The ongoing growth and innovation of digital platforms have significantly increased players’ gaming options while simultaneously intensifying the challenge for brands to differentiate themselves from competitors and attract new players.

The upcoming Canadian Gaming Summit will include focused discussions on maximising loyalty with CRM technologies, building strong operator-affiliate partnerships and delving into the latest gamification strategies to aid affiliates and other marketeers in converting new players and instilling brand loyalty.

The Affiliate & Advertising conference track will take place on Thursday, June 20 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. It will explore the key topics in marketing and affiliation such as innovative fan engagement strategies, how to effectively appeal to the next generation of players and how to maintain a strong brand image.

Opening the track is the panel titled Maximising Loyalty with CRM: Leveraging Gamification and AI Strategies, which will explore innovative CRM strategies to increase brand loyalty. Industry experts Gibran Khan (Director of Growth Marketing & CRM, FanDuel), Stewart Groumoutis (Director of Digital Strategy, BCLC), and panel moderator Tommy Kearns (CEO, XTREMEPUSH) will delve into the transformative power of free-to-play games and AI technologies in crafting dedicated players, the global trends impacting the industry and how operators are integrating gamification and AI to enhance CRM practices.

The panel titled Next-Gen Gamification: Engaging Millennials and Gen Z will address optimal strategies to attract and engage Millennials and Gen Z players. Panelists Brooke Hilton (Head of Casino, PointsBet Canada), James White (Co-Founder & COO, Hot Takes Sports), Steven Salz (CEO, Rivalry), Andrew Darley (VP, iCasino & iLottery, OLG), Sim Bielak (President, Suzohapp) and panel moderator Jesse Learmonth (Host, Betting Startups Podcast) will discuss the nuances between both demographics, explore how traditional casinos and bookmakers can adapt to appeal to younger audiences and how innovative gamification features such as social gaming to interactive storytelling can aid in appealing to the next generation of gamers.

The panel titled Building Lasting Partnerships: Affiliates and Operators will provide delegates with the framework to craft successful operator-affiliate partnerships. JD McNamara (Country Manager, Better Collective), Cassie Brickman (CEO, Betting Hero), Vanda Silva (Chief Corporate Officer, Clever Advertising), and moderator Bryan Bennett (Consultant, NoCo Strategy) will explore the crucial elements required to craft fruitful partnerships such as the alignment of specific marketing metrics, understanding regulatory compliance, and establishing mutually beneficial goals.

The final track panel of the day, titled Fan Engagement Strategies in Sports Betting, will discuss the tools to engage Canadian sports fans effectively. Joseph Hanson (Director of Sportsbook Operations, DraftKings), Corey Brown (VP of Product Management, theScore), Allanah Della Vedova (Brand Director, FanDuel), Dami Amurawaiye (Head of Sportsbook & Operations, PointsBet) and panel moderator Mark Silver (CEO, Homestand Sports) will explore innovative features such as interactive mobile apps and real-time engagement features that are enhancing the immersive experience for players.

Additionally, the panel will discuss the latest fan engagement strategies for Canadian bettors and how sports league partnerships and social media integration can encourage wider fan participation.

Delegates will have the opportunity to glean invaluable insights into the Canadian market through dedicated conference tracks covering player protection, leaders and land-based, sports betting, growth and leadership, and payments and compliance.

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For groups of three or more, you can purchase the Group Pass Ticket to get access to all three days of the Canadian Gaming Summit for the discounted price of CA $795 per person.

Additionally, operators and affiliates can apply for a free pass to the event.

You can keep up-to-date with the latest news, speakers & exhibitor additions, and conference content by subscribing to the bi-weekly Canadian Gaming Summit LinkedIn newsletter.