E3 Organizers Set to Launch Invite-Only Event in Las Vegas

February 7, 2025

After officially announcing the once glorious E3 Show dead in December 2023, the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has unveiled the launch of the Interactive Innovation Conference (iicon), an invitation-only event designed to bring together visionaries, thought leaders, and innovators across industries that intersect with interactive entertainment.

Set to take place April 27-30, 2026, at the Fontainebleau Resort in Las Vegas, iicon hopes to capitalize on the global video game industry that is set to surpass $300 billion in projected revenue by 2027, according to a statement released yesterday.

With this new event, ESA said attendees will gain exclusive access to visionary keynotes, engaging discussions and workshops, and elite networking opportunities with executives shaping the future of entertainment, business, and technology. Organizers promise to bring together a broad spectrum of sectors that converge with interactive entertainment, including film, television and music, as well as sports, healthcare, education, finance, and more.

Context: ESA has served as an advocate for the U.S. video game industry since it was founded in 1994. Its members are creators, publishers, and business leaders in the video game industry. The first E3 was held in May 1995 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. At its height, E3 attracted nearly 70,000 attendees to its event in 2018. It’s last in-person event was held in 2019, but ESA had planned to resurrect the in-person trade and consumer show in June 2023 with the help of ReedPOP, a division of public company RX that produces B2C shows like New York Comic, PAX Unplugged and C2E2 (Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo).

e3 2017 — *Scenes from E3 2017 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. At its height, E3 attracted nearly 70,000 attendees to its event in 2018. Photo: Danica Tormohlen*

What they’re saying: "For decades, video games have been at the forefront of technological and cultural innovation," said Stanley Pierre-Louis, who has served as ESA president and CEO since May 2019. "With iicon, we are creating a space for visionaries across industries to come together, connect and reimagine what's possible through interactive entertainment."

Deeper dive: "The Entertainment Software Association and its member companies are among the innovators and leaders shaping the future of culture, business, and human connection. It's a natural role for ESA to host and support an event that fosters an open exchange of new ideas with our peer industry leaders," said ESA Chairman of the Board Doug Bowser, who is president and CEO at Nintendo of America. "iicon is bringing together changemakers from across industries to envision how the strengths of the interactive entertainment industry can break entirely new ground."

Need to know: Attendees will learn from and engage with industry icons, including leaders from Amazon Games, Disney, Electronic Arts, Epic Games, Microsoft, Nintendo of America, Sony Interactive Entertainment, Square Enix, Take-Two Interactive, Ubisoft, and Warner Bros. Games.

doug bowser — *ESA Chairman of the Board Doug Bowser, who is president and CEO at Nintendo of America*

What exhibitors are saying: Executives from some of the video game industry's leading companies expressed enthusiasm for iicon as a key opportunity to drive innovation and foster collaboration across sectors. "We appreciate the ESA establishing iicon as a platform to deepen connections among executives and thought leaders from within gaming, and from a wide range of partner industries,” said Sarah Bond, president, Xbox. “Together, we will collaborate, invent and create–and together we will all grow."

Main image: Entrance to Fontainebleau Resort in Las Vegas. Photo: Shutterstock

Add new comment

Partner Voices

HERE, EVENTS HELP YOUR COMPANY AND THE COMMUNITY

MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy. Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is on track to spend at least 15% of its biddable procurement with diverse-owned businesses by 2025, demonstrating that supplier diversity is not only a social responsibility but also a strategic business imperative. Supplier diversity isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s good for business. A diverse supply chain allows access to a broader range of perspectives and experience, helping to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience, while strengthening communities. At MGM Resorts, engaging diverse suppliers ensures best-in-class experiences for guests and clients. Supplier diversity ensures a more resilient supply chain while supporting economic development in the communities in which it operates. The impact of MGM Resorts' supplier diversity initiatives is significant. In 2023, these efforts supported over 3,500 jobs across more than 30 states, contributed over $214 million in income for diverse-owned businesses and generated more than $62 million in tax revenue. The story extends beyond the numbers – it reflects the tangible benefits brought to small and diverse-owned businesses, fostering economic empowerment in their communities. MGM Resorts also supports the development and business skills of diverse-owned businesses through investment, mentorship and education. Through the MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program, the company identifies, mentors and develops diverse-owned businesses to fill its future pipeline, while providing businesses with tools and resources to empower and uplift. Since 2017, the program has successfully graduated 105 diverse-owned businesses and is on track to achieve its goal of 150 graduates by 2025. MGM Resorts’ commitment to supplier diversity not only enhances its business operations but also plays a crucial role in uplifting communities and fostering economic development. This approach reinforces the idea that diversity is a powerful driver of innovation and resilience, benefiting both the company and the wider community.

Learn More