The SiGMA Asia Summit in Manila, was nothing short of a sensational success making headlines and an incise industry impact as it hosted over 12,000 delegates in the Philippine capital’s largest convention centre, the SMX.
A national influence
The eagerly anticipated event was most notably endorsed by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) a highly influential agency in the Southeast Asian nation’s gaming industry.
An objective SiGMA Group has brought to fruition in hosting this Summit was to bring our vast network in the West to the most influential and significant forces within the Philippine and Asian sectors.
Opening Ceremony
PAGCOR Chairman, Alejandro H. Tengco addressing the SiGMA Asia Delegation.
Embraced with open arms, PAGCOR’s Chairman and CEO, Alejandro H. Tengco was present with SiGMA Group Founder, Eman Pulis to open this, SiGMA Asia’s very first event.
Presented with a gifted portrait from SiGMA in recognition of PAGCOR’s inspirational support of the event, the Chairman also took to the stage to give an opening keynote address.
Beginning by expressing gratitude for all the hard work he inherited as Chairman of the corporation, Tengco brought an abundance of local industry insights in the form of PAGCOR’s plans for the future.
He stated:
“Engagements like this are an effective platform to communicate the organisation’s drive to revitalise the gaming sector in the Philippines. Ensure integrity of gaming industry, seamlessness in curbing illegal gaming operations.”
Tengco touched on numerous aspects of PAGCOR’s plans, such as the upgrade and revisiting of regulations and the accompanying regulatory manuals, new project launches, revenue efforts to sustain nation-building projects by the government of the Philippines as well as the landmark shift of the organisation to purely regulatory duties.
Highlighting the cutting edge and recognising excellence
The Conrad Hotel’s Grand Ballroom hosted the SiGMA Asia Awards.
The first day of the Internationally acclaimed event was closed by the SiGMA Asia Awards, which brought an evening of prestige and buzzing excitement to the Conrad Hotel’s Grand Ballroom.
The generously sponsored BetConstruct-event recognised a total of 26 outstanding companies, showcasing their cutting-edge projects, exceptional services and innovative achievements.
The event also honoured Alejandro Tengco once again for his and PAGCOR’s outstanding contributions to the global gaming sector.
The event was not concluded with the last award, however, as a charity auction in support of the philanthropic organisation, SiGMA Foundation.
Several unique artworks were up for grabs in the spirited bidding contest that included an enigmatic portrait of Filipino national hero and legendary boxer Manny Pacquiao, which sold for €4,000.
SiGMA Foundation
Board Chairperson of the SiGMA Foundation, Keith Marshall.
SiGMA Groups’ philanthropic arm has long sought to make a positive difference in various affected areas across the world.
The inaugural SiGMA Asia Summit gave the Foundation an opportunity to interact with its esteemed platform when Board Chairperson, Mr Keith Marshall took to the SiGMA/AGS stage the morning after the SiGMA Asia Awards.
He made an impassioned statement about the enthusiastic and careful work that continues to be carried out:
“I am so glad that the Foundation was given a voice to strive for the voiceless. Putting me on the SiGMA stage here to discuss what we do and how we can collectively work to appease the plight of so many souls across Ethiopia, Colombia and the Philippines has been inspiring. Let’s continue doing what we can, when we can, for whom we can”.
Incisive keynotes and re-imaginative industry discussions
SiGMA Summits are world-renowned for the industry-leading insights that are brought to the events and for the uplifting visibility the platform provides to innovative new ideas.
SiGMA Asia’s maiden event brought innumerable fresh, industry-moulding discussions from global sector leaders.
The panel featured Shin Boo Ponferrada a true Esports authority, who brought decisive knowledge to the discussion. He discussed with his fellow panel members Marco Kowalevski Starzz LLC Founder, Co-Founder of Daredevil Media Jared Dillinger, and Alex Chernavin, Senior Development Manager at Oddin.gg.
A range of diverse topics was discussed, such as AI nullifying the ability for players to cheat using unauthorised information, the nostalgic importance of many esports concepts and components and the profound capabilities AI has to enhance seminal areas of the sector such as first-person shooter offerings.
Marketing beyond your target market
Clinton Sparks.
Entrepreneurial visionary and award-winning DJ, Clinton Sparks also made a conference appearance.
Giving a keynote address where he re-centred numerous marketing techniques, Sparks focused on expanding companies beyond their current target markets and unlocking the true potential of the gaming industry.
Acknowledging the negative perceptions that many have regarding the gaming industry, Sparks explains how an enterprise can use new approaches that focus on alternative language and connect with people on a more personal level.
The truly positive impact gaming has had and how bringing a diverse approach to communicating with numerous audiences across various platforms was also touched upon in the highly informative speech.
Start-ups and sensational opportunities
SiGMA Asia also gave a host of cutting-edge start-ups an unparalleled opportunity to showcase their most unique concepts and viable ideas to the industry-leading delegation in the form of SiGMA’s coveted exhibition floor.
An impressive number of start-ups were set up across the SMX Convention Center in colourfully exciting booths to display their enterprising ideas in the most creative way imaginable.
SiGMA Pitch
The SiGMA Pitch Competition also saw a return, bringing an even greater opportunity to 6 carefully selected start-ups from the expo floor.
These chosen enterprises were given the prestigious opportunity to Pitch their most unique concepts live on stage before a panel of seasoned professionals and industry-moulding individuals.
Although every contestant benefited significantly from the inspiringly positive exposure, Credexon emerged as the biggest winner, taking the prize with great delight while stating:
“It was really nice for SiGMA to recognise us and to be able to bring something different while still being acknowledged by the market.”
Credexon, SiGMA Asia Pitch winners.
Centurion FC
MMA fight promotion Centurion also made its pulsating presence known, bringing an interesting format to Casa Ibarra, Manila, on the fight card titled: CFC Rex Orientem.
Attendees exuberant witnessed a thrilling 4-man tournament which culminated in the main event title-awarding bout.
This event marked the fourth and pen-ultimate 4-man tournament forming part of the Centurion FC series intended to climax at the Champions of Champions event later this year where an undisputed Champion will rise above the rest of the field.
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Sunset on SiGMA Asia
The SMX Convention Center, Pasay Manila, The Philippines.
Hosting numerous inaugurating events this year, SiGMA’s Asia Summit was no exception to the great successes SiGMA group continues to enjoy.
Bringing unparalleled networking opportunities that connect industry leaders, regulatory powers, innovative start-ups and impactful affiliates together, creating intrinsic industry bonds and a far more supportive infrastructure surrounding the globally significant gaming sector.
Held against the storied backdrop of both a historic and emerging hub in the Philippine capital of Manila, the SiGMA Asia Summit achieved the ambitious objectives set by the organisation to the highest level with only more exceptional events to follow.
SiGMA Balkans/CIS
As a globally recognised nexus for networking, SiGMA Group sets its sights next to the Balkans this September, when the SIGMA Balkans/CIS Summit heads to Limassol Cyprus.
A host of networking opportunities and industry-leading knowledge will be emanating from the much-anticipated event which will pack panel discussions, keynote speeches, start-up pitches and much more into 3 days in the diverse Cypriot city.
