6 Tips to Make the Most of Your Canadian Gaming Summit Experience

6 Tips to Make the Most of Your Canadian Gaming Summit Experience

This June, SBC will welcome 3,000 delegates from across Canada and beyond for the 28th edition of the Canadian Gaming Summit

The event is set to provide Canadian stakeholders with three unforgettable days of networking, an exhibition floor brimming with the latest technologies and services, and an educational conference agenda that will equip delegates (from any vertical) with the tools and strategies for success in the market. 

 We understand that when attending an event, there is a lot to think about. With so much on offer, how can you possibly fit in every meeting, visit every booth, and attend every conference session in just three days… all while staying stress-free?

Well, thankfully, we are here to help, from key preparations ahead of the event to utilizing our dedicated app, here are six essential tips to make the most of your time at the Canadian Gaming Summit.

Plan Ahead, Stress Less: Book Your Hotel and Tickets Early

Every year, we see delegates make the same mistake—waiting too long to book their accommodation and event tickets.

Not only does this create unnecessary stress in the lead-up to the event, but it could also mean missing out on discounted tickets or paying through the nose for the last remaining hotel rooms—or worse, missing out on accommodation altogether!

That is why booking your hotel and event ticket is the first crucial step in making the most out of your time at the event. Once that’s sorted, you can turn your attention to the things that really matter—like scheduling meetings with clients and planning which sessions to attend. But more on that later

For the upcoming Canadian Gaming Summit, we have partnered with some hotels in Toronto to secure exclusive hotel rates for anyone attending the event. 

Let’s take a quick look at some of the hotel options:

  • The Intercontinental: Situated in the heart of downtown Toronto, The Intercontinental Toronto Centre offers a prime location steps from the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, CN Tower, and Scotiabank Arena.
  • Hyatt Regency Toronto: Located in Toronto’s bustling Entertainment District, the Hyatt Regency is within walking distance of major attractions like the CN Tower, Rogers Centre, and Ripley’s Aquarium.
  • Toronto Marriott City Centre Hotel: Set inside the iconic Rogers Centre, the Toronto Marriott City Centre Hotel is perfect for sports enthusiasts and city explorers alike.

When it comes to purchasing your tickets, there really is no time like the present. Our Early Bird offer gives you full access to all three days of the event—including evening networking parties, conference sessions, and the exhibition floor—for just CA$695!

That is an incredible saving of CA$300

Top Tip: The deadline for our Early Bird offer ends on April 25th, so act quickly! Click here and secure your spot today! 

Use SBC Connect to Network Ahead of the Event 

Just as Luke Skywalker had his lightsaber and Batman had his utility belt, your ultimate tool at the Canadian Gaming Summit is the SBC Connect app—the official companion for the event.

With features like an interactive floor map, an online agenda, and access to post-event content, the app is designed to enhance every aspect of your experience. But one of its most powerful features? The ability to schedule meetings with key contacts FOUR WEEKS before the event! 

It’s a total game-changer for networking. No more sprinting around the exhibition floor trying to catch the right people or waiting at your booth hoping key leads walk by.

With full access to every registered attendee using the app, you can reach out in advance, secure meetings ahead of time, and arrive in Toronto with your meeting schedule fully booked!

Click here to read more about our SBC Connect App.

The app will become available a month ahead of the event.

Take Control of Your Conference Experience

The Canadian Gaming Summit’s conference agenda is where the delegates come together to share ideas, collaborate, and gain insights from the most experienced and influential professionals in the industry.

This year’s event will feature over 30 dynamic sessions across six dedicated tracks: Leadership, Sports Betting & Casino, Player Protection, Affiliates & Advertising, Cybersecurity, and Payments & Compliance.

With industry leaders already confirmed—such as Richard Schwar (Executive Director, OCGA), David Phillips (Chief Operating Officer, AGCO), David Pridmore (Chief Gaming Officer, OLG), Peter McMahon (Chief Executive Officer, CGAO), Paul Adams (Head of Marketing, BetMGM Canada), Al Watson (CEO, Dataworks Group), and Kris Abbott (Country Manager Canada, Stake.com)—planning your conference journey in advance is essential!

