Ahh, finally- our beloved GIGSE is back. This gaming conference will always have a special place in my heart as it was the very first conference I attended with Casino City at the beginning of my igaming career back in 2005. I attended this show (and several choice Montreal strip bars) in ’05, ’06, and ’07, and then GIGSE was deactivated due to the passing of the UIGEA. Now GIGSE is back in 2010, but why?
Rather than focusing on the current state of the North American igaming market, this year GIGSE will focus on what will happen when the market is regulated, and how organizations can position themselves for success when these changes do eventually occur. There are different regulatory scenarios that the industry has been talking about and anticipating, and GIGSE 2010 will bring together many of the individuals who are heavily involved with these potential scenarios.
Bottom line, this conference taking place May 11-13, 2010 will help you plan for and help influence the development of a regulated North American igaming market. While you’re at it, GIGSE will also provide a platform to explore partnerships and joint ventures between land based companies and online gaming businesses, something that I think we’re going to see a lot more of very soon. All affiliates are welcome to attend GIGSE for free so long as they sign up through the GPWA before the end of May 6th, so there is certainly some business to be done on the affiliate side of the industry at GIGSE as well. Registration for everyone else is easiest and quickest online in advance, and you can pick and choose your packages accordingly.
Throughout our days in Montreal, Clarion is providing a number of opportunities for delegates to listen, learn, discuss and network during GIGSE 2010:
-practical pre-conference workshops on the 11th
-two full days of informative panels and sessions
-long lunches and refreshment breaks for sober networking so you can actually remember your conversations
-pre-conference cocktails on the 11th and the official GIGSE party on the 12th so you can get drunk, take your clients to the strip bar after, and not remember any of your conversations
In addition to summarizing what you can pretty much find for yourself on the GIGSE website, I do have some juicy personal recommendations for you. First, if you are thinking of attending a panel or two, I suggest that you check out Strategic debate: Intrastate vs. federal initiatives – the way forward from 14.30-15.15 on May 12th and North American iGaming industry 2020: Impact of the iGaming regulations in North America on the industry’s dynamics from 14.15-15.00 on May 13th. Why? These panels sound pretty interesting to me…and because we’ve got some pretty opinionated and passionate people sitting on these panels which always makes for an interesting discussion.
My other recommendations consist of social activities to enjoy while you’re in Montreal, something along the lines of the best restaurants, terraces, supper clubs, clubs, after hour clubs, dive bars, and strip bars available in the entire city. Ya, it’s going to be good, but you’re just going to have to wait until Friday’s Becky’s Bender to find out what they are.
Until Friday, I recommend that you brush up on your French…anyone who has been to Montreal knows that the French Canadians hate speaking English!
