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Infographic: Gambling Industry Expos vs Gambling Industry Summits
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:
- 4th edition of CEEGC Budapest – 24 September, The Ritz-Carlton – read more
- 2nd edition of European Gaming Congress – 8 November, Radisson Blu Milan – read more
And if you are already planning your 2020 agenda,
- 4th edition of Prague Gaming Summit – 6 March 2020, Vienna House Andels Prague – read more
- 3rd 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.
Source: European Gaming Media
This is a Syndicated News piece. Photo credits or photo sources can be found on the source article: Infographic: Gambling Industry Expos vs Gambling Industry Summits
Latest News
Innovations Redefining iGaming: What Operators Need to Know
The iGaming industry is advancing at breakneck speed, driven by technological innovation and evolving player expectations. Itai Zak, Executive Director of iGaming at Digicode, emphasizes the importance of bridging client aspirations with customized business solutions. Key trends shaping the future of iGaming include live dealer games, blockchain integration, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), enhanced personalization, and shifting regulatory environments. Let’s delve into how these trends influence the industry, presenting new opportunities while paving the way for future growth.
A Closer Look at Emerging Trends
- Live Dealer Games
Live dealer games are revolutionizing the online gaming experience, blending the best aspects of land-based casinos with the convenience of virtual gaming. Players can now engage with real-life dealers via high-definition video streams, enhancing the social component of online gambling. This bridge between physical and virtual casinos introduces interactive features like live chat and immersive gameplay. Industry leaders like Evolution Gaming and NetEnt are setting new standards in player engagement with innovative game formats and top-tier studio setups, redefining the realism and appeal of live gaming.
- Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Integration
Blockchain technology is transforming iGaming by offering unparalleled transparency and security. With blockchain’s ability to enable provably fair gaming, players can verify that each round is fair via an immutable ledger. Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum facilitate faster, more secure transactions, catering to tech-savvy players who value privacy. Platforms like Bitcasino.io are leading the way, leveraging blockchain to ensure fairness and seamless payments. However, the rise of blockchain also attracts regulatory attention, requiring operators to balance innovation with compliance as governments navigate this new technology.
- Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
AI and ML are instrumental in enhancing player experience and operational efficiency. AI algorithms analyze player behavior in real-time, offering personalized game recommendations and promotions. Additionally, AI-powered chatbots provide instant customer support, improving user satisfaction. AI-driven predictive analytics also help operators fine-tune marketing strategies based on player preferences. Companies like Bet365 are already using these technologies to stay ahead of the competition, offering more personalized and efficient gaming experiences.
- Richer Personalization and Engagement
Personalization has become crucial for iGaming operators looking to boost player satisfaction and retention. By leveraging data analytics, companies can offer tailored game recommendations, dynamic bonuses, and individualized promotional offers. This level of engagement enhances the player experience and strengthens loyalty. Industry pioneers like DraftKings and FanDuel push the envelope by offering highly customized features, such as personalized fantasy sports leagues and bespoke betting options.
- Regulatory Changes and Market Expansion
The constantly evolving regulatory landscape offers both challenges and opportunities for iGaming operators. As more regions legalize various forms of online gambling, companies gain access to new markets. With their large populations and increasing internet penetration, emerging markets like Brazil and Nigeria represent lucrative opportunities. However, navigating the diverse regulations in these markets requires agility and strict compliance with local laws to succeed.
- Enhanced Payment Solutions
With digital transactions becoming the norm, the demand for fast, secure, and flexible payment methods is skyrocketing. From digital wallets to instant banking and cryptocurrencies, players expect payment solutions that offer convenience and security. This growing demand is driving innovation in payment processing, giving operators more opportunities to streamline the transaction process while building trust with users.
Future Implications
The Expanding Role of AI and Blockchain
AI and blockchain are not just current trends, but they are poised to play an even more significant role in iGaming’s future. As AI technology evolves, more sophisticated algorithms will emerge, enabling real-time adaptation to player behavior and preferences. Blockchain’s application may extend beyond transparency and security, transforming game mechanics and player interactions potentially redefining how games are designed and played.
