Dear friends, as we continue and pave to road of the Eastern and Central European Gambling market, who’s to say we can’t mix fun with business? This is why we conducted this exclusive interview with Alex Pratt, the Head of Business at iGaming Business. I would like to take this chance to say “Thank you Alex!“, for answering our 101 questions. It’s a rare opportunity to interview someone and ask them over 100 questions in an interview. So, here goes, one of our greatest interviews.
EEG: Who is Alex Pratt?
Hard one. In business, someone who loves iGaming and the people who work within it. At home, a person who is super passionate about family.
EEG: What does iGB stand for?
iGaming Business
EEG: What is your position at iGB?
I head up the company as well as our sport division, which produces magazines, data and research for the business of sport.
EEG: Do you like what you do?
Love it! I am coming up to my 11th year and we have grown from one magazine that came out 4 x a year to a business that has several magazines, directories, events, and data products. More exciting is the fact we have so many more ideas to implement…. Watch this space!
EEG: Are you running a marathon in May?
Yes…. Well at least I will be attempting to… All in aid of MS. Anyone that wants to sponsor me click here https://www.justgiving.com/Alex-Pratt
EEG: How is training going?
Very hard!!!!
EEG: What is the next upcoming affiliate conference?
AAC is next which will be taking place in Amsterdam June 23rd – 25th
EEG: What does the initials AAC stand for?
Amsterdam Affiliate Conference
EEG: What does iGSS mean?
The iGaming Super Show – This is basically an umbrella brand for all the events that take place in Amsterdam including the Amsterdam Affiliate Conference.
EEG: How many shows are there embedded in the iGaming Super Show?
For 2015 we have eight events. The Amsterdam Affiliate Conference, the Financial partners Expo, the IMGL Master Class, the iGaming Executive Conference, the Player Acquisition Conference, the Payment Solutions Summit, Gaming in Holland, and Betting Trends and Strategies (BeTS).
EEG: Who is Michael Caselli?
He is our Editor-in –Chief and has been in the industry pretty much since it started. He is also a great guy and someone that is truly unique!
EEG: Are there many affiliates going to the event?
Amsterdam is the home of affiliate events and not only an excellent city but one that is easy to get so yes we expect a lot in attendance.
EEG: How many?
At least 1,200.
EEG: Do you think it’s going to be a success?
I am truly excited about the event and really believe it will be success. It has grown year on year and people lover Amsterdam in June plus we are introducing lots of new features to grow it further.
EEG: Is BAC moving?
Yes
EEG: By the way, what does BAC mean?
Originally Barcelona Affiliate Conference, then Budapest Affiliate Conference and then back to Barcelona…. For some reason our October event keeps staying in cities with a B.
EEG: Where is BAC going to be held this year?
Berlin – So oddly a B again!
EEG: When is it going to be organized?
It taking place at the same time of the year Oct 22nd – 25th
EEG: Do you speak german?
Nein
EEG: Do you have a dog?
I wish
EEG: How long have you been in the industry?
11 years in September! My first week in the job was Vegas, I couldn’t ask for a better introduction
EEG: Do you have any future plans?
To get bigger and better.
EEG: Are there going to be many speakers at the AAC?
Over 100 and many of these you will have never seen at a gaming conference. Amsterdam always has the best speakers.
EEG: How about stands?
Because of the combined events the expo floor is huge and ranges from finance brands like 24Option to gaming guys like William Hill through to suppliers like Microgaming and Playtech.
EEG: Do the affiliates enjoy their time at such events?
Hugely – Our feedback os always in the vast majority positive and if it isn’t we will make sure we get in touch and not make that mistake again.
EEG: How?
Mixing business with pleasure
EEG: Do you expect affiliates coming from each part of the world?
Our delegates come from all over the world – Its genuinely a global event.
EEG: How many countries are you expecting delegates from?
Over 70
EEG: Do you have a cat?
I know you will hate this answer but no and never would.
EEG: How is iGSS rated among the industry?
It’s now 6 years old and has taken a huge amount of work to get it to where it is but it’s now at a stage where its building momentum rapidly and gathering a lot of attention across the sector. It’s the biggest gathering of iGaming people.
EEG: Who can attend the AAC?
Anyone that works or is interested in the business of iGaming.
EEG: Is it free?
Six of the events are free apart. Two are not, the Player Acqusition Conference because we pay for a lot of high level non sector speakers and the executive conference as this is an approval only event for C-Level executives.
EEG: Where is it being held?
The Amsterdam Rai
EEG: Address?
Europaplein11, 1078 GZ Amsterdam, Netherlands
EEG: How can people get there?
Fly, train, run, swim, bike, drive, skip or walk. Amsterdam is super easy to get to and great value wherever you are bested.
EEG: How many days is it running?
