ESA Hosts Interactive Innovation Conference in Las Vegas

The inaugural Interactive Innovation Conference, or iicon, will take place in Las Vegas at the end of April 2026. The Entertainment Software Association's event will bring together leaders from industries related to interactive entertainment.

The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has announced the Interactive Innovation Conference (iicon), an event designed to bring together visionaries, thought leaders and innovators from industries that intersect with interactive entertainment, including film, television and music, as well as sports, healthcare, education, finance and more. It will take place from 27-30 April 2026 at the Fontainebleau Resort in Las Vegas. Attendees will have access to keynotes, discussions, workshops and networking opportunities. The event is by invitation only. Interested attendees and sponsors can pre-register and sign up here.

"For decades, video games have been at the forefront of technological and cultural innovation," said Stanley Pierre-Louis, president and CEO, ESA. "With iicon, we are creating a space for visionaries across industries to come together, connect and reimagine what's possible through interactive entertainment."

Executives 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 have confirmed their attendance.

"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 Doug Bowser, Chairman of the Board, ESA. "iicon is bringing together changemakers from across industries to envision how the strengths of the interactive entertainment industry can break entirely new ground."

"The games industry is constantly evolving, and the intersection with other disciplines is more pronounced than ever before," said Christoph Hartmann, Vice President, Amazon Games. "iicon will bring together some of the brightest minds from the games industry to navigate present challenges and harness the opportunities ahead. Amazon Games is proud to contribute to this new endeavor."

"Take-Two Interactive is a long-standing member and proud supporter of ESA," said Strauss Zelnick, Chairman and CEO of Take-Two Interactive. "iicon represents the ongoing evolution of the interactive entertainment industry and its irrefutable ascendance as the most beloved art form and cultural influence in the world today. We look forward to participating in this event and convening with a broad array of stakeholders to further what we believe to be one of the strongest periods in our industry's history."

"Video games push the boundaries of technology and creativity, extending far beyond entertainment," said Laurent Detoc, Chief Direct-to-Player Officer, Ubisoft. "We look forward to iicon bringing together visionary leaders from the industry and beyond to shape the future impact of games."

"At Xbox, our mission is to bring the joy of gaming to players anywhere they want, while creating opportunities for the amazing creators behind them," said Sarah Bond, President, Xbox. "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. Together, we will collaborate, invent and create – and together we will all grow."

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