Entertainment Software Association announces Interactive Innovation Conference 2026

The Entertainment Software Association has announced that the first Interactive Innovation Conference, or “iicon,” will take place from April 27 to 30, 2026 at Fontainebleau Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada.

iicon is an invitation-only event described designed to :connect visionaries, thought leaders and innovators from across industries to harness the power of interactive entertainment.” It will feature keynotes, discussions and workshops, and networking opportunities with executives shaping the future of entertainment, business, and technology. It promises to bring together a “broad spectrum of sectors” that converge with interactive entertainment, including film, television, music, sports, healthcare, education, and finance.

Confirmed exhibitors include Amazon Games, Disney, Electronic Arts, Epic Games, Microsoft, Nintendo, Sony Interactive Entertainment, Square Enix, Take-Two Interactive Software, Ubisoft, and Warner Bros. Games.

“For decades, video games have been at the forefront of technological and cultural innovation,” said Entertainment Software Association president and CEO Stanley Pierre-Louis in a press release. “With iicon, we are creating a space for visionaries across industries to come together, connect and reimagine what’s possible through interactive entertainment.”

Here are some comments from executive partners on the event:

Christoph Hartmann, Vice President, Amazon Games

“The games industry is constantly evolving, and the intersection with other disciplines is more pronounced than ever before. 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.”

John Heinecke, Chief Publishing Officer, Square Enix Americas, EMEA and ANZ

“Video games have been a major contributor to our global culture by blending entertainment, creating communities and pushing new technologies. 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.”

Strauss Zelnick, Chairman and CEO, Take-Two Interactive Software

“Take-Two Interactive is a long-standing member and proud supporter of ESA. 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.”

Laurent Detoc, Chief Direct-to-Player Officer, Ubisoft

“Video games push the boundaries of technology and creativity, extending far beyond entertainment. We look forward to iicon bringing together visionary leaders from the industry and beyond to shape the future impact of games.”

Sarah Bond, President, Microsoft Gaming

“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. 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.”