Attendees at the third edition of the SBC Summit North America will immediately notice one significant difference. Because of demand from vendors, exhibitors, and attendees the conference, scheduled for May 9-11 at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in New Jersey, will add a lower level to the show floor.
“Now we can accommodate over 60 exhibitors, providing more space and meeting rooms for everyone,” says SBC VP Americas Cristian Robalino. “We’re definitely on a growth trajectory.”
More than 3,500 attendees are expected for the third installment of the conference. Operators including Bally’s, Bet365, Caesars Entertainment, FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, and 888 Holdings are scheduled to participate.
“It’s worth noting that we’ll also have a significant number of affiliates attending the event as compared to last year,” Robalino says. “We’re expecting over 400 affiliate representatives, a significant growth from last year.”
New this year are three Tribal categories — Tribal Gaming Operator of the Year, Tribal Regulator of the Year, and Tribal Leader of the Year – to be awarded at the SBC Awards Summit North America event May 11 at the New York Hilton Midtown in Manhattan. There also will be new app dedicated to event.
“We have also expanded our conference agenda to include a new stage that will cover emerging tech and new markets,” Robalino says. “The agenda will also feature a special focus on investigating the growth potential of igaming. This is an area that has been overshadowed by sports betting until now, so we’re excited to bring this fresh content to our attendees.”
Returning this year is The Player Protection Symposium on May 9 at the Altmann Building in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan. Dedicated to building a harm prevention ecosystem in sports betting and igaming, Robalino says the symposium sessions – and limiting attendance to 300 – enable a more focused discussion of responsible and problem gaming issues.
“We’ve made this intentional decision to keep the discussions focused and create an environment that promotes networking and in-depth discussions on this important topic,” Robalino says. “Conferences can often be hectic, with attendees running around and scheduling numerous meetings. By keeping the event limited in capacity, we ensure that ample time and attention are dedicated to Player Protection specifically.
Networking events, including the Global Gaming Women Meet-Up Breakfast, African Americans in Gaming Drinks and Networking, and Tribal Gaming Meet-Up Breakfast, will be among the many events for participants to meet and exchange ideas.
“These events offer incredible opportunities for industry professionals to connect, collaborate, and build meaningful relationships,” Robalino says. “Over the years, we have seen our networking events grow in popularity, creating a dynamic environment where like-minded individuals can come together, share insights, and explore potential business opportunities.”
Robalino would not commit to any future plans or further expansion of the SBC North America Summit. He did admit that the possible legalization of sports and casino betting in Texas, an online casino gambling bill that’s pending in New York, and the constant evolution of the gaming industry could result in changes.
“Will this translate into adding an extra day to our North American event? I don’t know,” Robalino says. “We’re all about listening to our attendees and identifying the needs of our audience. If our attendees tell us they want more, we’re open to expanding or adding offerings. Our goal is to create an event that meets our audience’s unique needs and expectations, and we’re always keen to listen to their feedback and make informed decisions based on it.”
