EMA launches GamePlan Summit in 2010
PHYSICAL: Conference brings together videogame retailers, publishers
By Susanne Ault -- Video Business, 9/25/2009
SEPT. 25 | PHYSICAL: The Entertainment Merchants Assn. will launch a new conference, GamePlan Summit, next year in Chicago.
Running Sept. 21-23, 2010, at the city’s Hyatt Regency, the event hopes to gather major videogame retailers and publishers into one spot for business meetings and networking.
“EMA member retailers came to us noting that, while there are excellent events for videogame consumers, developers and the media, there is no event that brings together the leading videogame retailers and publishers for strategically focused business-to-business meetings, and they asked us to fill that void,” said EMA president and CEO Bo Andersen. “The GamePlan Summit will bring all the major players under one roof so attendees can conduct their business meetings efficiently and build meaningful partnerships for the future.”
EMA has already won approval for its GamePlan Summit from member retailers Toys ‘R’ Us and Target.
“We are very excited about the opportunity that the GamePlan Summit presents for retailers to meet with publishers to review business objectives and shared goals,” said Bill Lee, EMA secretary and VP of divisional merchandise manager at Toys ‘R’ Us. “This new forum for candid exchange with strategic partners in the videogame industry should prove highly productive for all who attend.”
Troy Peterson, senior buyer of interactive entertainment at Target Corp. and chair of EMA’s Game Retailing Council, added, “Industry retailers are rallying around the need for a strategic planning session with our publisher partners. And we anticipate all of them will be at this fall event along with every major publisher. Key retail members of the EMA Game Retailing Council have clearly stated that they want this type of event, and the Council has worked closely with EMA staff to develop this event to meet the needs of its retail members.”
For more information, visit the event’s Web site at www.GamePlanSummit.com.
