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ICE Barcelona has announced a new academic partnership with the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), creating a rare and meaningful link between higher education and the global gaming industry. The collaboration is jointly funded and will allow students from UNLV’s prestigious William F. Harrah College of Hospitality to actively engage with ICE Barcelona, one of the world’s leading gaming and entertainment technology exhibitions.
The initiative is designed to give students direct exposure to the industry, helping them learn from real-world innovation, leadership, and global market trends.
Connecting Classroom Learning with Global Gaming
The partnership was formally announced by Clarion Gaming Managing Director Stuart Hunter, who highlighted the importance of bringing education and industry closer together. He said, “I am delighted to be able to confirm this formal partnership between UNLV’s world-leading hospitality education program and ICE Barcelona the world-leading gaming and entertainment technology showcase.”
Hunter described the collaboration as an industry-first and explained how it supports long-term growth for both hospitality and gaming. He also pointed to UNLV’s academic excellence, noting its R1 research status, its position among the top five US universities for diversity, and its ranking within the top 100 graduate and professional programs.
He added, “The partnership, which will be officially launched at ICE Barcelona 2026, sits perfectly with Clarion Gaming’s commitment to deploy the influence and reach of the ICE brand to help build a sustainable future for the industry that we serve.”
A Platform for Future Industry Leaders
From UNLV’s perspective, the partnership offers a valuable opportunity for students to gain insight into the global gaming ecosystem. David Cárdenas, Dean of UNLV’s William F. Harrah College of Hospitality, spoke about the benefits of combining academic expertise with industry access.
He said, “Partnering with Clarion Gaming represents a powerful opportunity to combine our respective strengths and specialties in a way that benefits students, who are the future leaders of the hospitality and gaming industry.”
Cárdenas also highlighted ICE Barcelona’s role as a global meeting point for innovation and collaboration. He explained, “As gaming makes its way into markets throughout the world, ICE Barcelona serves as an amazing platform for academia, industry, and political thought leaders to come together to support gaming innovation on an international scale.”
He further noted that the Harrah College of Hospitality plays an important role in these discussions due to its research capabilities, international reputation, and strong industry relationships. “The Harrah College of Hospitality is an important voice in these conversations, as we have the unique capacity to leverage our research, global standing, and industry partners to not only address the challenges facing the industry but also to identify opportunities for innovation.”
Setting the Stage for ICE Barcelona 2026
With the official launch planned for ICE Barcelona 2026, the partnership reflects a shared vision of preparing the next generation of leaders while supporting sustainable growth across the gaming and hospitality sectors. For students, it opens the door to hands-on learning and global exposure, while for the industry, it strengthens the connection between academic research and practical innovation.
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