Conferences
Exclusive Interview with Shona ODonnell of iGaming Business

With under just two weeks until the London Affiliate Conference 2017 starts in the new venue at ExCel London, we had the pleasure of interviewing Shona ODonnell (iGaming Business) and talk about the most anticipated event in the affiliate calendar!
GAV: First of all thanks for taking the time for the interview Shona, we know how busy you are! Please be so kind and introduce yourself! It’s quite possible that there is 1% of our readers who don’t know your background 😉
Shona: My role is Head of Operations for iGaming Business, within this my responsibilities include marketing of all products, all of our events including LAC, developing new ideas and products and lots of other things. I’ve been here for almost 9 years and consider myself extremely lucky to work with such an amazing team in such a dynamic industry.
GAV: Give us a recap on last year, how did iGaming Business close 2016?
Shona: 2016 was an exciting year for us. Our acquisition by Clarion was completed at the start of the year and in May we moved into Clarion HQ. We saw all of our events grow year on year and we worked hard on improving the quality of the conference content and speakers at events. We also launched a new event just as we closed for the year with the Nordic Affiliate Conference. This is a smaller event that will focus purely on this key region.
GAV: LAC has come along way since 2007, how do you see it in let’s say another ten years?
Shona: If current growth is any indication I would expect it to be bigger by another 50%. I would like to see us providing a world class delegate experience backed by really good data technology helping to make the customer journey seamless. Networking will be even more valuable as we look at creating events that help people connect faster and with more ease to the right people.
I would hope that whatever it looks like it we still deliver it with passion and continue to work with the industry to meet their needs.
GAV: Fill us in on the latest news/developments regarding LAC 2017!
Shona: We have outgrown Olympia and this year we make the journey to ExCEL and East London, our new home. Personally I am really excited about this. It’s a world class venue and allows us the opportunity to grow, it means we are located in the same space as ICE and allows delegates and exhibitors to stay in one hotel for the gaming week.
GAV: Could you give us an estimate on how many people do you expect at LAC 2017?
Shona: Our expectation is to look after around 5,000 delegates. At the moment we are up over 25% on affiliate registrations from this time last year.
GAV: What will be different than last year’s conference?
Shona: The venue is a big change and we hope that it will be a permanent home for LAC for many, many years to come. While we are split over two floors it will feel very different to last year and much more inclusive.
We have had a full time conference producer working on the content and reaching out to speak to the affiliate community to find out what they really want to hear about. The tracks are more cohesive than before and we hope you will find real value in attending the sessions.
We have taken on board feedback about the networking events and this year they are all in walking distance to the official hotel, only 5 or 9 minutes. And they are in bars that allow us to control the volume so people can network effectively in selected quiet zones. Both are exclusively open for LAC delegates so please do come and join us.
GAV: Do you have anything special planned for LAC 2017?
Shona: We know lots of our clients are bringing celebrities, so there will be lots of opportunities for selfies with them. We have created a special LAC Snapchat filter, so make sure you use that on your selfies!
I am really, really looking forward to the awards. These are taking place on the final night of the event allowing everyone to relax and enjoy the night without the thought of having to get up and man their stand or attend lots of meetings the following day. Our theme is 1001 Nights, so expect an exotic night filled with surprises. There is lots of entertainment, including an amazing band and very cool DJ’s. We still have some VIP tables left and this year they the package has drinks and food included.
Keep an eye out on our Facebook page as we will be doing a few interviews via Facebook live!
GAV: What can affiliates expect from attending LAC 2017?
Shona: Not only the biggest, but also the best event in the affiliate industry! They will be able to meet with existing business partners, met new ones and create value partnerships. There are opportunities to attend the conference sessions and gain new, practical skills and insight that will have a real impact on their business. On top of this they will get to meet with friends, make news one and of course find time for some fun.
GAV: Do you expect the London Conference to be the largest to date?
Shona: Absolutely!
