ELSPA, the Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association, today announced the first tranche of high-level speakers for the conference program at the industry-facing European Games Network (EGN) trade show, taking place at London ExCeL September 1st – 3rd, 2004. Gerhard Florin, senior VP and managing director European publishing at Electronic Arts has confirmed that he will be making the opening keynote address on day two of the event. The first day will be opened by a keynote looking forward to the next decade in interactive entertainment from the president of the US trade body ESA, Doug Lowenstein.

Designed to present a broad range of topics covering all levels of the pan-European computer and video games business, the EGN conference program will tackle key issues including a look into future trends, changing market demographics, creating compelling marketing campaigns in today’s competitive market, adding value and other detailed sessions.

The conference program is uniquely designed for EGN, dovetailing with the event’s online meeting planner service, allowing delegates to ‘dip in and dip out’ of the conference program as part of their own personalized EGN program.

Tamsin Aspinall, ELSPA business development director and conference program organizer, said: "EGN is for people in the business of games and individuals of the caliber of Gerhard Florin and Doug Lowenstein demonstrate the level of influence the conference program will bring to delegates. It is a reflection of the positive reaction of the industry worldwide to EGN and provides a solid platform on which to build a high quality and, more importantly, highly relevant conference program."

EGN event director Kirsty Adams, added: "The Meeting Planner facility enables delegates to select conference program sessions ahead of EGN. This system means our visitors will be able to get the most out of their time, ensuring we can deliver a professional environment for people whose time is at a premium."

European Games Network, the industry facing event for everyone in the business of games, takes place at London ExCeL September 1st – 3rd, alongside newly announced creative-focused event, European Developers’ Forum: The Interactive Entertainment Conference. These two trade events run side by side with major consumer show, Game Stars Live, September 1st – 5th, 2004.

EGN has already confirmed attendees from over 300 companies from 30 plus territories around the world, including Electronic Arts, Atari, Eidos, Activision, Vivendi Universal, Nokia N-Gage, UbiSoft, Microsoft, Gizmondo, Acclaim, Empire, Amazon, Square Europe, Leader, Koch Media, Just Flight, Buena Vista Games, Capcom, Konami, Codemasters, Rockstar, Sony Computer Entertainment, Vodafone, Future Publishing, Centresoft, GAME, Gamestation, Gem Distribution, 20:20 Games, Dixons, WH Smiths, Woolworths, Toys ‘R’ Us, Blitz Games, Pinnacle, Kuju, Sony DADC, Rebellion, Elixir Studios, Swordfish Studios, IOMO, Argonaut, Bigben Interactive, Distinctive Development, Zoo Digital, Hip Interactive Europe, and many more.