As of today, we’ve got over 860 people registered representing over 432 companies, governments, or other entities. And it’s a diverse crowd geographically with over 53 countries represented.

So, clearly, this will be an opportunity to learn, debate, view new products, network, get some business done, catch up with old friends, meet new ones and just have some fun. If you haven’t already registered, beat the rush on site and do it now….online at http://www.eigexpo.com/2008/index.cfm?page=register.

See you there.

Sue

One of the things I love most about our industry events is the chance to hear from industry leaders. That’s especially true when you add in a free-form format where the debate, disagreements and diatribes flow with the wind.

The 2008 EiG is offering a double-header of those sessions on the first day in Barcelona. We’ve got two sessions, one of operator CEOs and one for software suppliers. The line-up is as follows:

So as you can see, we’ve amassed the cream of the crop to give you their perspectives of where we are and where we’re headed as an industry. These are uncertain times in terms of the global economy and the gambling industry, particularly the land-based side, is now well aware of that. So we’ll get the take of these experts on how they hope their companies will fare in the coming years.

Operators Forum: Jim Ryan (PartyGaming), Norbert Teufelberger (bwin), Jez San (PKR), Mark Blandford (formerly SportingBet), Arthur Wang (Gigamedia), Gigi Levy (888)

Suppliers Forum: David Loveday (Orbis), Brian Hadfield (CryptoLogic), Mor Weizer (Playtech), Paul Mathews (WagerWorks), Martin Lerby (Ongame)

Without giving away their secrets, we also hope to hear what’s coming down the pike in terms of products and how we can hope to attract new players to this still emerging entertainment option. How do we keep the innovations coming so that products remain fresh and interesting for the up and coming young audience who’s been reared on high action, high visual games?

As we gear up for these discussions, let us know what you’d like to hear from these distinguished industry veterans. If you’ve got a question to get into the mix, email me at sue.schneider at clariongaming dot com.

I know it's not as common in Europe for women to play football, but I know there are some out there because I've seen them in person.  The first time we put this soccer tournament together was for the 2007 ICE event and each of the teams had at least one girl.  InterCasino, I'm looking at you! 

So, if you or some lovely lady you know is interested in playing, please email us to join in.  There's no skill level requirement, it's just for fun.  And trust me when I say there are perks beyond that of getting a bit of exercise!

The simple fact is that the definition changes as the industry changes.  I've been going to i-gaming conferences since the 2000 GIGSE and I can tell you that event had a heavy dose of jeans and Hawaiian shirt-wearing types and was a far cry from say, the 2007 EiG where suits were the fashion mainstay.  The industry has evolved and a side effect has been the influx of suits. 

Impromptu poll: If an event specifies dress as smart casual, would you don your Armani three piece or opt instead for your high-end jeans and dapper button-down?

Today's Daily Entertainment came in the form of a fur-covered, four-legged beast known as Dexter.  You may know Mark Balestra, our esteemed publisher of IGamingNews.com and the Internet Gambling Report and it is he that is responsible for bringing Dexter to the office almost daily. 

Dexter is named after a TV program of the same name that shows on Showtime in the US.  The program is about a homicide detective who moonlights as a serial killer in his free time (I know, interesting premise, right?) and the furry version lives up to his namesake.  There's not a fluffy stuffed animal or water dish that is safe from his sharp and menacing teeth.  Trash bins quiver in fear under his watchful gaze and vein hope of something edible being discarded within so he can pounce and spread the wrappings around the floor of the office.  Passersby look on in anxious anticipation of whether he'll bound over the rickety fence barring him from the outdoors and pounce on them, possibly tearing their throats out. 

I give you...Dexter:

He's vicious.  Vicious, I tell you!

But Clarion Gaming is just a name.  The feel of the show comes from the people behind it and we're all (mostly) still here.  There have been staff changes to be sure, but for the most part, it's the same core group of miscreants and misanthropes that have brought you the last six EiG's. 

On the serious side, this year's EiG is poised for some big-time growth.  We started planning, researching and selling the event over six months ago and the extra lead time has paid dividends in the form of: some of the most impressive speakers we've ever had, a nearly sold out exhibition 13 weeks out, and a raft of new features that are too numerous to list here.  Well, I could list them all here, but it's now 5:01 and it's Friday.  Plus, I'll need something to blog about next week.