Shifting Player Preferences
Player expectations will continue to evolve toward immersive, interactive experiences. As Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) become more mainstream, they will significantly influence the future of iGaming. Players will demand more engaging, lifelike environments, pushing the industry to create innovative game formats and features that offer deeper immersion and entertainment value.
Regulatory Developments
The regulatory environment will continue to evolve, and iGaming operators must stay agile to navigate future changes. New regulations may increasingly emphasize responsible gaming and player protection, influencing platform design and operational practices. A more harmonized regulatory framework across jurisdictions could provide stability while requiring operators to prioritize compliance.
Integrating Emerging Technologies
Technologies like 5G and edge computing are set to revolutionize iGaming by enabling faster, more reliable connectivity. This will allow for more complex game designs and real-time player interactions, opening new avenues for innovative gaming experiences. As these technologies mature, operators will have greater opportunities to differentiate their offerings. The potential of these emerging technologies to revolutionize iGaming is truly exciting and promising for the industry’s future.
Final Thoughts
The iGaming industry is on the cusp of significant transformations, driven by technological advancements and shifting player demands. Innovations like live dealer games, blockchain integration, AI, ML, and enhanced personalization are just the beginning. As the industry evolves, staying ahead of these trends will be critical for operators looking to thrive in an increasingly dynamic environment.
At Digicode, we are constantly exploring new technologies and refining our solutions to meet the evolving needs of our clients. Our focus on adaptability and foresight ensures that our clients are not just keeping pace with the industry—they’re leading it.
The post Innovations Redefining iGaming: What Operators Need to Know appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
What makes Turbo Games’ provably fair games so special?
A partnership between game developer Turbo Games and iGaming solution provider and aggregator Slotegrator began in November 2022 via the APIgrator game integration solution. Since then, the collaboration has been developing successfully — and now it’s time to analyze what made it successful.
Turbo Games has noticed how the new technologies spreading throughout the industry can work for the good of brand transparency and player loyalty: “We can already see how blockchain technology has made it possible to make betting checks more accessible to players. All you need is a blockchain-hash and a decoder service. We think we will continue to move in this direction. Many traditional online casinos do not offer the possibility to check the bet. Sooner or later we all have to come to this. Perhaps the development of artificial intelligence will help here, because we are already seeing its involvement in all spheres of human life.”
Turbo Games specializes in provably fair games. Provable fairness is a concept where players can verify their wins or losses using blockchain technology — the outcome of the game is dictated by a smart contract and is absolutely random, barring the possibility of any human involvement. Using cryptographic hashing algorithms, the gambling site and the player’s device both generate seeds (random strings of numbers). Players receive a key that allows them to check the results; if the results are the same as the game round they witnessed, it proves that there was no foul play.
According to statistics from Turbo Games, the audience for provably fair games is mostly between 18 and 25 years old. However, there are also players aged 35-40 who prefer traditional games but would like to try something new, and have turned their attention to provably fair games.
There are good odds that the technology of provably fair games will become more popular, if not even commonplace, because it gives players a feeling of transparency and proves that the business is trustworthy without the need to search through dozens of reviews. Whereas many innovations in iGaming simply add entertainment, provable fairness addresses security concerns and reassures players that they’re not being exploited, which is invaluable.
Provably fair games are beneficial for both players and online casinos. Vadim Potapenko, Head of Sales at Turbo Games, comments: “It often happens that the users are not satisfied with the result, because gambling is not only about big wins, but also possible losses. By allowing them to check the fairness of a bet, we make life easier for platforms and players. Of course, this allows us to communicate with partners and users that we work honestly and that’s why they should trust our games.”
Ayvar Gabidullin, Business Development Manager at Slotegrator, adds that “this type of game is now becoming more and more popular and has great potential for both players and game providers in the future. On the part of the player, the advantage is that the player can always be sure that his game is fair and he can independently check any of his bets. And for the game provider, this also simplifies the process of implementing casino games, since now it will not be necessary to obtain the appropriate certificates from independent laboratories before launching new games, they can immediately enter the market with these games and where anyone can check the result and make sure that that there is no cheating with players. Many game providers are starting to look towards this type of game. And as far as I see, many operators are starting to think about adding these games.”
