The Entertainment Software Association has announced the return of an event known as the Interactive Innovation Conference (iicon), replacing its previous flagship conference, E3. The new event will take place in Las Vegas between April 27th-30th, 2026, connecting visionaries and thought leaders from various industries within interactive entertainment.
The iicon aims to bring together a broad spectrum of sectors, including film, television, music, sports, healthcare, education, and finance, as well as major companies like Nintendo, Electronic Arts, Epic Games, and Disney. Attendees can expect to learn from industry icons and engage with the strengths of the interactive entertainment industry.
According to ESA Chairman Doug Bowser, iicon is a natural role for the organization to host and support an event that fosters open exchange of new ideas among peer industry leaders. The iicon will be a premier summit for discovering new opportunities powered by the industry and its technology.
While the announcement comes as a surprise, it’s unclear how successful the new event will be in replacing E3. Industry experts have expressed skepticism about the ESA’s ability to run a successful event after the decline of E3. The iicon has sparked debate among gaming enthusiasts, with some hailing it as an opportunity and others criticizing its name and potential impact on the industry.
The event is still in its development phase, and more details can be found on the iicon website.
Source: https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/02/e3s-entertainment-software-association-returns-with-a-new-industry-event