During the span of a very exciting week in Dubai, SiGMA managed to hold three separate conferences with 9,000 delegates drawn from across the world under one roof

With the conferences for SiGMA, Affiliate Grand Slam, and AIBC having come to a conclusive close in Dubai, we can only thank the great minds and tireless hands that made the event the success that it was. Many networking dinners and drinks, speaking panels, and other opportunities specifically tailored for our hardworking participants to unwind have been held throughout this eventful week. For those who couldn’t make it this time, here are some highlights of the event. 

SiGMA – AGS conference stage featured several heated debates:

Our conferences were graced by industry titans, leading entrepreneurs, and paramount figures in both the industry of gaming and affiliation. The conference agenda was bolstered by a number of well-known faces including Dr. Marwan Alzarouni, Dave Crane, Nick Spanos, Ben Goertzel, David Orban, Saeed Hared Al Darmaki, and much more.

Here’s what some of our speakers had to say:

“We have to make sure those great ideas are not compromised by the people who want to break them. We have to be one step ahead when it comes to security.” -Simas Simanauskas, Head of Payments at Connect Pay.

“Content is the heart and soul of marketing.” –  Baha Hamadi, VP Communications at Deep Knowledge Group

Esports making waves in the gaming industry:

SiGMA also brought the competitive billion-dollar world of Esports to its Dubai event both through conferences as well as an Esports Arena arena where a tournament sponsored by Esports technologies also took place.

These are the main discussions that emerged from the Esports conference discussions:

“Yes, regulation is unavoidable in Esports. Try to define the best rules, there’s room to be creative, innovative, and profitable even in a very regulated area. Work hand in hand with the authorities and try to build a regulation network that can fit both ends.” – Clement Martin Saint Leon, VP Regulation and Strategy at Groupe Barrière

“It’s very hard to convert a traditional sports player to an esports player. It’s a completely different audience.” – Paruyr Shahbazyan, CEO of Azuro

During these discussions, delegates had the chance to learn more about the future of Esports, the growing industry in the UAE, and the key trends impacting the sector – which is on track to reach $20.7 billion by 2027. 

The next generation of players making their mark on the battlefield competed for a prize pool totalling $10,000 at the Esports Arena. This area lit up by lasers and LCD screens, saw a number of high-profile guest players make an appearance as well as Geo Solovastru coordinating One Tap Gaming to victory in Dubai.

Inauguration of crowd favorite SiGMA Pitch in Dubai:

Pioneering entrepreneurs surrounded by top investors and mentors competed for a grand prize of up to $500,000 in equity investment and a slew of other advantages by pitching their ideas on stage.

The stand-out pitch from this year was Fanera. Fanera is the first social network for and by football fans. Their vision is to unite 3.5 billion football fans in one place to share their moments and connect with fans from around the world. 

Mohammed Kilany, CEO of Fanera and SiGMA Asia 1st Pitch crowned winner told us “Do not fall in love with your idea, fall in love with your execution. The product will go through a lot of changes, it is the vision that stays and this is what people will invest in. Our ambition is to be a global company with a great mission.” 

SiGMA – AGS gala Awards followed by charity auction for the SiGMA Foundation:

In an evening of celebration and achievement, the SiGMA – AGS Awards night honored some of the industry’s brightest minds, showcasing innovative solutions, leading content creators and affiliates. The honors recognised people whose devotion, competence, and foresight have elevated them to the top of their fields.

Some of the winners who took home the well-deserved trophy were:

Online Operator of the year – Betsson Group

Affiliate network of the year – Arabiclicks

Marketing Agency of the year – Growth Gurus

SAAS of the year – NotifyAI

During the event, a charitable auction was also held with famous artists donating their work to the SiGMA Foundation. 

In a thrilling bidding round led by Auctioneer Rick Goddard, an oil on canvas painting honoring horse racing by artist Derek Mason sold for €4,000, while The Lego Shorty NFT by Gnomevil sold for €2,500.

Expo floor twice as big as last year’s:

This year’s expo was double the size of last year’s. The expo floor was packed with booths, an Esports arena, three main stages, a media lounge, an investors lounge as well as a food court. Brands such as HyperSKU, Cross The Ages, Tiger Pay, UniGrid and more have exhibited with us this year showcasing their products and services for the 9,000 active delegates present. 

We would like to thank our speakers and delegates who engaged in constructive and open exchanges throughout the days of the summit for their active participation. Be part of SiGMA’s massive growth in North America by joining us for our next big expo in Toronto. We can’t wait to see you there!

Join us for SiGMA Americas – Toronto:

Toronto is the perfect hub for SiGMA’s growth in North America, making it a nexus of networking and business development in the region with regards to land-based, iGaming, sports betting, and more. Playing host to a massive iGaming industry, Toronto will be the home for the SiGMA Group’s initiative to link the industry pioneers of the continent together for 3 days of networking, workshops, and awards. To learn more about sponsorship and speaking opportunities or to inquire about attending the event, please contact Sophie on [email protected].