ESA: E3 2010 Hits 45,600 Attendees, 2011 Event Dated

Los Angeles-based video gaming extravaganza E3 saw 45,600 attendees from around the world during the course of this week, organizers at the Entertainment Software Association said on its closing day Thursday. The final tally is right in line with the ESA’s pre-show estimates, which were for around 45,000 industry attendees, including analysts, game journalists, retailers and game developers and publishers. E3 2010 hosted around 300 exhibitors, ESA said. At its biggest, E3, first held in 1995, hosted 70,000 attendees in 2005 before the ESA took measures to create more restrictions on who is able to attend the industry-only conference. The ESA also confirmed dates for E3 2011, which will take place at the L.A. Convention Center once again from June 7-9. ESA CEO Michael Gallagher said in a statement, “We are thrilled by the positive news generated by this year's show, and we are looking forward to building on this great momentum for 2011." Disney Interactive Studios EVP and general manager Graham Hopper added, “With retail participation up 20 percent, strong international media attendance, partnered with a dynamic show floor environment, E3 Expo has affirmed its status as the cornerstone event for our global video game business."