News

iGB L!VE 2024: Amsterdam farewell set to shatter records

2 July 2024
By Gary Trask

The iGaming industry is set to converge on Amsterdam for the final iGB L!VE before its move to London, and, if the anticipated numbers are any sign, the event’s final act in the Netherlands’ capital is going to be one to remember.

With exhibitor space and visitor pre-registration soaring ahead of last year, and an expected attendance from more than 120 countries, iGB L!VE, which runs from 16-19 July, is on track to be the biggest and most international yet.

This surge in interest reflects the industry's explosive growth and underscores iGB L!VE's position as a global hub for iGaming innovation and networking. Attendees can expect a packed show floor featuring over 300 exhibitors, a robust conference program tackling key industry issues, and unique features like the LaunchPad for start-ups and the revamped Sustainable Gambling Zone.

With London on the horizon and the momentum building for iGB L!VE, the GPWA spoke with Naomi Barton, Portfolio Director for iGB Events at Clarion Events to discuss the lofty expectations for this year’s conference and what the future holds.

How are the numbers looking for iGB L!VE 2024, the last edition of the expo to be held in Amsterdam before it moves to London?
I’m delighted to confirm that the numbers are looking extremely healthy and that’s from both an exhibitor and a visitor perspective. The great news for those attendees making the journey to the RAI Amsterdam is that they will have access to in excess of 300 exhibitors and sponsors occupying 21,000+ square meters of gross space, a figure which is 35% higher than in 2023. The number of industry professionals that have registered is tracking close to 60% ahead at the same stage in 2023. iGB L!VE is already iGaming’s fastest growing business event and to be so far ahead of last year which culminated in a record unique attendance of 7,299 (+44% year-over-year) and 14,500 on-site visits is massively encouraging.

Drilling down into those attendance figures the good news for our exhibitors and sponsors is that 40% of those registered have confirmed that they will be attending the show for the first time which is also ahead of what was achieved last year.

The geographic reach of the brand continues to grow. Obviously as the show gets closer, we tend to analyze the data in greater detail and the pre-registrations are coming in from literally all over the world. Industry professionals from an amazing 122 nations have registered to attend iGB L!VE 2024, a figure which is in ICE territory.

Whilst we need to see how the pre-reg translates into actual attendance iGB L!VE has I believe, underlined its status as a truly global brand and is now amongst the most international live events on the industry calendar. It’s a great tribute to the way in which we as an organizing team have worked closely and productively with our exhibitors and sponsors to really put iGB L!VE on the world map.

In what some would say is a crowded calendar of events what makes iGB L!VE different or even unique?
I have said it frequently but we should never lose sight of the fact that iGB L!VE is the only event that connects the leading iGaming affiliates, operators, tech vendors, game providers and suppliers in order to maximize performance and drive tangible business growth.

iGB L!VE has a unique chemistry and is widely regarded as being not just a dynamic and exciting show but also the home of the iGaming community. Networking is an important part of the proposition and iGB L!VE's ‘curated networking’ events are more than just gatherings—they are immersive experiences that inspire growth, innovation, and collaboration in a relaxed setting.

Events include Welcome Drinks (16 July), 5km morning Run Club (18 July) Official Networking Drinks and Party (18th July), Closing Party running through to the early hours (18 July) and a leisurely cruise along the iconic Amsterdam Canals (19 July). On the show floor we also have iGB INTRODUCING, the facilitated networking initiative which connects audiences and ASCEND which promotes and celebrates diversity, equity and inclusion.

With 10,000+ attendees, iGB L!VE is expected to be our biggest show to date ??
? 121 countries represented on the show floor
? 300+ exhibitors
? 100+ affiliate programmes

Download the app and get access to the full attendee list, and extra features https://t.co/9IFKzcVFkE; ?? pic.twitter.com/PuAqXcrpKr

— iGB (@iGamingBusiness) July 2, 2024

This will be the first edition of the renamed Sustainable Gambling Zone previously the Consumer Protection Zone – why the rebrand?
Rebrands tend to be seen as cosmetic exercises and in the case of the Sustainable Gambling Zone (SGZ) that could not be further from the truth. The SGZ reflects a shift in approach and the heightened importance that’s being placed on proactive customer interventions taking place at earlier stages of the player journey. The SGZ will engage with operators who are focused on long-term sustainability, and goes way beyond simply meeting regulations.

