It turns out that combining SBC Summit North America with SBC Summit Latinoamerica was a decent idea after all.
The revamped SBC Summit Americas that took place last week in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, was not without growing pains. There were scheduling snafus and an internet issue on the first day, which made registration a nightmare as the masses arrived.
But it shows potential, and I think it will grow – the first year at any new venue is always unpredictable – and hopefully, the flaws will be smoothed over.
Here are 10 thoughts, personal and professional, on this year’s event:
- My Fort Lauderdale arrival started with a litany of woes. Lost eyeglasses somewhere en route, an Uber ride so off-kilter I had to get out and walk, tripping on a curb and falling (no damage, thankfully), and endured a complicated hotel entry system that should be banished everywhere. No matter, I survived.
- Even though I liked Seacaucus, New Jersey’s proximity to New York City, there’s something about waking up with palm trees right outside your door that mitigates your hotel’s many flaws.
- If you’re in the neighborhood, grab breakfast at Café Bastille Fort Lauderdale on SE First Street. A little expensive, but worth it. The food was superb, the vibe pleasant, and sitting on the patio by a waterway was sublime.
- A tip of the cap to the Broward County Convention Center staff. Always friendly, polite, and ready to help with any problems encountered. And the influence of SBC’s Latinoamerica contingent was noticeable. The atmosphere was much more festive and celebratory than in previous years.
- The panels I managed to get to were superb. Notably, Trading on the Future: Prediction Markets Are Here to Stay was one of the better sessions I’ve ever attended. Kudos to the panelists, notably attorney Daniel Wallach, who spoke with passion and eloquence, and Alex Kane, CEO of Sporttrade, who admirably (and sometimes, humorously) defended prediction markets.
- About that schedule: SBC would do well to stagger panels. It’s nearly impossible to attend sessions on time when there’s no break in between. It might help to start things a little bit earlier. SBC events have a well-deserved reputation for being gala gatherings of the gaming industry – presumably, that’s why nothing starts until 11 a.m. – but even beginning an hour earlier would be a great help.
- The food at the Summit was very good. Fantastic idea to issue cards to attendees to speed up lines at food booths.
- Shoutout to SBC’s Cristian Robalino, the ultimate fixer who, despite his harried schedule, always finds time to solve problems.
- Many thanks to Sportradar’s Behshad Bahzadi and PayNearMe’s Anne Hay for being gracious and thoughtful during one-on-one interviews.
- And finally, the CDC Gaming team: Unflappable and cool Grace Tan; the loquacious Andrew Scott, who inspires and knows more about the gaming industry than anyone I’ve met; Hannah Gannage-Stewart, our U.K.-based correspondent, a fantastic journalist and better person; and Cory Roberts, without whom there would be no CDC Gaming. He’s the best boss one could ever hope for. It’s an honor working with all of you.
