Two weeks ago, Cxmmunity attended the iicon conference (Interactive Innovation Conference) in Las Vegas at the Fontainebleau Resort. Hosted by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), the event is an invite-only gathering of the most senior decision-makers in gaming. The ESA is most notably known for creating and operating the long-missed E3 conference.
CEOs and brand executives from Capcom, Riot Games, Bandai Namco, Activision, Netflix, Adidas, and Mastercard were all in attendance for the three day conference. The conference was not focused on game announcements or industry hype, but instead focused on the people that decide which communities get invested in and how the billions of dollars moving through this industry actually flow.
The conversations and decisions made in rooms like this are about partnerships, IP, brand investment, and live experiences. These conversations and decisions eventually become what you see, play, and experience as a fan and creator. The culture you love doesn't just happen. It gets built and is carefully curated. Sometimes built or broken by conversations most people never hear about.
One of the core reasons Cxmmunity exists is to be present in these spaces. Our presence is not just for business, but to make sure our communities are part of the conversation even when they're not physically in the building. Every connection made at iicon feeds back into what CXM brings to you through The Kickback Tour, HBCU Innovation Labs, the creator network, and partnerships.
Start paying attention to the business of gaming and interactive media. Follow the ESA and similar organizations that are hosting business facing conferences like the Crunchyroll Anime Future Forum.
Learn what the companies behind your favorite games are actually doing. The more informed our community is about how this industry works, the more power we have to demand better from it and eventually lead it.
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