By preparing ahead of time, you’ll ensure you don’t miss a single influential speaker, timely topic, or unmissable keynote that could elevate your business to the next level.

To make your experience even smoother, you can add your favorite panels to your calendar directly from the online agenda. And once you’ve downloaded the SBC Connect App, you can star sessions in the interactive agenda to easily manage your personalized schedule—anytime, anywhere during the event.

Visit the Crown Corporations Lounge 

In an effort to deliver a truly pan-Canadian experience, the 2024 edition of the Canadian Gaming Summit extended invitations to Crown Corporations from every province—ensuring the event served as a national platform for collaboration and innovation, rather than being solely Ontario-focused.

A key part of this initiative was the introduction of the Crown Corporation Lounge on the exhibition floor. And great news—it’s back for 2025!

This exclusive area offers you the unique opportunity to engage directly with representatives from leading crown corporations, including the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC), Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG), and Alberta Gaming, Liquor & Cannabis (AGLC)—with more to be confirmed soon!

So if you are an industry stakeholder looking to build connections and engage with key decision-makers from across Canada’s Crown Corporations, the Crown Corporation Lounge should be at the top of your priorities list! 

The Crown Corporations Lounge will be located directly next to conference room 3. View the full floor map here. 

Less Walking (Aimlessly), More Winning: Tackle the Expo Floor Strategically

The Canadian Gaming Summit is set to welcome 75 top-tier brands to the show floor, including leading operators, affiliates, suppliers, crown corporations, and service providers.

Whether you’re looking to maximize networking opportunities or explore the latest industry innovations, planning your time on the show floor in advance can save you time, effort—and a whole lot of walking.

Remember that handy SBC Connect App we mentioned earlier? Your pocket-sized event companion is designed to help you get the most out of your show floor experience! 

The SBC Connect app offers a full list of exhibiting brands and sponsors, details on new product launches, recommendations for booths to check out, and an interactive floor map to help you effortlessly navigate the vibrant exhibition space! 

So don’t spend your time aimlessly wandering the floor—get ahead of the game and get your strategy in place!

Want to start now? Check out the show floor here. 

Don’t Miss Out on Attending Networking Events 

We recognize that networking is a vital part of any successful event experience. It’s a powerful tool for newcomers looking to make their mark, a catalyst for brands aiming to elevate their industry presence, and—let’s be honest—a great way to relax and recharge after a busy day on the show floor.

During the day, make sure to take full advantage of several dedicated networking spaces, thoughtfully positioned across the exhibition floor. From the Speaker Lounge and the SBC Connect Lounge to the Official Bar & Lounge and the Coffee Bar & Lounge (sponsored by NRT Technology)—these comfortable and relaxed areas are perfect for sitting down with potential leads—without ever being too far from the action.

In the evening, full event pass holders will enjoy access to two unforgettable networking parties.

The first is the Canadian Gaming Summit Opening Party, taking place at RS Sports Bar on Tuesday, 17 June. It’s the ideal way to kick off your week—pick up your badge early to skip the day-one queues, set up meetings for the days ahead, and connect with fellow attendees over complimentary drinks.

Then, on Wednesday, 18 June, the networking continues at the Official Networking Party, hosted at the iconic Hockey Hall of Fame. Expect high-level conversations, complimentary drinks and canapés, and the chance to let loose on the dance floor with a live DJ bringing the energy.

View the full networking schedule here. 

Get Your Ticket to the Canadian Gaming Summit: 

Early Bird Pass (Full Event Pass): Secure your Early Bird tickets for the event at just CA$695—a savings of CA$300—until April 28! This ticket grants you full access to the entire Canadian Gaming Summit experience, including the show floor, conference sessions, and exclusive evening networking events.

Expo Plus Pass: Includes access to the expo floor and all conference sessions (does not include access to evening networking events). Get Your Expo+ Pass at CA$195.

Complimentary Operator & Affiliate Passes: Operators and affiliates can apply for free passes, subject to approval. Apply for Your Complimentary Operator Pass. Apply for Your Complimentary Affiliate Pass.

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