The event runs for 4 days with the Gaming in Holland conference, networking events and welcome drinks on day one, the exhibition and conferences on days 2 and 3, and a networking event on day 4.
EEG: Are there going to be wild parties?
There is going to be LOADS – This time we have something for everyone from sponsored dinners to drinks to activities to massive wild parties… There will literally be a networking event to suit all tastes.
EEG: Do you smoke?
No not for years – E-cigs or Nicorette gum for me.
EEG: Are there many sponsors for the show?
We would expect around 30-50 sponsors on top of the exhibitors.
EEG: Is it hard to register for the event?
No super easy – Simpky click register on any of the event sites and add your details.
EEG: Have you ever smoked cannabis?
I never inhaled
EEG: Is there a brochure for the event?
Yes you can download the current one here http://www.igamingsupershow.com/news/igaming-super-show-brochure-now-available.
EEG: Do you like our website?
Love it – The Eastern and Central European market needed your product and great to see someone doing it.
EEG: Who is Shona Odonnell?
She is the person that makes everything happen literally! Also know as our Head of Operations.
EEG: Can affiliates gain knowledge of the latest SEO techniques at the event?
Definitely – BUT they have to pay attention and listen whether this is in the conference or networking sessions. People always assume no one gives secrets away but they do, you just have to listen.
EEG: Are there going to be Welcome Drinks?
Indeed.
EEG: Where? Where?
They will be at our official Hotel the Novotel at 3pm.
EEG: Why on earth did you choose Amsterdam?
Firstly it’s the original city where gaming affiliate events were held. Secondly its an amazing city with something for everyone. Thirdly its super easy to get to from anywhere in the world. And finally its pretty unique!
EEG: Are people dancing at the parties?
If that’s what you call dancing!
EEG: Is the iGaming industry good or bad?
It’s the good, bad and ugly bit mostly good.
Be sure to book you place for the Amsterdam Affiliate Conference which will be held on the 23rd – 26th June 2015 at RAI Exhibition and Convention Centre and remember, there is Free admission for ALL delegates!
EEG: You’ve answered 50 questions by now, was it hard?
Yes, my fingers are hurting!
EEG: Would you like to continue?
Anything for you.
EEG: Where does Alex come from?
From an area called the fens in the UK – We are famous for having webbed feet!!
EEG: Are you british?
Yep
EEG: Are you sure your not Italian?
Pretty sure
EEG: Would you like to change your name to Alessandro Pratto?
Almost – I like Alessandro Prattelli more.
EEG: Do you think the Amsterdam Affiliate Conference is going to be a huge success?
Definitely
EEG: Have you ever travelled to Eastern Europe?
Many times
EEG: Did you like it?
Some of my favourite cities in the world are in Eastern Europe.
EEG: What are iGaming Business Affiliate Events’s intention for new emerging markets in Eastern Europe?
We are actually planning an event soon in Eastern Europe – I can’t say much now but hopefully we will announce it soon.
EEG: Do you think the upcoming changes in the Dutch law on gambling is going to have a good impact?
Regulation always has different effects on different people – For some it will be great, for others not so good. Overall though I think regulation is good for the sector as long as its done properly.
EEG: That is what Gaming in Holland is all about, isn’t it?
This is an event that takes place the day before our exhibition and conference and is dedicated to the Dutch iGaming sector.
EEG: What is BETS?
It stands for Betting Trends and Strategies. It’s an event within the iGaming Supershow purely devoted to the sports betting market with its own dedicated conference and networking event.
EEG: What sort of attendees are at BETS?
We attract everyone from the sector including operators, suppliers and affiliates specializing in this increasingly important sector.
How about that Financial Partners Expo?
This is a show within the Super Show dedicated to the online financial trading sector including FX, binary options, CFDs and financial spread betting.
EEG: It has been around for years, hasn’t?
Just over a year, we launched in Jan 2014 with over 600 people attending the first one.
EEG: How many brokers usually attend the Financial Partners EXPO?
We tend to have around 30 exhibitors and another 30 more brokers attending. The market potential is huge though, especially once they start embracing performance marketing.
EEG: The Payment Solutions Summit include is dedicated for the payments sector. What is the usually agenda at this Summit?
Getting payments in and out is fundamentally one of the most important component of our sector and this conference provided education around this covering the most advanced technology, industry developments and legal issues.
In addition this year we will be introducing a payments industry dinner at the Supper club where professionals in the payments industry can network in one of the coolest restaurants in Amsterdam.
EEG: We’ve mentioned 4 conferences from the iGaming Super Show by now, which are the ones I’ve forgot about?
You also have the Player Acquisition Strategies event, which is an event for marketing professionals where we bring in speakers who you only ever see at TED or speakers that actually share genuine take home strategies.
Next, you have the iGaming Executive Conference, which is an approval only event for C-Level executives. This is where we bring together around 50-60 CEOs from the various operators in the market into a closed-door environment to network and learn from each other and our speakers.
