The Fifth Annual Global Interactive Gaming & Expo is just over 30 days away and time's just about up for those wanting to take advantage of the early-bird discount as well as discounted hotel room rates.
If you haven't made your reservations yet, the early-bird rate will be available until midnight US Central Time (GMT - 6) on April 18, 2003. You may also want to take advantage of hotel specials before it's too late. The River City Group has reserved room blocks in two hotels for GIGSE attendees, but those blocks will be released on Friday April 18. Go to http://www.gigse.com/2003/index.cfm (main menu for both registration and hotel/air info).
With attendees from all over the world, GIGSE has become the I-gaming industry 's working marketplace and largest defining event. Here's what's in store for GIGSE 2003 :
The Program
Now spanning six tracks (in addition to two plenary sessions), the conference program has grown significantly again. The themed tracks are as follows: Legal/Policy, Licensing, Marketing, Payment Processing, Special Issues and Technology. Back again is the pre-conference workshop (a primer for those looking to learn more about the industry), sponsored networking breaks and panel discussions with an emphasis on audience participation. Important topics to be discussed include the payment processing crisis, person-to-person betting, U.S. policy, U.K. policy, new security issues, wireless gaming and the ongoing debate over cross-border gambling.
New to this year's program is a series of roundtable discussions on some of the industry's most hotly debated issues, such as whether it's possible to over-regulate I-gaming and how to address betting exchanges.
The Expo Hall
The Expo Hall at GIGSE becomes the two-day world headquarters for dozens of international companies and associations involved in I-gaming (see the exhibitor directory at http://www.gigse.com/2003/index.cfm). This year's event already has over 41 companies exhibiting or sponsoring with that number growing daily. It's clearly the best place to do "face to face" business globally for the I-gaming industry. Like the conference program, the expo hall has evolved with the industry and its complexion has changed to meet industry demands. This year's expo, for example, will feature an increased number of suppliers offering payment processing solutions. Legal services, industry associations, licensing jurisdictions, affiliate programs, hosting companies, geo-location technology developers and gaming software suppliers will also showcase their products and services.
Networking Functions
The expo floor is a great place to do business, but oftentimes the real deals are made "after hours." This is why the GIGSE welcoming reception is always a big hit. Last year's party was, by far, the largest single gathering of I-gaming professionals ever assembled. Cocktails, live music, hors d'oeuvres, and the chance to socialize with acquaintances you rarely get to see face-to-face make this a favorite event every year. Each year, a handful of exhibitors and sponsors host off-site parties and receptions as well. Lunch buffets and refreshment breaks will provide further excellent networking opportunities. We currently have over 410 people scheduled to attend the event and if our "late-registering" friends do as they have in the past, that number of attendees could well double over the next 30 days. For those of you with questions about the effect of SARS in Toronto and on the event, you can find more details on the Summit website www.gigse.com.
An Event for Affiliates
Also new to GIGSE this year is a special one-day conference for affiliate marketing specialists. Produced in cooperation with the Internet CASINO Affiliate Marketing Association, the Affiliate Marketing Conference (AFFCon) is designed to offer affiliates and affiliate managers the ultimate experience for networking and lead generation. This conference was brought about by heavy demand from the very progressive affiliate marketing sector.
For further information on GIGSE 2003, visit www.gigse.com.
Interested in Exhibiting?
Companies servicing the I-gaming industry are finding tradeshows to be the most effective way to generate new business. GIGSE brings product and service providers both quality and quantity when it comes to potential clientele. That's why GIGSE has, by far, the most expansive exhibit floor you'll find at an I-gaming event. For a little more than the cost of sending a few company representatives, you can have your own stand.
For more information on exhibiting, contact exhibit@rivercitygroup.com or call 1-636-946-0820.
Additional I-Gaming Events
The River City Group also recently announced the dates for three additional international conferences. The first of the three, the European Interactive Gaming Congress & Exp (EIG) will be held in Barcelona Nov. 11-12, 2003. The event, co-produced by ATE (producers of the International Casino Exhibition), is in its second year of existence. Then, from Dec. 6 to Dec. 9, the River City Group and the Council for International Tax Education Inc. will host their second annual legal/accounting seminar (with professional educational credits), titled "Emerging Issues for Entertainment and Interactive Gaming Operations." This year's conference will be held on Paradise Island in the Bahamas. Rounding off the list of upcoming events is the second annual Pacific Congress on I-Gaming (PCIG), a regional conference and expo to be held March 1-3 in Sydney. Finally, if you're all about planning ahead, the sixth annual GIGSE is slated for Toronto May 17-19, 2004.
For more information on upcoming conferences in the interactive gambling business, visit http://www.rivercitygroup.com