In our endless effort of giving you all the inside stories, updates and informations about the Eastern European Gaming demographic, we have manage to interview Milena Savcheva, who is the Conference Coordinator at EEGS. The EEGS(Eastern European Gaming Summit) is run in parallel with BEGE Expo(Balkan Entertainment and Gaming Expo) and shall between 23-25 November 2015 in Sofia.
She will enlighten you in regards of these to important conferences in the region, which are a must attend if you are looking to build your business in Eastern Europe. We would also like to thank her for this opportunity for being their media partner and we shall strive to bring you the full and most up-to-date informations daily.
EEG: First of all we would like to know more about you. How did you end up in the industry, and what are you plans for the future?
Milena: Let me start with a thank you for this opportunity to present our events to your audience. I am grateful and proud to be part of them and to contribute to their future development and expansion.
I am involved in the industry for almost 3 exciting years now. My journey into the gaming started in the summer of 2012 as intern at Balkan Entertainment and Gaming Expo. Three months later I was invited to become part of the team as Marketing Assistant. In the autumn of 2014 I was entrusted with organization of EEGS 2015 as Conference Coordinator.
Being part of such a dynamic industry for several years now, I am already used to flexibly adapt my plans for future to the rapidly changing circumstances in order to be able to accept any professional challenge that could arise. At the moment I am investing all my efforts to organize a very successful 8th edition of EEGS in November!
EEG: What is the Eastern European Gaming Summit all about for you personally?
Milena: For me EEGS is a great opportunity for networking with a very broad scope of people – from law experts to regulators and professionals from the industry. It is also a chance to see how the land lies in regard of the latest regulatory and technological trends.
My work on the organization of the event also allowed me to gain a thorough knowledge of the industry across the region and the rest of the world. For me, each EEGS is unique and unforgettable, and my ultimate goal is to make each edition better than the previous one. It’s one of the most exciting and tense periods throughout the year for me but it’s always worth it!
EEG: As we know, Eastern European Gaming Summit already has a history in Eastern Europe. When did it get started and what is its mission? Has it taken a huge effort to build it?
Milena: The first edition of the Eastern European Gaming Summit took place in 2008. It became reality due to the tireless efforts of a team of highly motivated and dedicated people that allowed to establish it in just a few years as the most prestigious forum and an annual focal point for gaming professionals in the Balkans.
We do our best to add each year something new as topics and speakers to the concept. For example, rapid advent of new remote gaming technologies, related regulation changes and their impact on the land-based industry will take a center stage in the program of the next edition. This is our mission – bridging the gap between all stakeholders in order to explore and present the changing gaming landscape regarding the development of the industry with focus on Eastern Europe and beyond.
EEG: What about the Balkan Entertainment and Gaming Expo (BEGE Expo)? Could you fill us in on the details of why this Expo is special? When did it get started?
Milena: Balkan Entertainment and Gaming Expo (BEGE Expo) started in 2008 as a parallel event of EEGS, both organized by the Bulgarian Trade Association of Manufacturers and Operators in the Gaming Industry. Since then it has established as a must-attend event for every company which would like to promote its products and latest technology innovations in the Balkan markets. It is the most important trade show in the region that supports local manufacturers and allows land-based and online operators to take advantage of various new business opportunities, innovative solutions and new technologies. Last year’s show was a huge success, according to both exhibitors and visitors. This year’s BEGE Expo is expected to have even more attendance as some of the leaders in the industry have already reserved their preferred booth locations. The rich accompanying program, including the annual BEGE Awards, Miss Gaming BEGE beauty contest, Round table of casino operators with The Bulgarian State Commission on Gambling, also has a great merit for its success.
EEG: Judging by the speaker lineup, it will probably be a huge attraction this year as well. Has the registrants number increased since the last few years?
Milena: We are still at an early planning stage regarding the conference agenda for the upcoming edition but as you can see on our website, last year’s speaker line-up was really good and diverse. We do have lasting partnerships with major international gaming institutions such as IMGL, AGEM, RGA, IAGA, IAGR, GREF, which also have representatives among the speakers. We will also have an IMGL Masterclass and a Global Gaming Women Networking panel which was introduced last year in cooperation with the American Gaming Association. We will announce the complete agenda in May, but sponsorship packages are already finalized. At this stage we can definitely promise to our audience that EEGS 2015 will meet their expectations, bring together world’s leading figures and companies from the industry.
Regarding the registrants number, in 2013 we marked a 25 % percent increase of the attendance, and in 2014 there was a 30% growth. We are extremely happy that we manage to attract more and more interest with every edition of the event.
EEG: We also noticed a huge interest shown by the top level operators in Eastern Europe, has that been a success for them? Is there a high number of feedback?
Milena: Eastern European Gaming Summit is an important nexus for every industry expert and professional who is eager to gain insight on the current legislation, technology and market trends and updates across the region. Operators are particularly interested to keep pace with the latest developments in business environment and learn about best modern practices. Not surprisingly, each edition attracts more and more top level operators from Eastern Europe and beyond. Their interest is also boosted by the fact that the conference is held in a country like Bulgaria, which can serve as an example in terms of legislation and development of the industry as a whole. This conclusion was supported also by the very positive feedback from the previous editions.
EEG: Referring to the affiliate side of the event. How can this crowd of professionals benefit of the knowledge that was and will be shared at the 2 events?
Milena: The fact that the two events are organized simultaneously in the same venue, Inter Expo Center in Sofia, contributes substantially to their success. By conducting BEGE Expo and Eastern European Gaming Conference as co-events, we manage to bring under one roof the theory and practice of the gaming industry. Many of the trends and topics discussed at the conference can be seen as real technology developments during BEGE Expo. So I think this format is extremely successful.
EEG: What do you think about EEG? Could you give us your thoughts on our mission, the one to build a bridge between Western and Eastern European Gaming world?
Milena: You have been really doing a great job! Honestly, I do read your news daily and I truly believe your work is crucial for raising awareness of everything happening in the industry across the region. You are a bright rising media star for the industry in Eastern Europe. Кeep going with the great work and quality content!
EEG: Ok, here comes the fun part. What is your favorite food and if you would have to pick a country in Eastern Europe to travel to, where would you go?
Milena: Interesting question. My favorite food is fried zucchini with yogurt-dill sauce. As for the country, for a traveler soul like me it’s hard to point out just one favorite destination. Every country has its own splendor and gives you a whole new experience when exploring it. I definitely would like to see more from Romania, Czech Republic and, why not, some summer music festival in Ukraine!
EEG: And as a closing question, which is not really a question, more like an opportunity to spread the word… advertise your event.
If you are an industry expert, lawyer, manufacturer, operator or another gaming professional, join the 8th edition of EEGS to share experience, learn about latest developments, network with interesting people, have fun! Get involved to get insight into the future of the industry!
