IDG Confirms Consumer Event, To Manage E3Expo

Media company IDG (GamePro Magazine) has both confirmed a previously reported consumer game event, to take place Oct. 18-20, 2007, at the Los Angeles Convention Center, and announced that it is managing the biz-focused E3Expo Business Summit for the ESA. According to an IDG News Service story about the announcement, major differentiating factors for the October 2007 consumer event, which is as yet unnamed, include the fact that exhibitors will be allowed to sell games on the show floor. A ticket will likely cost about US$100 for three days, "according to current plans", and the company is currently holding a competition to determine the name of the event at its GamePro website, suggesting that the initially rumored 'GamePro Expo' is likely not the final name. In addition, the report reveals: "IDG World Expo said it’s been awarded a contract by the ESA to manage the E3Expo Media and Business Summit, the business-focused event being planned by the ESA for July 2007 to take the place of E3." The hiring by IDG of Mary Dolaher, formerly event czar for E3, is believed to be one of the prime reasons behind this decision, and it's been revealed that the E3 Media Summit even will host about 3,000 people at seven hotels in Santa Monica, as well as a space for larger events at the nearby Barker Hanger.