With four events in one (SiGMA Europe, AIBC Summit, Affiliate Grand Slam and Med-Tech World), on November 14-18, the Malta Week was a huge global gaming celebration. Thousands of delegates gathered at the Malta Fair and Convention Centre and the Hilton Hotel to learn, do business, and enjoy the growth of land-based and online gaming into a true hub of innovation.
During these intense days, attendees had the opportunity to know more about the latest developments in the sector with informative panels and keynotes, walk through a vibrant exhibition floor, and take advantage of various networking activities. Important exhibitors had a wonderful display of solutions, such as 1XBET, 22Bet, Altenar, Amusnet Interactive, Astropay, Betsson Group, Digitain, EGT Interactive, EvenBet Gaming, GGPoker, Mancala Gaming, Paysafe, Phoenix 7, Pin-Up Bet, Pragmatic Play, R. Franco Digital, Slotegrator, Soft2Bet, SOFTSWISS, and Vibra Gaming, among others. Beyond some details to correct (adequate signage of the stands and pavilions, more bathrooms and better food spaces), there was a great organization by the SiGMA Group team.
In summary, G&M News can point out ten aspects that made this a successful event for all the participants.
10 KEYS TO AN UNFORGETTABLE SHOW
1) The support of local authorities. Now on it its 8th edition, the SiGMA event has been able to grow progressively thanks to the Malta Gaming Authority and the Maltese Government. This 2022, once more, Robert Abela (Prime Minister of Malta), Carl Brincat (CEO of the Malta Gaming Authority), James Baldacchino (Head of Legal and Enforcement Affairs of the Malta Gaming Authority) and Enrico Bradamante (Founder of iGen, a trade organization representing the iGaming sector in Malta) attended the fair.
2) Delegates from all over the world. Breaking records, it was the largest iGaming event on the planet in 2022, with more than 25,000 attendees from 80+ countries, including hundreds of sponsors and exhibitors, 400 speakers, 300 affiliates and 100 influencers.
3) Colorful and innovative stands. Beyond the fact that some stands had music too loud for conversation, as G&M News found, each company tried to design interesting and representative spaces for their brands, with products in the foreground and sectors to sit down to do business. The biggest star was Roberto Carlos. The former Brazilian soccer World Champion was friendly and took pictures with everyone as a Betwinner ambassador.
4) All industry stakeholders were represented. Suppliers, operators, experts, influencers, affiliates, investors, startups, each segment had the opportunity to participate, interact and exchange experiences and knowledge.
5) A broad spectrum of content disseminated at conferences. From the SiGMA Stage and the AIBC Stage, thousands of visitors carefully listened to the dissertations and opinions of experts in different panels. The topics covered were divided into six areas: Regulation and Compliance, SEO, Casino Trends, Digital and Affiliate Marketing, Sportsbooks and Esports, and E-Commerce and Payment Solutions. Of all the conversations heard (between 10 and 30 minutes each), one of the most attractive was the one dedicated to LatAm, which brought together renowned executives such as Thomas Carvalhaes (Vai de Bob), Diego Salas (Altenar) and Roberto Regianini (FBMDS), among others.
6) An abundance of awards. Dozens of companies were recognized for their successful products, their achievements, their work environment and their leading executives. Events included SiGMA Awards, AGS Awards, Streamer Awards, LCB Awards, Med-Tech Awards and many more.
7) Parties and celebrations at the highest level. All nights, SiGMA invited attendants to cocktails at the Hilton Hotel, as well as to exclusive executive dinners. In addition, there was a wonderful closing party at the Sky Club, sponsored by PIN-UP Partners, with rapper Rick Ross and live DJs to dance non-stop. In parallel, several companies organized their own events. The brightest were those of Amusnet Interactive and Altenar. The first was called ‘Muse of Malta’, and it took place at Gracy’s Arts & Supper Club, a kind of fantastic castle in Valletta. With a distinguished, glamorous and high quality tone, some 250 VIPs were entranced by the decoration of the place, the delicious menu and a series of live shows, with violinists, an incredible singer, DJs and other talented artists. For its part, Altenar received select guests at an event at Hammett’s Mestizo in Saint Julian, with a live band and delicacies to satisfy the most demanding stomachs.
8) The value of solidarity. As usual every year, SiGMA also held a charity fundraising gala. For a total of €91,000, fine works by British artist Derek Mason, as well as Sandra Kowalski, Anna Bukhareva and Danny Doneo & Nivek, were up for auction. The money raised by the SiGMA Foundation will go towards the construction of a series of schools in Ethiopia and the operation of 50 children with cleft palate problems.
9) Sports were also present. With soccer, paddle (both coordinated by All-in Global), golf and poker tournaments prior to the fair, it was possible to promote healthy competition and stimulate social bonds among the delegates.
10) A possibility to be surprised by the magnificent culture and landscapes of Malta. Always attentive to deliver a complete experience, the SiGMA Group organized a cultural guided tour through the vibrant streets of Valletta, where you could appreciate the beauty and charm of the fortified city built by the Knights of Malta in 1566. Then, the tour allowed us to enjoy the medieval city of Mdina.
Although 2022 is over for SiGMA, great events await in 2023, with unmissable gaming industry meetings in Nairobi (Kenya), Dubai (United Arab Emirates), Manila (Philippines), São Paulo (Brazil), Limasol (Cyprus), and Malta.