While not yet standard across the whole of the industry, this more holistic approach has as its end goal the creation of a sustainable business in which the vast majority of players can continue to enjoy their gambling entertainment experience but where the small proportion who are at risk of developing problems are pro-actively identified and assisted by operators. It’s important that iGB L!VE as a lead event is at the vanguard of initiatives to help develop healthy play from the very outset.

You have introduced the LaunchPad feature for start-up businesses and entrepreneurs, how will it work and how does it chime with the personality of the industry?
We are very excited about LaunchPad, which is a vibrant, new and exciting show feature which also sits perfectly with the entrepreneurial nature of the sector. Its purpose is to showcase ground-breaking tech and innovation from the brightest start-ups and small businesses in gaming.

Taking place on the Pulse Stage (18 July 16.30hrs – 18.00hrs) LaunchPad will provide a platform for five companies to present their innovations to a panel of judges with each presentation followed by a probing Q&A session designed to interrogate the viability and commercial prowess of each product pitch. Small businesses need every bit of help they can get and putting them in front of a C-Level audience of investors could be game-changing.

In order to provide further assistance, we are providing cash prizes of £5,000 for the winner, £2,500 for second place and £1,000 for third. LaunchPad will have an authentic iGB L!VE twist with the emphasis on competitive fun.

To ensure this, I am delighted to confirm that 25+ year industry veteran and non-exec Clarion Gaming Chairman Michael Caselli has agreed to be our MC and will also head the panel of judges drawn from across the iGB L!VE community of industry professionals, investors and sponsors. I believe that iGB L!VE has a responsibility to the industry that it serves and LaunchPad is a great way of helping small talented businesses to become commercially successful and established.

Can you expand on the conference program at iGB L!VE?
With 50+ speakers across 21 sessions, this is the largest iGB L!VE conference program ever.

Headline sessions on this year’s agenda include a live masterclass on ways to engage players in the world’s hottest online casino markets, innovation in slot game design, navigating cyber threats in the aftermath of an attack, the role of ESG in boosting M&A valuations, parasite SEO, surviving the search bar squeeze, link localization in Spain and LatAm, and how affiliates should respond on player protection. Among the line-up of speakers, we have secured the attendance of Michel Groothuizen, the incoming chair of the Dutch regulator Kansspelautoriteit who will be making the opening address on 17 July. The appearance will be Michel Groothuizen’s first in front of an international igaming audience following his appointment. His appearance at iGB L!VE speaks volumes for the growing reputation that the brand enjoys for being the home of the iGaming community.

Having committed himself to what he has described as the ‘wonderful challenge’ of ensuring safer gambling, iGB L!VE attendees will be the first to learn how the KSA under his leadership will address those challenges.

As the industry says its goodbyes to Amsterdam how will you reflect on your time in the city?
With great fondness and gratitude. The team at the RAI Amsterdam have been outstanding partners and made a big, big contribution to the iGB L!VE success story. Amsterdam as a host city has provided a wonderfully creative and dynamic backdrop.

What about the 2025 move to London: how are plans progressing and what's the vision for iGB L!VE?
Our preparations for the migration of iGB L!VE to London is well-advanced. They comprise a roadmap of activities, which we are developing in partnership with the senior team at ExCeL London. The roadmap is being created to anticipate industry needs, address pain points and to secure a frictionless relocation. Our vision is to take the show to a whole new level as the industry continues to scale. By 2028 we have targeted over 30,000 visitors, and 550+ exhibitors and sponsors. We are working in partnership with an industry Advisory Board, made up of the most influential and pioneering stakeholders, in order to realize the show’s vision and growth targets. Our customers want that growth and as organizers we are driven by the needs of the industry.

ExCeL London has established a fantastic track record of helping events to fulfill their potential, and all of the building blocks are in place for iGB L!VE to do exactly that.

Finally, what would you say to those industry professionals who may be in two minds about attending iGB L!VE 2024?
I personally cannot recall being as excited about an event as I am iGB L!VE 2024. There’s a real buzz and energy about the brand and a level of engagement with the industry that’s off the scale. The combination of a dynamic show floor featuring so many of the industry’s most influential and exciting companies, new features, a compelling conference program, best in class networking opportunities and of course the opportunity to say a huge and heartfelt thanks to Amsterdam makes iGB L!VE 2024 simply unmissable.

It will also fire the starting pistol on the countdown to London and all that means to the development of the brand and the opportunities it will deliver for its growing international stakeholder community drawn from every corner of the world.

For more information on iGB L!VE (16-19 July 2024: Expo Days 17-18 July) and to register for free visit: https://www.igblive.com