Conferences in Europe

Infographic: Gambling Industry Expos vs Gambling Industry Summits

Published

5 years ago

August 28, 2019

Zoltan Tundik

Photo by Helena Lopes from Pexels

Reading Time: 5 minutes

Boutique style conference organizer presents the importance of quality vs quantity when it comes to planning your events calendar.

We have decided to put together a list of strong facts why growing companies with limited budget should opt for summits and smaller conferences versus large expos.

The facts on the list have been compiled after a short survey with selected companies that are usually attending up to 90% of conferences and expos during one year.

This infographic should not be taken as a statement against expos, it is just the fact that has been pointed out during the questioning.

As seen above, attending an expo is not as simple as attending a summit and here are the main points that have been discussed during the survey:

Logistics

Expo – In order to be successful at an expo, you need to book a stand and in order to stand out from the crowd, you have to come up a unique layout and design, that nobody has ever seen. It’s really hard to cope with when it comes to having all the already known brands installing their already visible branding at their stylish stands. After you have your stand’s design, the part of booking the furniture, lighting, electrics, and internet. This is only the logistics part, you need to also arrange meetings and hire staff, book the hotel for your colleagues and create the marketing materials. Not to mention, start an advertising campaign to highlight your attendance.

Summit – You ask for the organizer about the attending companies (usually not a myriad) and you can easily locate your targets/prospects to start planning the meetings. You check the agenda/program for the time schedule and you buy the tickets(s). You book the accommodation during your stay (usually 2 nights).

Meetings (before and during the event)

Expo – You spend hours to browse the attending companies and making phone calls to arrange meetings out of which, usually 40% are always canceled at the last minute. You create several marketing campaigns to create leads and follow closely the prospect pipeline.

Once you get to the expo you are in a hall that has thousands of visitors, running to their meetings or browsing for freebies. Some of them even browsing for business card for database building.

As mentioned earlier, you start greeting your already set up meetings, but you are also keeping your agenda open for potential clients, that might find you offering interesting. Between meetings and staying hungry, you spend hours at your stand waiting for potential clients and doing the promo gigs with leaflet/flyer handouts.

During you already set up meetings, you are keeping track of time so you can also meet your next scheduled prospect, but your prospect is also focused on her/his own schedule. Everyone is keeping track of time and calculating how much it takes to get to their next meeting (finding the stand, finding the contact, etc.).

Summit – You arrive at to the usually luxurious venue and greeted with a smile. You receive your badge and lanyard, and you instantly meet some connection you have contacted prior to the event. You sit down in the conference room with a coffee or a tea and already start discussing your possible collaboration. You know you are not wasting your time as you are speaking with a high-level pre-qualified decision-maker who is at the summit to get quality content without the hassle of running from hall to hall and keeping track of what going on. It’s a laid back atmosphere and everyone is there to meet like-minded peers while also getting the latest quality updates.

During networking breaks and the complimentary lunch break, you sit down with 1-2 prospect that you either contact before the conference or meet in the lounge, and you engage with buyers that are actively sourcing your solutions.

In the evening you enjoy a relaxed social gathering and have a few drinks to meet other prospects before you call it a day. The next morning or afternoon you enjoy a bit of sightseeing and you jet off to your next destination.

Post-event

Expo – You plan your next 3 weeks to follow up with the prospect you have met during the exhibition and try to get them to set up a new meeting at your office or their headquarters. This usually involves more travels, but at first, you have to get that response which has to be approved by the upper decision-maker, who you did not meet yet in person. Keep in mind that your prospect has also met at least 25-30 other solution providers and is now examining reviews and feedback from other clients.

During the follow-up period, you also send an email to people that you never met and have left their card at your stand, sometimes getting in weird situations, explaining where you got their contacts from.

You also have to go over more details as you due to the lack of time, you did not have the chance to explain clearly or the many questions remained un-answered while keeping track of the meetings schedule on both sides.

After you get some promising answers, you need to plan for the next expo and invite the prospects for a second face to face discussion while also maintaining the stand related standards in order to keep appearing on your advantage. It’s back to the drawing board again and back to number one on the list, logistics. During this time, you are also keeping an eye on your marketing budget to see if you are still on track and can fit in some updates to your stand.

Summit – You get back to the office and follow up on the clients you’ve met earlier and ask them if they have any remaining questions after your one on one meeting during the networking break, at lunch, dinner or social gathering.

Once you follow up, you get an instant answer from the decision-maker and you close the prospective pipeline. You look for the next conference in the area you are targeting for clients and you register your delegate pass.