GAV: Shona, we wish you a Happy New Year, and all the best for LAC 2017 and the Nordic Affiliate Conference!!!
Still not registered for the London Affiliate Conference 2017, no worries you can do it here?!
Conferences
EEGS Affiliate Conference 2025 Moves to New Date and Venue

Organizers of the EEGS Affiliate Conference are excited to announce an important update for the upcoming 4th edition of the event. Originally scheduled for 25 November, the conference will now take place on 26 November 2025 at the Inter Expo Center (IEC) in Sofia, Bulgaria, and will be held during the BEGE Expo.
This strategic move creates an even stronger platform for affiliates, affiliate managers, operators, and industry stakeholders across the Balkans and Eastern Europe. By aligning with BEGE Expo and the main EEGS Conference, the Affiliate Conference will provide unparalleled opportunities for learning, networking, and brand exposure.
Expanded Benefits for Attendees and Sponsors
- One Pass – Full Access: Affiliate Conference passes now include entry to BEGE Expo and the EEGS Conference, offering a comprehensive experience across all three events.
- Unmatched Networking: Attendees will connect with thousands of professionals from the gaming, affiliate, and entertainment industries.
- Increased Brand Visibility: Sponsors and partners gain exposure not only at the Affiliate Conference but also throughout the region’s largest gaming and entertainment exhibition.
“By bringing all the events under one roof, we are creating the ultimate meeting point for affiliates and industry leaders in the Balkans. This change adds tremendous value for participants and sponsors alike,” said Nino Berezhiani, Marketing Manager at BEGE Expo and EEGS.
As the only affiliate-dedicated event in the Balkans, the EEGS Affiliate Conference continues to build its reputation as a must-attend gathering for strategic minds in gaming, entertainment, and digital marketing. The new date and venue will ensure even more impactful discussions, trend exploration, and partnership opportunities in one of the fastest-growing regions in the industry.
Conferences
Aff.Tech at SBC Summit Lisbon 2025: Dozens of Meetings, Packed Booth, and Silver Award Recognition

At SBC Summit Lisbon 2025, Aff.Tech showcased why it stands as the Affiliate Platform for Champions. Over the three-day event, booth C350 (shared with GR8 Tech) became one of the busiest spots of the exhibition, filled with operators and platform providers eager to discover how Aff.Tech drives affiliate management with automation, scalability, and precision.
The results spoke for themselves: constant traffic at the booth, dozens of productive business meetings, and a strong pipeline of new opportunities. This overwhelming interest confirmed the growing demand for Aff.Tech’s technology among operators seeking to streamline affiliate programs and unlock new levels of performance.
Aff.Tech’s impact was further validated at the Affiliate Leaders Awards, where the company proudly took Silver in the “Affiliate Management Platform of the Year” category—a recognition of its innovation and growing influence in the market.
As part of its presence at SBC, Aff.Tech also introduced its Aff Yourself campaign—a movement to empower operators to take control of their affiliate business, set their rules, and grow without limits.
Mariia Shmelova, CEO of Aff.Tech, said, “The energy around our booth proved that operators are actively searching for solutions like Aff.Tech. Our platform is built to give them complete control, transparency, and automation so they can scale faster and focus on what really drives growth. Getting Silver “Affiliate Management Platform of the Year” shows that the industry recognizes our progress and direction.”
Valerija Reca, Business Development Manager at Aff.Tech, added, “For three days, our team was engaged non-stop in high-quality discussions with operators from around the world. They see Aff.Tech as a partner that combines reliability, flexibility, and scalability—exactly what’s needed to manage affiliates effectively in today’s competitive environment.”
With a packed booth, dozens of successful meetings, and award-winning recognition, Aff.Tech closed SBC Summit Lisbon 2025 as one of the exhibition’s standout success stories. The company left Lisbon with a clear message: affiliate management is evolving, and Aff.Tech is leading the way as the Affiliate Platform for Champions.
