Entertainment Software Association Unveils iicon, Game-Changing Thought Leader Summit to Harness the Power of Interactive Entertainment and Shape the Future of Business and Culture

Taking place April 27–30, 2026 in Las Vegas, the Interactive Innovation Conference is set to be an essential convening for changemakers across industries

WASHINGTON, Feb. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) today announced the launch of the Interactive Innovation Conference (iicon), a first-of-its-kind event designed to connect visionaries, thought leaders and innovators from across industries to harness the power of interactive entertainment.

Taking place April 27-30, 2026 at the Fontainebleau Resort in Las Vegas, attendees will gain exclusive access to visionary keynotes, engaging discussions and workshops, and elite networking opportunities with executives shaping the future of entertainment, business and technology. iicon promises to bring together a broad spectrum of sectors that converge with interactive entertainment, including film, television and music, as well as sports, healthcare, education, finance and more.

"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."

"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."

Attendees will learn from and engage with industry icons, including leaders 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. As the global video game industry is set to surpass $300 billion in projected revenue by 2027, iicon will be the premier summit for discovering new opportunities powered by the industry and its technology.

Executive leaders from some of the video game industry's leading companies expressed enthusiasm for iicon as a key opportunity to drive innovation and foster collaboration across sectors.

"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."

"Video games have been a major contributor to our global culture by blending entertainment, creating communities and pushing new technologies," said John Heinecke, Chief Publishing Officer, Square Enix Americas, EMEA and ANZ. "iicon will be an incredible forum where business leaders and innovators can join forces to celebrate our industry's achievements and to build the future of entertainment together."

"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."

Event Details

• Dates: April 27-30, 2026
• Location: Fontainebleau Resort Las Vegas
• Audience: By invitation only. iicon is tailored for visionaries, thought leaders and innovators across industries that intersect with interactive entertainment.

Interested attendees and sponsors can pre-register and sign up for updates at iicon.com. Stay tuned for more details about speakers, programming, event access and other ways to engage with iicon.

About iicon
The Interactive Innovation Conference (iicon) from the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) explores the transformative potential of video games and interactive entertainment across industries. Bringing together visionaries, thought leaders and innovators, iicon offers exclusive insights, strategic connections and forward-looking discussions to shape the future of business, technology and human connections. Learn more at iicon.com. Follow along @iiconofficial on LinkedIn, X, YouTube and Twitch, and join the conversation at #iicon2026. 

About the Entertainment Software Association
Founded in 1994, the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has served as the voice and advocate for the U.S. video game industry for more than 30 years. Its members are the innovators, creators, publishers and business leaders that are reimagining entertainment and transforming how we interact, learn, connect and play. The ESA works to expand and protect the dynamic marketplace for video games through innovative and engaging initiatives that showcase the positive impact of video games on people, culture and the economy to secure a vibrant future for the industry for decades to come. For more information, visit the ESA's website or follow the ESA on X @theESA or Instagram @theesaofficial.

SOURCE Entertainment Software Association