The SBC Summit North America is making its return to New Jersey. The summit, which has emerged as one of the most recognized conferences and tradeshows in the sports betting and iGaming sector will be held in the Garden State between 12th and 14th July 2022. The 2021 SBC Summit North America was one of the most successful and best-attended iterations of the event and organizers are hoping to replicate the results during this year’s summit.
The 2021 edition brought together all the top players in the sports betting and iGaming sector in the North American region. This year’s festivities are expected to be no different. Organizers are confident that they will beat last year’s attendee record as the show floor tickets have already been sold out. The show floor is going to be held at the Meadowlands Exposition Centre in Secaucus, New Jersey.
The summit will feature 3 days of well-planned events such as the Player Protection Symposium, as well as the yearly SBC Awards. The awards show will be held at Pier Sixty in Manhattan on 14th July. The summit will bring together players in the gaming industry including sports betting operators, iGaming companies, betting regulators, betting affiliates, as well as suppliers.
According to the organizers of the yearly event, last year’s event was filled with positive reviews from both speakers and attendees. As such, the organizers are keen on ensuring that this year’s event is even more successful than the last. Sue Schneider, who is in charge of Growth and Strategy for SBC even revealed that the organizers already had plans in place to make this year’s iteration even more successful.
Those attending can expect some of the same great events, sponsors, speakers, and exhibitors that they experienced last year, as well as some new ones to keep things exciting. As is the norm with SBC events, the summit will bring all the most influential executives in the North American gambling space. These executives will share their experiences and tips while also detailing important trends to look out for in the gambling space this year.
Additionally, these executives also scrutinize some of the challenges that are facing the industry so that ideas can be generated among all those in attendance. As more markets are newly regulated in the region, the SBC summit ensures that the market remains competitive and progressive.
This year’s summit is looking to tackle a few key concepts and ideas including:
- The convergence of professional sports and entertainment with sports betting.
- Sports betting leadership.
- The growth and future of the iGaming sector
- Trends in sports betting technology
- Regulatory progress and legalization, as well as entry of new sports betting markets in the region.
- Investments in the sports betting sector from listed organizations as well as startups
- The development of payment systems and technology
- Strategies to attract and engage punters.
During this year’s iteration of the SBC Summit, more than 250 speakers are expected to speak over the 3-day event. SBC has already confirmed several speakers including representatives from some of the most recognizable sports betting brands. The lineup will include speakers and representatives from Penn National Gaming, FanDuel, Bally’s Corporation, Caesars Digital, Entain, BetMGM, Resorts Digital, and more.
The summit is also expected to attract a lot of attendees during the SBC First Pitch content, which is being held for the second time this year. Last year, the introductory SBC First Pitch competition was presented by Wagers.com. During the SBC Summit 2021, it helped to highlight the innovation and creativity of startups within the gaming sector in the region.
The event was held on the last day of the event as part of the Capital & Growth track. The inaugural pitch competition saw 5 startups pitch their innovations and business plans before a carefully selected panel of judges. In attendance were also industry executives, investors, as well as product selection teams. In the SBC First Pitch, the winner was awarded a prize package with an estimated value of an excess of $90,000.
The prize package will be used for the development and growth plans of the startup. The package included a $50,000 investment, a 1-year subscription to a research service worth an estimated $20,000, a media package for business promotion valued at more than $18,000, a logo design, as well as a consultation with principals from Stadia Ventures and SeventySix Capital.
Last year’s judges during SBC North America 2020 include a well-selected panel of esteemed professionals in the gaming industry. The panel was made up of Kiki Mills Johnston of Drive-by DraftKings, Managing Director of Sharp Alpha Directors Lloyd Danzig, and more. This event has never been more important, as the industry continually looks for ways to better the sector.
The competition has become an important part of generating highly creative ideas and products for the gaming sector. As a result of last year’s successful SBC First Pitch event, this year’s version is expected to encourage even more new businesses that are developing the next big industry innovation to attend the summit. Last year’s finalists gained a lot of exposure just by taking part.
Last year, the show floor also allowed major international suppliers to showcase their latest gadgets, games, content, and more to an audience of operators and casinos brands. Some of the brands in attendance during the floor show included IGT and PayNearMe, most of whom unveiled new products and services during the event.
For those attending, the conference has proven to be one of the best places to meet industry peers while generating useful networks and contacts. This explains why the floor show for this year’s summit has already been sold out. Many of the same exhibitors that were present in last year’s show will also be making their triumphant return to this year’s show, which is great news for anyone that missed last year’s summit.
Final Thoughts
After being forced to go virtual in 2020 as a result of the pandemic-related restrictions, the in-person SBC summit has become a treat for attendees. The event, which has been held at the Meadowlands Exposition Center has grown to become a must-attend conference for executives and businesses in the gambling sector in North America.
