Chancellor Merkel is opening gamescom for the first time
Chancellor Dr. Angela Merkel will open gamescom, the world’s largest event for computer and video games, for the first time on Tuesday, 22 August 2017 in Cologne. This was announced today jointly by Koelnmesse, organiser of gamescom, and the German Trade Association of Interactive Entertainment Software (BIU) as gamescom sponsor.
“We consider it a great honour and a sign of recognition that Chancellor Dr. Angela Merkel will this year participate in the opening tour of gamescom”, says Felix Falk, Managing Director of the German Trade Association of Interactive Entertainment Software (BIU). “The visit of Dr. Merkel underlines the importance of the games industry for the cultural, digital and business location of Germany. Whether virtual reality, gamification or 3D simulations: the technologies of the games industry already play a central role in the digitalisation and networking of the economy and society. Germany needs a strong games industry in order to also secure itself a top position in the digitalised economy.”
The agreement to attend was also received very positively by the organiser of gamescom, Koelnmesse GmbH: “The participation of the Chancellor is a sign of great appreciation for us”, says Gerald Böse, President and Chief Executive Officer of Koelnmesse GmbH. “With her visit she honours the development of gamescom into one of the most successful and largest events in the German trade fair system. gamescom is today the world’s largest event for computer and video games. She emphasises the position of Koelnmesse as one of the leading trade fair organisers worldwide in the digital media and entertainment segment.”
gamescom is the world’s largest event for computer and video games and Europe’s most important business platform for the games industry. Last year, 345,000 visitors from 97 countries came to Cologne to inform themselves about the highlights and trends of the 877 exhibiting companies from 54 countries. Together with the gamescom city festival in the Cologne city centre, gamescom moved more than a half a million people to and within the Rhine metropolis.
Related: Ticket Sales for gamescom Congress 2017 Begin
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