Koelnmesse, organizer of 2009’s GamesCom event in Cologne, has issued a statement claiming that there is little industry backing for next year's Games Convention in Leipzig, Germany.

The decision by the German publishers association BIU to back Koelnmesse’s GamesCom show from 2009 had led to speculation that 2008 would be the last year that a Games Convention event took place in Germany, but GC organizer Leipziger Messe recently announced that the trade fair would return in August 2009 after GC 2008, which ended on Sunday, attracted a record-breaking 203,000 visitors.

"It was to be expected that the Leipzig trade fair would try to keep the topic in its 2009 program as well by announcing its date,” said Koelnmesse managing director Oliver P. Kuhrt. “But they will have to do it without the industry for the most part. The lead trade fair will take place in Cologne in 2009 and beyond."

Koelnmesse says that it has already received more than 120 enquiries from companies about GamesCom, “including almost all the market leaders”.
 
"From Leipzig we are bringing the clear message that the games industry will be exhibiting in 2009 in Cologne at GamesCom," added Kuhrt. "We have met with broad approval, and the industry is looking forward to gathering in Cologne. Whatever happens in Germany in 2009 outside of Cologne cannot claim to represent this sector."

Polls taken by Leipziger Messe at GC 2008 found that 82.1 percent of private visitors wanted the show to remain in the city, while only 10 percent of exhibitors and 13.2 percent of trade attendees said they didn’t want the show to continue in Leipzig.

“The industry and visitors are giving us their clear support to continue with the fair in Leipzig,” said Leipziger Messe CEO Wolfgang Marzin.