Header image for the gamescom dev leadership events page. Exclusive events for games industry executives.

With the gamescom dev leadership events, we offer a year-round program tailored for games industry leaders and decision-makers through a series of recurring and interlinked summits and dinners.

We invite you to connect and collaborate with top-level professionals, and to engage in conversations that truly matter. Our leadership events equip the foremost minds in the games industry with lasting experiences and valuable relationships.

Let’s shape the future of gaming together!

Attendees talking to each other

gamescom dev leadership summits

The gamescom dev leadership summits offer a distinctive platform for leaders to connect and exchange innovative ideas.

The two-day program creates a confidential and collaborative environment where top professionals can engage, share insights and tackle critical industry challenges without the pressures of public scrutiny.

The agenda features keynotes, workshops, roundtables, panels and guided networking, as well as lunch breaks and seated dinners.

gamescom dev leadership dinners

Attendees at a dinner table

The gamescom dev leadership dinners aim to deepen the exchanges and connections fostered during our summits, promoting richer interactions among attendees.

Currently, we host our leadership dinners at GDC, gamescom, gamescom latam, and gamescom asia.

Each of them features intensive networking, and a thoughtfully curated dining experience while sharing insights and ideas with key figures in the industry.

Are you interested in becoming a sponsor or partner?

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leadership events 2026

leadership summit 2026
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Feb 24-26, 2026

Lisbon, Portugal

leadership reception @ GDC

March 8, 2026

San Francisco, USA

leadership summit @ Cologne

Aug 24, 2026

Cologne, Germany

leadership dinner @ gamescom

Aug 24, 2026

Cologne, Germany

leadership dinner @ gamescom asia

October 28, 2026

Bangkok, Thailand

Banner for the gamescom dev leadership summit in Cologne, August 24, 2026

The Cologne edition of the gamescom dev leadership summit will once again be integrated into the gamescom dev conference program, featuring exclusive sessions tailored to C-level professionals and senior decision-makers in the games industry.

Gain strategic insights from leading experts, exchange perspectives with peers, and build meaningful relationships with executives from across the global games business, and get a taste of the full, three-day gamescom dev leadership summit taking place in Lisbon, Portugal.

Date:
Mon, Aug 24, 2026
11 am – 4 pm

Location:
Confex, Stage 13

Access:
VIP ticket, by invitation

Banner for the gamescom dev leadership dinner in Cologne, August 24, 2026

The leadership dinner is one of gamescom dev’s most exclusive networking events, hosted at The ASH restaurant & bar in the immediate vicinity of gamescom dev conference grounds.

Bringing together decision-makers and senior executives from across the games industry, this intimate evening creates the ideal environment for high-level conversations and valuable new connections.

Date:
Mon, Aug 24, 2026
6 pm – 11 pm

Location:
The ASH Köln MesseCity

Access:
by invitation

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Interested in partnering with us?​
Get in touch!

We offer numerous ways for you to become a sponsor of the gamescom dev leadership events.

Please contact our team and we’ll support you in providing individual offers hand-tailored to your needs.

Picture of Roufina Guenkova

Roufina Guenkova
(they/them)

Head of Business Development & Global Partnerships

Picture of Iryna Ivanova

Iryna Ivanova
(she/her)

Business Development Manager Europe, MENA, South America

Picture of Sonia Wojciechowska

Sonia Wojciechowska
(she/her)

Business Development Manager North America, APAC

“The leadership summit hit exactly the right tone — covering the real issues and trends developers need to stay ahead in today’s fast-evolving industry.

It was a powerful experience with meaningful conversations and insights that directly connect to the challenges we’re tackling right now.

The event was full of those genuine, stand-out moments that make you think, ‘This is why we’re here.’ I can’t wait to come back next year and dive even deeper.”

Picture of Alexander FernandezAlexander L. Fernandez, Chief Executive Officer at Streamline Media Group
“The leadership summit was a fantastic space for candid discussion with leaders in European game teams, a space to explore the human and professional challenges in the market which at the time was considerable.

There were some great speakers but it was in the roundtable and networking sessions that really added the best value with discussions ranging from practical insight on fundraising, business operations and game marketing strategies.”

Picture of Oscar ClarkOscar Clark, Chief Executive Officer at Fundamentally Games Ltd
“The leadership summit fostered open discussions on critical industry challenges, offering participants valuable insights and connections to empower game studios, investors, publishers, and other stakeholders.

gamescom dev’s team curated the two-day event packed with diverse networking opportunities, creating a welcoming and supportive environment for meaningful conversations.”

Picture of Diogo RatoDiogo Rato, Executive Director at Associação de Produtores de Videojogos Portugueses
“The summit gave me invaluable insights into the challenges confronting different types of game companies. A wonderful opportunity to network with top executives from a wide array of gaming firms.

Thanks to the connections made at the summit, we were able to venture into new business territories.”

Picture of Christian FonnesbechChristian Fonnesbech, Head of IP at Leverage
“Attending the leadership summit was an insightful experience, where I could connect or catch up with peers, from different parts of the industry and with different experiences (VCs, other publishers, but also successful III studios).

Sharing experiences and best practices, facing common challenges and how to deal with them, each with their own solution and expertise, was not only helpful, but also reminding how, as an industry, we can grow by sharing.”

Picture of Yves Le YaouanqYves Le Yaouanq, Chief Content Officer at Focus Entertainment
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gamescom dev partner

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Technical partner

Media & press partners

Event & networking partners