British trade association UKIE has announced a one-day conference for students and industry professional at Staffordshire University.

Aimed at providing insight into key trends in the industry, the conference takes place on Tuesday 20 May and will feature industry figures like John Hare of B.U.G.S. and Sensible Software fame, Sue Stather of Jagex Games Studio, and Chair of the UKIE developer group Ella Romanos.

Tickets to the event are £20 each, and members of the UKIE Student Membership Scheme can attend for free.

Network and explore

Although hosted on a University campus and aimed primarily at students, UKIE's one-day conference will also present an opportunity for indie developers to network and learn.

"The games industry has changed a lot in recent years. There are now products and services available to students and graduates who wish to start their own games studios. This conference brings those students closer to the industry, to give them the business advice and inside information from those who have been there and experienced it first-hand," began senior lecturer in game design David Edwards.

"The event also gives an opportunity for Indie developers to network and explore more opportunities that are available to them from finance and funding, to business and commercial growth," Edwards concluded.

UKIE CEO Dr. Jo Twist, meanwhile, stressed the importance of the conference for students looking to enter the industry.

"Our sector changes at a rapid rate. With tax breaks for the industry, the rise of crowdfunding, the multiple development tools available, as well as the range of platforms and business models, there is a lot of opportunity for graduates but they need to hear from industry professionals so they can make informed choices about their careers."

Those interested in attending the conference can book tickets at the event page.