Originally scheduled as an in-person event in the United Arab Emirates, the conference was relocated to Cyprus and run in a hybrid format — combining an on-site gathering with full online participation for delegates unable to travel.
The International Escape Room Association (IERA) has successfully concluded its inaugural international conference, an event that brought together leading practitioners, designers, and operators from across the global escape room industry. The conference was delivered in a hybrid format, with an in-person programme hosted in Cyprus running alongside a full virtual track that enabled remote delegates from around the world to participate in keynote presentations, expert panels, and professional workshops.
The event had originally been planned as an in-person gathering in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and had generated significant anticipation among industry professionals worldwide. However, in light of the evolving safety situation in the region, IERA’s leadership took the decision to relocate the conference to Cyprus and to introduce a parallel online track. The Association emphasised throughout that the wellbeing of attendees, speakers, and partners had remained the central priority guiding the decision.
Statement from IERA
While the change of venue represented a departure from the originally envisioned experience, the Association noted that the hybrid format ultimately broadened the conference’s reach, enabling participation from professionals who would not otherwise have been able to attend. The final attendee figures, combining on-site and online delegates, exceeded initial projections.
The programme retained the full scope and ambition of the original event. Sessions addressed a comprehensive range of subjects, including narrative and game design, operational management, marketing and customer retention strategies, technological innovation, and the broader trajectory of the escape room industry in the years ahead. Dedicated tracks served both established operators and professionals new to the field, with feedback from attendees — both in Cyprus and online — indicating that the breadth of content was among the conference’s most appreciated qualities.
Featured Speakers
Oleksii Kolesnikov – Strategy & Game Design
Mr. Kolesnikov delivered what many attendees described as the standout session of the conference. Drawing on professional experience encompassing game design, business operations, and industry development, his presentation on the strategic evolution of the sector struck a notable balance between candid analysis and forward-looking vision. The session generated substantial discussion both during the live Q&A and across industry channels in the days that followed, with several commentators citing his remarks as among the most thought-provoking contributions of the entire programme.
Dr. Scott Nicholson – Game Design Academia
Professor of Game Design and Development at Wilfrid Laurier University and director of the Brantford Games Network Lab, Dr. Nicholson presented one of the conference’s most attended academic sessions. His talk drew on the influential “Ask Why” framework and his ongoing survey work on the global state of the industry.
Zoltan Papp – Operations & Team Management
Mr. Papp addressed the operational side of the escape room business, with particular focus on building self-sufficient teams and sustainable management structures. His session examined how owners can step back from day-to-day operations while maintaining quality and consistency across their venues.
Vasilis Dalitsikas – Industry Analysis
Mr. Dalitsikas, well known across the European escape room circuit, delivered a candid, practitioner-focused presentation on the realities of running a modern escape room business. His remarks addressed the gap between industry expectations and on-the-ground operational experience.
The Association reiterated that the decision to adopt a hybrid format reflected both the practical necessity of relocating from Dubai and its long-standing commitment to accessibility and inclusivity within the international escape room community. The combination of an on-site gathering in Cyprus and a parallel online track welcomed a substantially broader audience than originally projected, including a notable contingent of professionals from emerging markets where the industry is in active development.
Industry observers attending the event noted the sustained expansion of the global escape room sector, with consumer demand for immersive entertainment showing strong post-pandemic recovery. Several speakers and panellists pointed to the conference itself as evidence of the industry’s growing maturity, and of the value of sustained international dialogue in supporting professional development and innovation.
Planning for the next edition of the conference is already understood to be underway, with details to be announced in due course.