EEG: Beside AAC, which is free, which is the list of conferences that have a cost for attending?
You already asked this. Just the Player Acquisition Conference and iGaming Executibe Conference are paid for.
EEG: Are you going to enjoy this event as usually?
Yep – Can’t wait, this is my favorite as it brings together the entire sector
EEG: What are your future plans?
The iGaming sector is full of opportunities and options and as such we have a huge list of ideas of what to do next but need to make sure we choose the right one and do it in the right way. So… for the moment I am going to keep stum but keep an eye as we will be launching new products as well as improving existing ones this year.
EEG: Can you name a couple of new markets that your company shall be focusing on in the next period?
North America is still extremely important to us in the long-term and we are the only company that has actually put in local infrastructure as well as launching a number of products there so we will continue to focus there.
Secondly the financial trading sector is extremely exciting for us. This is a young industry with big player values and limited knowledge around acquisition so we can transfer a lot of gaming experience into it.
EEG: Do you like soccer?
Sometimes but not my favorite sport.
EEG: Which is your favourite team?
England
EEG: I remember meeting you in Budapest a couple of years ago and you had pack of instant goulash, have you enjoyed it?
Yes, love it when I can get it!
EEG: Who is to be contacted in case of quotes to exhibit at the iGaming Super Show?
Speak to James King on [email protected] – He heads up all our business development and will know who best to help.
EEG: Is there a floor plan available that can be previewed?
Indeed, just email James or myself.
EEG: Do you encourage new affiliate programs to attend the AAC?
Definitely
EEG: Why?
Simply because everyone they meet will be a new source of traffic for them so the ROI they generate can be gigantic. My one piece of advice is don’t blow your budget on one event, some affiliates will promote you straight away bit many others want to see you last the test of time before they risk their precious traffic on you.
EEG: Are there any recruitment companies that are attending the iGaming Super Show?
Yes we always have a lot, which you can find on the networking app. In the past Betting Jobs and Pentasia have also exhibited or sponsored.
EEG: Who are your loyal sponsors and wouldn’t ever consider not sponsoring your events?
The vast majority of our exhibitors and sponsors book every single show, and have been doing so for years. Probably the most loyal is EGO who have been the silver sponsor since we launched 9 years ago and have done every event since including smaller events like Australia and France.
EEG: Are there going to be many prizes given away at the AAC?
I hope so – Usually there are tons!
EEG: Where can affiliates or delegates register?
Just click here http://www.igbaffiliate.com/events/amsterdamaffiliateconference/registration
EEG: What does the registration process involve?
Simply adding your information and you will be sorted.
EEG: Where can delegates accommodate themselves?
If you go to https://rai.onpeak.com/e/IGSS15/2#hotels all the information is there.
EEG: Is there an official hotel for the event, which one?
Yes it’s the Novotel like last year which is just 10 minutes walk from the venue.
EEG: What is the growth rate of delegates attending the iGaming Super Show, year by year if possible?
I am doing this interview on a plane to Vegas so would need to check but I would say roughly 15-20% average although the last two years have been a lot bigger.
EEG: What about networking? Is the Amsterdam Affiliate Conference a great chance to network?
For Amsterdam we have more networking opportunities than we have ever had before. Not only are we planning some amazing parties we will also be missing this with niche drinks like our Sports betting drinks sponsored by OpenBet or our Bingo industry drinks sponsored by WhichBingo.co.uk. We are also introducing networking dinners for specific people such as the payments and the marketing industry.
EEG: Is the networking app going to be available this year as well?
Yes, it will be available shortly.
EEG: Is there a positive feedback on the networking tool?
Great feedback. People seem to love it.
EEG: Is there any negative feedback coming from the users?
Just from the people that want to use the tool to spam so in a way that’s good!
EEG: How about food? Is there going to be an included dinner at the iGaming Super Show?
There will be food throughout the show and obviously outside the venue too. Make sure you get some Bitten Balls, (sp) – These are an amazing Dutch delicacy.
EEG: What is your favourite food?
Japanese – I love it!
EEG: Have you ever had a problem with an allergic attendee? Calling the ambulance and everything?
Don’t think so unless they kept it a secret! We are careful to be mindful of people’s food needs from allergies to religion.
EEG: So, you can say that the Amsterdam Affiliate Conference the food is safe?
I hope so – Definitely something I am not worried about.
EEG: Are there going to be any celebrities attending the iGaming Super Show?
Definitely – We have a possible one already who is HUGE – Its not confirmed yet but if it happens it will be an amazing piece of news.
EEG: Was this interview hard to do?
Extremely – I am knackered now!
EEG: Was is fun?
Errrrrr. Yes
EEG: Are you going to do it again?
Anything for EEG.
EEG: See you there?(AAC)
Not if I see you first!
