The trade visitors area
in Halls 4 and 5 at the Cologne exhibition centre is the new
communication and trading platform for the international games
industry. The community of gamers will meet at gamescom in the new
North Halls 6 to 9. The new games platform guarantees action and
entertainment, both indoors as well as at Koelnmesse's outdoor area.
The GDC Europe will be the highlight of the programme surrounding the
new trade fair and event platform gamescom. To learn more, visit http://www.gamescom-cologne.com/
Source: Think Services Game Group
CONTACT: Sibel Sunar of fortyseven communications, +1-323-658-1200,
sibel@fortyseven.com, for Think Services Game Group
Web site:
http://www.gdceurope.com/
http://www.tsgamegroup.com/
http://www.think-services.com/
http://www.gamescom-cologne.com/
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