To sum it all up, although your brand may see an increase in visibility during an expo, it might be lost in the loudness and in the shade of larger brands. If you have a restricted budges, sometimes you might even have to break the bank in order to cover all costs.

Medium costs of attending an expo can go over 10.000 EUR in many cases while attending a summit, you only invest up to 1000-1200 EUR (including travel and accommodation costs).

If you thought that this is useful information, please share among your connections and don’t forget to consider two upcoming summits this autumn:

4^th edition of CEEGC Budapest – 24 September, The Ritz-Carlton – read more
2^nd edition of European Gaming Congress – 8 November, Radisson Blu Milan – read more

And if you are already planning your 2020 agenda,

4^th edition of Prague Gaming Summit – 6 March 2020, Vienna House Andels Prague – read more
3^rd edition of MARE BALTICUM Gaming Summit – 7 / 14 May 2020 – Tallinn, Estonia / Copenhagen, Denmark – read more

We hope that you received some useful information today and we look forward to your suggestions on our social media channels.

Conferences in Europe

Gamecity Hamburg connects Decision Makers from International Studios with new “Portside Game Assembly” Conference Format

Published

21 hours ago

November 14, 2024

Adrienn Sarkany

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Gamecity Hamburg announces the premiere of the “Portside Game Assembly” (PSGA) for June 27, 2025. The new B2B conference format focuses on networking and the exchange of learnings between leading international indie game studios. Portside Game Assembly enables studio heads and decision-makers to exchange knowledge in a confidential setting in extraordinary locations of Hamburg, around the harbor – and on the water.

“The idea for Portside Game Assembly was born out of conversations with studio heads and managers from Hamburg and around Europe. Anyone navigating an indie studio through the games market benefits greatly from exchanging learnings with other decision-makers facing similar challenges. With a curated guest list and a focus on impulse talks and roundtables, PSGA will offer studio leads contacts and discussions which are highly relevant to their work and current developments in the industry,” explains Margarete Schneider, Project Manager at Gamecity Hamburg.

“The heart of PSGA is the conference, which will be held on a ship sailing through the Hamburg harbor and to which we welcome attendees from all over Europe and beyond. The conference will be complemented by a networking brunch and two evening events, which invite PSGA participants to meet the vibrant and diverse Hamburg games scene,” adds Dennis Schoubye, Head of Gamecity Hamburg.

The conference program for decision-makers at game studios

On June 27, 2025, the first Portside Game Assembly will kick off with a networking brunch.

Afterwards, the studio managers and decision makers will enter the conference ship, which offers three decks for keynote speeches, roundtables and networking, including a cruise through the famous Hamburg harbor.

Studio managers and decision-makers from the following studios are already attending:

bippinbits (Dome Keeper, PVKK: Planetenverteidigungskanonenkommandant) / Germany
Ghost Ship Publishing (Deep Rock Galactic) / Denmark
Indoor Astronaut (Unrailed 1 & 2) / Switzerland
Landfall Games (Content Warning, Totally Accurate Battle Simulator) / Sweden
mooneye studios (Lost Ember) / Germany
Maschinen-Mensch (Curious Expedition 1 & 2, Mother Machine, Codecks) / Germany
Overhype Studios (Battle Brothers, Menace) / Germany
Rockfish Games (Everspace 1 & 2) / Germany
Torpor Games (Suzerain) / Germany

Leads and executives from established indie game studios can register to take part in the Portside Game Assembly via our registration form.

Networking events as part of the Portside Game Assembly

The evening closing event “Games Industry Party” brings conference guests and other members of the games industry together for networking with cool drinks and snacks. Tickets for the Indie Networking Brunch and the Games Industry Party are available separately for non-conference attendees and will go on sale at a later time.

On the evening before, June 26, 2025, there will be an “Opening Mixer” with a panoramic view over Hamburg’s famous St. Pauli district in the Astra Tower, at Bytro Labs office. Portside Game Assembly participants and contacts from the games industry in Hamburg will be invited.

Registration for studios and participants

The conference itself is aimed exclusively at studio managers and decision-makers from internationally successful indie game studios. To enable a curated selection of participants, there will be no direct ticket sales, but studios can register for participation here: registration form.

The conference ticket includes the Opening Mixer event the evening before, access to the Networking Brunch, the main Conference and the Games Industry Party for a total of 189 euros.

Conferences in Europe

The iGaming Conference Boom: A Catalyst for Industry Growth or Event Overload?

