Based on the theme Connect, Converse, Convert, combined events iGB Live! and iGB Affiliate proved to be very successful this year. According to numbers recently shared by organizer Clarion Gaming, the indicator of 4,694 attendants set in 2019 was overtaken by 7% on this new 2022 edition, reaching an all-time record of 5,022 gaming executives (+31% v 2021 figures) walking through booths and pavilions of RAI Amsterdam, in the Netherlands’s capital.
There were 190 sponsors and exhibitors occupying 4,500 sqm, feature areas dedicated to online slots and the Esports phenomenon, a 46 speaker strong Conference program and two in-depth Masterclasses.
Making a first look analysis at the show, Naomi Barton, Portfolio Director with responsibility for driving the development of the iGB brand, explained: “It’s not just about the numbers: the real measure of success will be evidenced in the post-show research that we conduct with both visitors and exhibitors and the resulting Net Promoter Scores, which represent the willingness of attendees to recommend the event to their network. However, to attract more attendees than previous record-breaking 2019 edition of iGB Live! is a stand-out achievement and one which the entire team should be proud of. It’s clear that our investment in marketing and communications has succeeded in reaching out to a new audience, with 32% attending iGB Live! for the first time, 12% representing start-up businesses and 8% new to gaming, with 26% operating in the U.S.”
AMAZING PRODUCTS AND FORWARD THINKING CONFERENCES
In the exhibition floor, the most innovative companies of the online gaming industry offered their latest technologies. Some of them were, in alphabetical order, the following: 22bet (booth F24), 888.com (H20), Amigo Gaming (S10), Amusnet Interactive (N13, N14 y M20), Bet365 Partners (J20), Betsson Group Affiliates (E30), Betway (D20), Condor Gaming (H50), CT Interactive (M50), Digitain (N40), Entain Partners, GG Poker Network (G55), LeoVegas Affiliates (E20), Mancala Gaming (L44), Paysafe (M30), Pinnacle Solution (M9), Pokerstars (E62), Pragmatic Play (R60), Pronet Gaming (P70), Relax Gaming (N80), Slotegrator (M40), Soft2Bet (J50), SOFTSWISS (P30), and Sportingtech (R30), among others.
About panels, keynotes and conferences, main issues of the sector were discussed: the prospect of stake limits on online slots, the dangers of pushing customers into the unregulated black market, the latest advertising restrictions in the Netherlands, Gamification, AI, Metaverse, NFTs, Crypto, Blockchain and how iGaming can make the most out of social media. Moreover, Justin Deaville led the Advanced SEO Masterclass, while Eric Frank talked about Demystifying the USA affiliate license. Additionally, visitors to iGB Live! had the chance to gain the most up to date insight on the latest generation of RNG-based games courtesy of a dedicated Slots Arena, which showcased the latest innovations and business development opportunities in this exciting gaming vertical.
Breaking down the component parts of the iGB Live! experience, Barton also stated: “Our strategy of delivering a show floor that represents the entire gaming eco-system and is underpinned by opportunities to network with the industry and generate leads, alongside a content-rich program of business-centric learning and relevant show features, has proved being very positive. These are exciting times for the iGB Live! brand, which continues to grow in size and reputation. My challenge is to build on that success by working with our stakeholders to continue to deliver an outstanding visitor experience and enhanced value for our exhibitors.”