Tiga to speak at Labour conference

Tiga, the organisation founded to promote the UK games industry and look out for its interests, will be addressing the crowds at the Labour party conference over the next few days.

The organisation is supporting the Northwest Regional Development Agency's (NWRDA) fringe event, 'Celebrating the Gaming Industry', on Saturday 20th September in the Usdaw Marquee.

Among those attending will be Margaret Hodge MP, the minister of state for culture, creative industries and tourism, Richard Wilson, chief executive of Tiga, and Iain Bennett, sector leader of digital and creative industries at the NWRDA, all three of whom will be speaking at the event.

This is the first time that Tiga has actively participated in the party conference season.

Richard Wilson said: "If we are to achieve Tiga's vision of making the UK the best place in the world to do games business then we must engage with those who can influence the environment governing the games industry - politicians.

"I am delighted to have the opportunity to speak up for the games industry in general and for developers in particular at the Labour Party Conference. The UK games industry is a world class industry that sustains over 20,000 jobs, makes a positive contribution of approximately £200 million to the UK's balance of payments and generates much needed revenue for the Exchequer. The industry faces challenges but it remains a success story that more politicians need to know about.

"I am very grateful to the Northwest Regional Development Agency for organising the fringe event 'Celebrating the Gaming Industry' at the Labour Party Conference and for giving Tiga the opportunity to raise the profile of the industry within the Labour Party and within the Government."