Published

23 hours ago

November 14, 2024

Zoltan Tundik

The iGaming sector has seen phenomenal growth in recent years, with new regions regulating online gaming, an influx of advanced technology, and changing consumer behaviors.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

As the iGaming industry rapidly expands, so too has the frequency of events, summits, and conferences held worldwide. While some within the industry have expressed concerns over the seemingly endless cycle of iGaming conferences, many organizers are now strategically responding by integrating multiple industry sectors into single events. This shift could mark a new era where iGaming conferences are not just more numerous but also more impactful, driving sustained growth and collaboration across the industry.

An Industry on the Rise

The iGaming sector has seen phenomenal growth in recent years, with new regions regulating online gaming, an influx of advanced technology, and changing consumer behaviors. Conferences are a direct reflection of this growth. In response to an industry that is evolving at breakneck speed, these gatherings allow professionals to stay informed, network, and showcase innovations in a competitive, fast-paced market. According to recent reports, 2024 has maintained a similarly robust lineup of conferences as seen in 2023, indicating a steady demand for these industry forums.

Consolidation: Bringing Multiple Industries Together

One of the biggest shifts in recent years has been the move towards event consolidation. Instead of organizing niche, standalone conferences, major event organizers are combining multiple related industries under one roof. For example, some organizers have extended their conferences to cover related fields such as emerging technologies, fintech, and affiliate marketing. This integrated approach creates a unique space for professionals across interconnected sectors to gather, learn, and share insights. This evolution aims to streamline event schedules while providing a more holistic experience for attendees.

Consistency in the Number of Conferences

While some expected the number of iGaming events to decrease in 2024 as the industry reaches a more mature stage, the calendar has remained steady with a full slate of global conferences. Sources highlight extensive lists of major iGaming conferences for the year, covering multiple regions and themes, from regulatory updates to technological advances and new market opportunities. This consistency signals that the demand for these conferences remains high, suggesting that attendees continue to find value in them as essential business and networking platforms.

Why More Conferences Might Actually Be Beneficial

The prevalence of iGaming conferences can be viewed positively when considering the growth trajectory of the industry. These events provide valuable exposure for startups, facilitate knowledge sharing, and foster collaborations that might not happen otherwise. For industry veterans, they’re an opportunity to reconnect, reassess strategies, and stay informed about the latest trends. For newcomers, conferences offer a way into the industry through educational sessions, networking, and visibility.

Furthermore, the diversity in conference topics allows professionals to choose events that best align with their interests or expertise. The range of events caters to everyone from affiliate marketers and game developers to regulators and financial specialists. The right conference can provide insight into specific challenges or growth areas, helping companies refine their strategies.

Balancing Act: Growth Without Saturation

While it’s clear that iGaming conferences play a crucial role in the industry, there’s an argument to be made for balancing quantity with quality. Some attendees feel that with too many events, resources and attention can become stretched thin. To counteract this, organizers who offer integrated, multi-industry conferences are not only addressing the issue of event overload but are also creating more comprehensive forums that offer greater value and insight. A well-curated, diverse conference can draw higher-quality attendance and provide a richer experience for those participating.

Conclusion

The iGaming conference landscape in 2024 reflects an industry that continues to expand, innovate, and adapt to the demands of a global, interconnected world. While the sheer number of conferences may be daunting to some, the strategic consolidation of industries within these events speaks to a forward-thinking approach by organizers. The trend toward integrated, multi-focus conferences provides an opportunity for even greater collaboration, allowing the industry to continue thriving. As long as these events evolve to meet the needs of their audiences, the iGaming industry stands to benefit immensely from its vibrant and active conference ecosystem.

Conferences in Europe

Aviatrix approved for Sweden take-off

Published

4 days ago

November 11, 2024

Adrienn Sarkany

Reading Time: < 1 minute

Award-winning crash game Aviatrix has been certified and licensed in Sweden, as it continues its tour of major, regulated European jurisdictions.

As well as being certified, Aviatrix has been granted a B2B licence from the Swedish regulator Spelinspektionen, meaning it can now provide the game to licensed operators in the country.

Anastasia Rimskaya, Chief Account Officer at Aviatrix, said: “We’ve been busy over the last few months gaining the relevant licences and certifications to bring Aviatrix to regulated markets across Europe. Sweden was always a high priority. We know players there appreciate games that provide something a little different, and we’re always looking to innovate. We can’t wait to see players in the country enjoying Aviatrix.”

During Q2 2024, Swedish online gaming revenues reached almost 400 million euros, the highest quarter since records began. The market has quickly become one of the most appealing in Europe.

Operators in Sweden looking to find an edge will now be able to turn to Aviatrix, a unique product that combines a traditional crash game with innovative NFT mechanics.