As most of you are aware the Living it Loving it (LILI) staff had a stand at the IGE show in Earls Court, London last week.  For those of you who aren't aware of this show, this is a massive gaming exhibition with every type of gaming related company you can think of being there.  Now, I could sum the show up in just three words . . . WHAT A SHOW . . . of course that would not be enough as you would be asking why?  With all the major players including Ongame Network, Microgaming and PartyPoker.com, this was a major event for the gaming and entertainment industry, so, of course, it was to be expected that the best would either have a stand or be a visitor.

Tuesday (the first day) started off slowly but by 2pm picked up dramatically with people from all over the world and UK visiting our stand.  We had already noted that we had an advantage as our company was one of a kind in the whole arena - no other entertainment and events company were exhibiting.  Dave Brannan and the team worked the stand meeting people who were interested in just one or all our products and by the end of the first day came away feeling rather positive about the next couple of days.

On Wednesday, the second day, I arrived at the show with the team, ready to talk to visitors as well as learn more about this very interesting and exciting industry which is loved worldwide.  If I'm honest, I didn't really know what to expect as I had never exhibited at a show like this before . . . all I did know is the money that was sat in that show was just amazing and the companies who had invested in exhibiting had their key staff working their stands to ensure that they got the most out of the event!

LILI took Masters Poker Experience, Play the Gamer, World Series of Poker, Crime Scene Nights and Poker in the Pub to the event totally unsure of the outcome.  We knew we had unique products and could do really well however, for our Managing Director, Dave Brannan, to be speechless at the fantastic deals sorted over the three days was quite a sight and something that the rest of the team thought was impossible!  Wednesday continued to be a great success with interesting conversations with networks, poker rooms and gaming companies.  Ben, our Social Networker, and James, our Events and Relationship Manager, were both going to the 'Fire and Ice' party held by Bluff Magazine in the evening and, judging by the way they looked on Thursday, it was a great success with lots of leads and two very "hungover" employees in need of coffee!

Thursday seemed to be a lot quieter but still a very productive day for our company as we met with some good media companies and bar managers.  It was quite funny to see directors of companies passing the stands saying "hi" to James in a very sheepish manner as if to say 'last night was good wasn't it . . .  well, from what I can remember anyway!'

Overall show was great for all of us . . . business deals were successful . . . we all came away having learnt something new . . . useful contacts and the whole experience was very overwhelming for us all.  The team thoroughly enjoyed all three days and can't wait to do it all again next year and who knows what's going to come next . . .