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 www.gdceurope.com.