ESA Names Los Angeles to Host E3 Through 2015

The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) today announced that The Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) will remain in Los Angeles for the next three years -- a decision that was hoped for but in question as of early June, when the ESA announced that the event might not return to LA next year.

Speaking to the L.A. Times, ESA President Michael Gallagher explained that E3 may move locations next year if the city can not come to an agreement over plans to remodel the L.A. Convention Center, activities that would potentially interfere with the event.

While it would not be the first time that the event was relocated -- it was held in Atlanta, Georgia in 1997, and was moved to Santa Monica in 2007 -- but traditionally the LA Convention Center is considered to be its home base by the industry to the extent that many of the larger game studios and publishers own office space and houses in the LA area specifically for use during E3 week.

It was widely hoped by games journalist that the ESA and the City of Los Angeles would resolve the outstanding issue, because in addition to the unique requirements for the annual trade show that features as The Place to announce and unveil new games for the upcoming gaming season, the process of obtaining hotel rooms and transportation for the event by games journalists is usually taken care of years in advance.

In addition to confirming that the event would indeed be held in LA, it was also confirmed that the dates for E3 2013 would be June 11-13, 2013, and would include its primary presence at the Los Angeles Convention Center and L.A. LIVE, with additional official events being held at a plethora of venues throughout downtown Los Angeles and the City during E3 week.

"We are proud to partner with Los Angeles for another three years. The City serves as a strong backdrop for the video game industry's biggest announcements and we look forward to remaining in LA," said Michael D. Gallagher, CEO of the ESA, which represents U.S. video game industry. "Video games are a dominant force in the global entertainment marketplace and there is no better place to display that than Los Angeles. We look forward to continuing our relationship with the City and AEG."

In 2012, E3 brought 45,700 video game industry professionals, investor analysts, journalists and retailers from 103 countries together for a three day industry trade show that generated $40 million in revenue for Los Angeles.

"The City of Los Angeles is thrilled to welcome E3 back for another three years," said Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. "My office was committed to doing whatever it took to keep the largest annual conference that the City hosts here for another three years. I personally joined in the negotiations, and we worked with all parties to ensure the needs of E3 would be met. The City is grateful the Entertainment Software Association continues to view LA, the entertainment capital of the world, as the ideal location for the world's premiere video game convention."

The three-year agreement with Los Angeles also ensures E3 will continue as scheduled alongside AEG's plans for downtown Los Angeles, including development of the new Farmer's Field.

"ESA's commitment to remain in Los Angeles is a critical endorsement of Los Angeles as one of the nation's most important convention destinations," said Timothy J. Leiweke, president & CEO, AEG. "Working with ESA to provide the confidence in scheduling they have requested has truly been a collaborative effort. We are also grateful to ESA for their thoughtful input into the design plans which will result in the most efficient and modern facilities that will not only benefit E3 but all of the new conventions that will come to Los Angeles. On behalf of our City and AEG, thank you ESA, we won't let you down."

For their part the ESA was magnanimous once it was confirmed that the plans to upgrade and expand the facilities would not directly interfere with E3 2013:

"ESA supports AEG's mission and vision for downtown Los Angeles and the areas surrounding the Los Angeles Convention Center," Gallagher said. "We appreciate AEG's willingness to work in partnership with our organization to not only create a construction schedule to accommodate the needs of our guests but also their commitment to incorporate many of our suggestions into the design of the new venues. These resulting upgrades to the facility will truly benefit all conventions and further establish Los Angeles as industry leaders. We are glad we could come to an agreement that keeps E3 in its traditional home."

The Electronic Entertainment Expo is widely viewed as the ultimate event of the year each year, and would be attended by every gamer who could manage to get to it if that were allowed, but while E3 is the largest single expo for the gaming industry, it is also the largest single private expo for that industry, being open only to ESA members and non-members who are affiliated with companies involved in console, PC, online, and social and mobile game publishing and development. E3 is also open to qualified business partners, as well as makers of video game hardware and peripherals, and qualified games journalists.

Gaming Update covers E3 each year, providing our readers with on-the-spot coverage and gathering information and attending briefings and demo's so that we can continue provide coverage as new games get closer to their release dates.