What do players in 2023 need? The iGaming industry is all about reputation and trust. Players have a huge number of platforms to choose from, making them pickier and pickier. There’s an abundance of forums where players leave reviews, so if players view a brand as untrustworthy, there are plenty of places they can share their opinion. Provable fairness not only stops that from happening, it provides evidence to the contrary, giving players something else to talk about.
Slotegrator also recommends investing time and effort into localization and creating an effective and detailed marketing strategy — before trying provably fair technology players need to get to the platform, and there is no acquisition without marketing.
ABOUT SLOTEGRATOR
Since 2012, Slotegrator has been one of the iGaming industry’s leading software and business solution providers for online casino and sportsbook operators.
The company’s main focus is software development and support for online casino platforms, as well as the integration of game content and payment systems.
The company works with licensed game developers and offers a vast portfolio of casino content: slots, live casino games, poker, virtual sports, table games, lotteries, casual games, and data feeds for betting.
Slotegrator also provides consulting services in gambling license acquisition and business incorporation.
More information: https://slotegrator.pro/
ABOUT TURBO GAMES
Turbo Games — a provably fair games provider that belongs to Turbo Stars company — has an ambitious goal to establish widespread recognition throughout the iGaming world. Even though it is young, the company consists of professionals who have been working on the brand for over five years and are even planning to introduce a new brand for a wider audience soon.
Turbo Games also works in Europe, India, and South Africa, where the company sees the most potential and expects the same “hype” as in Brazil.
The portfolio of Turbo Games consists of 21 titles, including well-known games like Mines, Crash X, DoubleRoll, Hi-Lo, and Plinko. The studio releases a game every month. However, not all games are developed from scratch. Wicket Blast and Spin Strike, the last two releases, are based on cricket and the Indian Premier League. Crash X remains the most popular fast game in the Turbo Games portfolio, and the studio reports that crash games enjoy stable levels of popularity. Overall, the main focus of the brand is provably fair games.
More information: https://turbogames.io/
Baltics
Games Factory Talents has teamed up with Nordic Game to bring you Nordic Game Talents.
Looking to take your career to the next level in the games industry? Then, Nordic Game Talents is the place to be! Games Factory Talents has teamed up with Nordic Game to bring you Nordic Game Talents.
From Oct 27-29, the online and interactive event is dedicated to recruitment and career building in the creative & games industry within the Nordic region. The event empowers participants to be part of a bigger community and motivates them to explore new paths in achieving their career goals.
Hiring creative & games studios – Supercell, Funcom, Panzerdog, Tactile Games, Gamecan, Fingersoft, Dazzle Rocks, Redhill Games to name a few from the Nordic region will be participating in the event. These studios will share information on their latest projects, work culture and what it takes to be part of their team. The individual games associations from Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Estonia will share insights through live sessions on the booming games industry in their respective countries. Career development topics pertinent to job seekers like – How to have a successful first interview, Creative Portfolio reviews will also be discussed.
Experienced game industry professionals and individuals beginning their careers from around the world are welcome to join the event. One-to-one interviews with the hiring studios can be scheduled through the event platform. A great opportunity to get to know the studios and network with game professionals from around the world.
Participating in the event
As a job seeker attending Nordic Game Talents, take a few minutes to fill out a simple registration form. After filling the registration form you will receive a link to the online event platform – PINE, to join the event on 27th October. Participants joining Nordic Game Talents will also receive a free-of-charge pass to the Nordic Game Conference.
To view the complete agenda, please click here and to learn more about the event please visit Games Job Fair
About Games Factory Talents
A Helsinki-based talent attraction agency dedicated to the games & creative industry. Our services include direct recruitment, organizing game job fairs and managing a community of game industry professionals through our GameDev Talent Board.
To learn more about Games Factory Talents visit – Games Factory Talents
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