Affiliate Announcements
Affiliate Leaders Summit Grows 40% as Global Operators and Affiliates Flock to Lisbon

Following a successful run, the Affiliate Leaders Summit will make its return to the Feira Internacional de Lisboa (FIL) this September, now expanded to a three-day format and featuring the debut of the Affiliate Leaders Awards.
Taking place from 16–18 September, the Affiliate Leaders Summit runs alongside SBC Summit as a focused, standalone platform for affiliates, affiliate managers, and enabling suppliers. It also delivers a more targeted networking and learning experience, with a dedicated content stage and curated audience of 8,000 operator representatives and 3,500 affiliates.
Affiliate Leaders Summit delegates will also enjoy full access to wider SBC Summit features, including evening socials, the main expo floor, and Super Stage keynotes from leading voices such as Gary Vaynerchuk.
Rasmus Sojmark, Founder and CEO of SBC, said: “Last year’s launch of the Affiliate Leaders Summit was a big milestone for us. The response was incredible, but we knew we could do even more. That’s why this year, we’re giving it the time it deserves; three full days to ensure attendees can take in everything this event has to offer.
“We’re also introducing the Affiliate Leaders Awards, which I’m personally very excited about. Affiliates play a vital role in this industry, and it’s time we had a platform that truly celebrates their work alongside the operator programmes and suppliers who help make it all happen.”
A 40% expansion of the 2025 show floor also underscores the event’s rising influence, following 2024’s debut that earned standout NPS ratings—79 from affiliates and 68 from operators. This year’s exhibitor list is stacked with leaders of the field, including Catena Media, Clever Advertising, Evoke, Flashscore, Kaizen Gaming, Medier, Megapari, Novibet, and Shake, offering attendees direct access to key players across the affiliate and operator landscape.
On the conference side of things, the Affiliate Leaders Stage at this year’s summit delivers a powerful three-day journey through the evolution of affiliate marketing, starting with the martech tools redefining performance and partnerships, moving into audience-focused strategies that tap into community-driven SEO and smarter collaboration, and culminating in a forward-looking exploration of AI, diversification beyond Google, and the future role of affiliate managers.
With debates, CEO insights, hands-on workshops, and panels tackling everything from automation and CRM to content authenticity and deal transparency, this stage arms attendees with the ideas, tools, and strategies needed to thrive in a rapidly shifting digital landscape.
The conference sessions will bring together some of the biggest names in affiliate marketing, including Jonathan Edelshaim (CEO, Natural Intelligence), Elaine Gardiner-Ruddock (Managing Director, TAG Media), Peter Gunni (CEO, Traffic Lab), Filip Komljenovic (Head of Sales, Sofascore), Deb Lee (Director of AI & Data Operations, CILA, Entain), Andre Machado (CCO, Clever Advertising), Leanne Muleba (Chief Operations Officer, Matching Visions), and Johan Styren (CEO & Co-founder, Dilanti Media).
Those joining the Affiliate Leaders Summit will benefit not only from the tailored content on the dedicated stage and Super Stage but also from the addition of the Global Markets and Emerging Markets stages. With affiliates and operators among the most curious about cross-border growth, these new stages provide an ideal opportunity to explore regional strategies and understand new audiences.
Affiliate and operator attendees can expect the VIP treatment at the Affiliate Leaders Summit, with complimentary access to the event’s premium evening networking lineup. That includes the high-energy Opening Party with Joel Corry and Imanbek, and the return of INFINITY Lisbon, featuring electrifying performances from Alok and Timmy Trumpet.
Sojmark added: “The Affiliate Leaders Summit is designed to make networking and easier by giving you a dedicated space to connect. But the hospitality doesn’t stop there. You’re part of the full SBC Summit experience. With access to all six stages, complimentary food and drinks at the Food Festival, and the freedom to explore every area of the event, you’re welcome to engage as widely as you like. The Affiliate Leaders Summit simply helps you focus your efforts where they matter most.”