UNLV and ICE Barcelona Announce Industry-First Academic Partnership
ICE Barcelona, the global gaming industry’s flagship business exhibition, has entered a formal partnership with the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
This marks one of the first structured collaborations between a leading academic institution and a major international gaming event.
The agreement brings together ICE Barcelona and UNLV’s William F. Harrah College of Hospitality, a globally recognised centre for hospitality and gaming education. Under the partnership, students from the Harrah College will be invited to participate directly in ICE Barcelona, gaining exposure to the commercial, regulatory and technological dynamics shaping the global gaming sector.
Both organisations describe the initiative as a long-term investment in talent development and industry sustainability, with the official launch scheduled for ICE Barcelona 2026.
Linking Academic Excellence with Industry Practice
Clarion Gaming Managing Director Stuart Hunter said the partnership reflects a deliberate effort to bridge the gap between education and industry at a global level. He described the collaboration as an industry-first that strengthens the connection between hospitality education and gaming innovation.
Hunter highlighted UNLV’s academic credentials, noting its R1 classification from the Carnegie Foundation, which represents the highest level of research recognition in the United States. He also pointed to the university’s strong performance in diversity rankings and graduate programmes, positioning University of Nevada, Las Vegas as a natural partner for ICE’s international platform.
According to Hunter, the partnership aligns with Clarion Gaming’s broader aim of using the ICE brand to support the long-term development of the gaming ecosystem by creating structured opportunities for learning, collaboration and knowledge exchange.
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Global Platform for Future Industry Leaders
David Cárdenas, Dean of UNLV’s William F. Harrah College of Hospitality, said the partnership offers meaningful benefits for students preparing to enter a rapidly evolving global industry. He described ICE Barcelona as a unique environment where academia, industry leaders and policymakers can engage directly on the future of gaming.
The partnership will be officially launched at ICE Barcelona 2026, an edition that is also expected to emphasise regulatory dialogue and cross-border cooperation as part of the ICE Barcelona 2026 focus, reflecting the event’s broader role in shaping international gaming policy discussions.
Cárdenas said the Harrah College brings a distinct perspective to these discussions, combining academic research, international reach and close ties with industry stakeholders. As gaming continues to expand into new markets worldwide, he added, collaboration between universities and commercial platforms will be increasingly important in addressing regulatory, technological and social challenges.
The partnership is expected to provide students with first-hand exposure to global gaming trends, emerging technologies and international policy debates, while also giving ICE Barcelona access to academic research and talent development pipelines.
Both parties emphasised that the collaboration is designed to evolve over time, with scope for expanded student participation, research engagement and joint initiatives as the relationship develops. As ICE Barcelona prepares for its 2026 edition, the partnership with UNLV signals a broader shift toward deeper integration between education and the global gaming industry.
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