Inside Asian Gaming takes a look at what delegates can expect at this year’s IAG Academy Summit, taking place on 10 and 11 September at Hilton Manila, Newport World Resorts.
Some of the biggest names in the Asia-Pacific gaming industry are among more than 30 speakers locked in to take part in Inside Asian Gaming’s second annual IAG Academy IR Summit, taking place at Hilton Manila, Newport World Resorts, from 10 to 11 September 2024.
Highlighting the impressive convening power IAG has built over the years, the summit will kick off at 10am on Tuesday 10 September with a Keynote Address by the Chairman and CEO of Philippine gaming regulator PAGCOR, Alejandro Tengco. Chairman Tengco is expected to provide some unique insights into latest developments within the local gaming industry, which is in the midst of unprecedented growth despite a recent, high-profile ban on offshore gaming (POGOs).
The Day 2 Keynote will be provided by none other than Kevin L. Tan, the CEO of Philippine business conglomerate Alliance Global Group (AGI) and Chairman of Newport World Resorts (NWR) operator Travellers International Hotel Group Inc. NWR has gone through an executive reshuffle in recent months with a new CEO, COO and CFO in place, while AGI has promised to invest US$172 million into IR upgrade and expansion projects in 2024.
But there is plenty more for delegates to enjoy and learn from during this year’s IAG Academy Summit.
A highlight session will see Ciarán Carruthers, the CEO of Crown Resorts, take part in a special one-on-one chat with IAG titled “A conversation with Ciaràn Carruthers”.
In this 30-minute dialog, Carruthers will discuss Crown’s years-long journey from facing unprecedented regulatory and media scrutiny under its previous ownership to recently winning back casino licenses for its integrated resorts in Melbourne and Sydney after a transformation led by Carruthers.
Regulators and operators will also be well represented. One session that promises to attract plenty of interest is the President’s Fireside Chat, which will see Newport World Resorts CEO Nilo Rodriguez and NUSTAR COO Alan Teo take a high-level view of the local gaming market, while an Operator’s Panel will delve further into the details with guests David Jorden from Newport World Resorts, Trevor Hammond from NUSTAR and Evan Spytma from Clark’s Casino Plus.
In our annual Regulator’s Talk, PAGCOR’s SVP of Land-Based Operations, Licensing & Regulatory Group, Dan Cecilio, will be joined by former Australian regulator and advisor to the Macau government David Green as well as Khim Oudam from Cambodia’s CGMC to discuss latest developments on the regulatory front, while separately veteran industry consultant Niall Murray will examine the key considerations operators must be aware of when renovating their gaming properties or developing a new integrated resort.
Thailand remains a hot topic in the region, and another special guest keen to give his take on what Thailand’s first integrated resorts might look like is Paul Steelman – founder and CEO of renowned industry architecture firm Steelman Partners. He will be joined by Kelly Gass of San Marco Capital Partners to explore all aspects of the Thai casino opportunity.
2024 will also see IAG’s first Women in Gaming panel. This important session will be moderated by Newport’s Joy Andrade and feature an array of talented women from across the Philippine gaming industry: NUSTAR’s Kamae de Jesus, Okada Manila’s Dr Manida Lau, Newport’s Rhoda Lopez and PAGCOR’s Vina Oca.
And technology is at the forefront with a variety of sessions exploring the latest on the gaming front. Join Clayton Peister, Managing Director of Differential Labs, as he runs a workshop offering unique insights into how data can be properly utilized, and again when he features on a panel titled “Higher Intelligence: AI in the casino” alongside GLI’s Ian Hughes and TraffGen Global CEO Andy Caras-Altas.
Smart tables are also on the menu with an insightful session on the afternoon of Wednesday 11 September featuring representatives of Angel as well as Walker Digital Table Systems, while the IAG Academy Summit will conclude with a suppliers panel featuring representatives of leading slot machine suppliers Aristocrat, Aruze, Konami and Light & Wonder.
For more information on the IAG Academy IR Summit and to see the full program, visit iagacad.com.
