Organising an event on the scale of the Feira Internacional de Lisboa & MEO Arena in Portugal's capital is a considerable challenge, especially when relocating from its previous home in Barcelona.

Dennis Algreen, Marketing Director of SBC Summit, shared in an exclusive interview with SoloAzar the logistical and organisational challenges he has faced, from creating new partnerships with suppliers to adapting to a space of over 100,000 square meters.

Despite these challenges, the industry response has been overwhelmingly positive, underlining the relevance and impact of this event in the iGaming world.

In this interview, Algreen offers an in-depth look at the obstacles overcome, the importance of figures such as Tony Hawk and Tim Berners-Lee, and the strategy behind an event that promises to be unforgettable.

At the beginning of the interview, Dennis was asked about the main challenges they faced in organising the SBC Summit, which this year is being held in Lisbon for the first time. He explained that, although the task of establishing contacts with new suppliers and coordinating with the venue might seem challenging, this was not the biggest difficulty. According to him, the chosen venue in Lisbon is highly professional and used to large-scale events, which made this aspect easier.

However, the real challenge lies in the scale of the event, which has grown significantly in recent years, from 2,000 attendees in 2021 to more than 14,000 in Barcelona last year, and with expectations of exceeding 25,000 participants in Lisbon. Algreen mentioned that "managing this scale and making sure everything runs smoothly is a significant logistical challenge", although he is confident that his team is up to the task.

In addition, Algreen shared that the transition to Lisbon has been an opportunity to improve the logistics and overall experience of the event. He highlighted that, unlike previous years, the venue in Lisbon offers capacity and facilities that will allow for a smoother and more comfortable experience for all attendees. The focus is on taking advantage of the features of the new venue to optimise every aspect of the event and ensure that the expectations of all participants are met.

Regarding the choice of keynote speakers, Algreen explained that Tony Hawk is not only a skateboarding legend, but also a successful multi-business entrepreneur with one of the best-selling video game series of all time. "Tony Hawk is an iconic figure, and his ability to build a globally recognised personal brand makes him an ideal speaker for the SBC Summit," said Algreen. "Our goal with the Super Stage is to provide a forum where we can present something bigger than traditional conference sessions, with great speakers from both within and outside the industry. Tony Hawk is a great example of this."

Algreen also mentioned that another keynote speaker will be Sir Tim Berners-Lee, the inventor of the World Wide Web. "Tim Berners-Lee is a seminal figure in modern technology, and his perspective on innovation and the impact of the internet is invaluable," commented Algreen. "The internet has transformed our lives in much the same way that electricity did in the past. Having Berners-Lee as a speaker adds a unique and enriching dimension to the event."

Another key point of conversation was about the specific topics included in the conference programme to address regulatory challenges in Portugal and Europe. Algreen explained that the SBC Summit agenda is extensive, encompassing more than 120 sessions spread across eight different stages over three days. Among the most relevant topics include regulatory challenges in Portugal and Europe, which will be addressed in several sessions throughout the sector-specific zones such as global leadership, casinos, sports betting, payments, player protection and esports. He underlined the importance of segmenting these zones for ease of navigation at an event of such magnitude, and noted the creation of dedicated spaces for key topics such as payments and affiliations, reflecting the growth and relevance of these sectors within the industry.

The conversation also addressed the development of the Portuguese market compared to other European countries and in relation to the Brazilian market. Algreen anticipates a strong presence of Brazilian companies at the event, interested in exploring and working in that market. In addition to the specific sessions, he highlighted the inclusion of new networking opportunities in a "Global Markets Lounge", a space designed to connect attendees with experts and stakeholders from specific markets, such as Brazil. This approach, according to Algreen, underlines the event's global vision and its ability to facilitate strategic connections in emerging markets.

Finally, Algreen was asked about the relevance of face-to-face events, especially in a context where virtual participation is increasingly in demand. Despite the rise of virtual events during the pandemic, Algreen stressed that face-to-face contact remains irreplaceable, especially in an industry where trust and personal relationships are paramount. "Face-to-face events offer unique networking and collaboration opportunities that cannot be replicated online," he said. For this reason, SBC Summit Lisbon has placed a strong emphasis on offering multiple networking opportunities, such as parties, dinners and dedicated spaces, so that attendees can interact and build relationships effectively.