Clarion Events closes US office

All activities handled by the suburban St Louis operation will be moved to London as part of the shake-up while Clarion also announced that Julian Graves has been appointed to the newly created UK post of Managing Director responsible for exhibitions.

Graves is the former Marketing and Commercial Director for ATE and is replacing Peter Rusbridge, who is leaving after 17 years to ‘pursue new avenues’. The organiser of London’s annual International Gaming Expo (IGE), Clarion stated that Graves’ association with IGE/ICEi and the associated ATEI and Betting Show dates back to 2000.

“There has been a major resizing of the industries that we serve and the restructuring process is essential for all businesses in order to remain competitive and healthy,” said Graves. “I worked alongside Peter for a number of years both at the British Amusement Catering Trade Association and Clarion. He has made a major contribution to the exhibitions and has decided that now is an opportune time to try something new.

“The Clarion Gaming exhibition team, expertly led by Emma Green, will focus exclusively on IGE/ICEi, ATEI and the Betting Show. These events represent global market leaders and, in spite of the difficult times, are performing extremely strongly.

“I look forward to responding vigorously to the challenges ahead and channelling the undoubted dedication and creativity of the organising and marketing teams to the benefit of all our exhibitors and visitors based in 140 jurisdictions worldwide.”

As part of the restructure, Clarion revealed that Mark Walker would continue to run its gaming conference business. It stated that conferences would now sit within a dedicated business unit in order to benefit from synergies while it is in the process of enhancing this team in order to continue delivering business-to-business events to the gaming industry.