Koelnmesse GmbH, and BIU – the German Trade Association of Interactive Entertainment Software – and the Government of Canada are pleased to announce their partnership for gamescom 2017.
Canada is the official partner country of gamescom 2017 (22 to 26 August). Koelnmesse GmbH and the German Trade Association of Interactive Entertainment Software (BIU) have won one of the world’s leading developer locations for computer and video games for gamescom 2017. As gamescom’s official Partner Country, Canada represents the international exhibitor community in Cologne from 22 to 26 August at the world’s largest event for computer and video games. Exhibit space, along with numerous business services, networking events and promotional opportunities will be available to Canadian companies – under the umbrella of Canada’s Trade Commissioner Service. A special Canadian Pavilion will be organized by the Government of Canada, through the Consulate of Canada in Munich, in collaboration with other provincial and industry partners.
As partner country, Canadian creators will be front and center at this key international trade fair. A centralized Canadian presence at gamescom will feature strong branding and messaging for Canada’s gaming industry and unique cultural contribution. This is being undertaken with the objective of increasing industry and media focus on Canada’s vibrant gaming industry and leading-edge capabilities – particularly timely for Canada’s 150 celebrations.
“We are very pleased to have been able to win Canada as the official partner for gamescom 2017. Canada contributes to the internationalisation strategy of gamescom as a partner country. Furthermore, Canada, as one of the most important producer of games in the world, is the perfect thematic fit for gamescom 2017 given the new developer focused sister event “devcom” (20 to 24 August). Considering Canada’s cutting edge industry, it is a real boon for gamescom and its accompanying events and congresses to have Canada as this year’s Partner Country “, Katharina C. Hamma, Chief Operating Officer of Koelnmesse explains.
“It is hard to imagine a better gamescom 2017 Partner Country than Canada. It is in this country that we can clearly see what positive developments are possible when the potential of computer and video games is recognised and the establishment of games development studios is comprehensively supported. The rise of Canada to become one of the world’s most important and successful locations for the games economy logically follows. With a view to the difficult basic conditions for games developers in Germany, Canada is also a good example of intelligent promotion and the enormous economic potential of the games industry against the background of the upcoming German federal election”, explains Felix Falk, managing director of the German Federal Association of Entertainment Software (BIU), sponsor of gamescom.
The Honorable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage noted that “the Government of Canada is delighted to be featured as partner country at gamescom 2017. The Canadian gaming and entertainment-software industry is already successful and is rapidly growing in a competitive global marketplace, thanks to a strong talent base at home. We are committed to further positioning Canada as a digital media investment destination. I am confident that this exciting opportunity will help Canadian artists and creative entrepreneurs maximize their trade and export potential, enhance their competitive position on the international stage, and contribute to Canada’s overall economic and social prosperity.”
In terms of total production, Canada’s video gaming industry ranks third behind only the U.S and Japan, and according to the Entertainment Software Association of Canada (ESAC), contributes over $3.0 billion annually to Canada’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Games account for over 36,500 jobs generated within the Canadian economy and there are over 472 active studios in Canada, 143 of which are new since 2013. In 2015, Canada was the second most successful development location on the German games market, directly behind the USA.
Related: gamescom “The Heart of Gaming” is Starting 2017 with Versatility, Liveliness and Color
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