Tuesday, September 13, 2011
          7:30 am - 1:00 pm

The video game industry continues to attract the hearts and minds and pocketbooks of today’s consumer. There is no doubt that video games have become a significant part of mainstream entertainment.

But…what will the future hold? What are the obstacles to future success or more importantly what are the great opportunities that still exist in this dynamic industry.

The EMA Executive Forum at GPS is a component of the EMA GamePlan Summit and is scheduled to take place prior to the opening of the 2011 EMA GamePlan Summit on September 13, 2011 from 7:30 am – 1:00 pm. Every major retailer, related supplier and publisher is invited to participate in this half day event which will most certainly be characterized as the “don’t miss event” of the year.  With input from key retailers, major publishers, manufacturers and related industry leaders, join in on the discussion with some of the industry’s great minds as we discuss the state of the industry, its trends, obstacles and opportunities for the future.

The Executive Forum at GPS is no ordinary conference. Don’t expect to just sit around and be preached to! This is your conference. Participants and industry experts will interact throughout the day, to help all clear a course to the future. There has never been anything like the EMA Executive Forum at GPS.

Registration for the EMA Executive Forum at GPS is included in your GamePlan Summit All Access badge. We look forward to seeing you there!

PROGRAM SCHEDULE FINAL

Executive Forum at GamePlan Summit – September 13 – 8:00am – 1:00pm
A Look at Where We Are and Where We’re Going

Developed with input from key retailers, publishers, manufacturers and related industry leaders, the Executive Forum is a half-day interactive conference that analyzes the current state of the video game industry and examines the challenges and opportunities over the next 3-5 years

Facilitated by the research firm The NPD Group, their industry experts will guide the day’s program with their latest research findings which set the stage for key insights and dynamic discussions.

Most importantly, the Forum is designed as an opportunity for all attendees to join in the discussion and share ideas.  The research presentations and panel discussions serve to get the conversations started for all in attendance

Forum Schedule
Location:         Crystal Ballroom

7:00am                       
Breakfast

8:00am 
Welcome - Bo Andersen – EMA President & CEO and Bob Geistman, EMA Chairman and SVP of Sales and Marketing, Ingram Entertainment

8:15am           
NPD Sets the Stage with Dave McQuillan

Today, gaming spans a world that extends beyond the dominant physical retail sales. Digital distribution is fundamentally changing the way content developers, publishers, and retailers connect with and deliver to consumers. Now more than ever it’s important to track and analyze the changes and trends in consumer spending on games. As President of NPD’s Games group, Dave will provide an overview of the day’s events and detail its format in looking ahead at the industry as it models itself through 2015.

(continued next column)

8:30am           
Keynote address – Jim Greer
Achieving Community: Connecting Gamers Online

Co-Founder and CEO of GameStop’s Kongregate, Jim Greer discusses who
comprises the Kongregate community, how Kongregate brings games to life, the future of online gaming and how it fits in the overall menu of game consumption.  He’ll also share “lessons learned”.

8:50am           
The Latest Research Findings from NPD’s Russ Crupnick and Anita Frazier

This session will focus on trends and expert analysis for games and the broader entertainment market, with an emphasis on the ways growing digital distribution models are changing the industry landscape.

9:30am                       
Group Discussion

9:45am           
“Game Battles: The Changing Face of Selling and Marketing Games to Consumers

” Marketing strategist Perrin Kaplan talks with company leaders as they discuss the paradigm shift in introducing and marketing games to consumers. How do publishers work with retailers to keep brick and mortar as the first stop for shopping? What role does digital marketing and its prowess play?  Come hear about the complex nature of this ever changing beast in the powerful world of gaming from front line leaders. Panelists include Microsoft’s Pat Pudas, Deep Silver’s Geoff Mulligan, Glenn Drover with PopCap Games, Lexy Franklin from Striiv and Ken Simon of Wild Tangent.

10:30am         
Group Discussion

11:00am         
“The Changing Face of Retailing Video Games”

NPD’s Patrick Kuhnell talks with game retailers from all sectors about what excites them most about packaged goods, what opportunities they see for physical and digital to complement one another, and what initiatives the industry must undertake over the next two years to assure growth. Panelists include Mike Davis with Ingram Entertainment, MikeGimlett of GameFly, Joel Resnik with Redbox and John Marmaduke of Hastings Entertainment

12:00pm         
Wrap-up Group Discussion and the “Take Aways”

12:15pm         
Lunch and GPS Awards

1:00 pm
GamePlan Summit Opens