"The success of our 2024 show provided a perfect platform to launch iGB Affiliate Barcelona"

With a bold move from London to Barcelona, iGB Affiliate is set to open a new chapter in 2025, offering a fresh venue, expanded features, and a focus on emerging opportunities in markets like Latin America and India.

The 2024 edition in London marked the end of an era, drawing a record 7,295 unique visitors — a 27% increase from the previous year. This momentum now fuels the much-anticipated debut in Barcelona, where attendees can expect a vibrant mix of business networking, content-driven insights, and global opportunities under the "Nuevos Horizontes" theme.

In an interview with Yogonet, Naomi Barton, iGB Events Portfolio Director, reflects on the success of iGB Affiliate 2024, the strategic rationale behind the move to Barcelona, and the themes and trends shaping the future of the affiliate industry.

She highlights the growing role of Latin America, the potential of Brazil’s affiliate market, and how iGB Affiliate Barcelona aims to become a "monstrous event" that sets a new benchmark for industry engagement and growth.

Just like ICE, iGB Affiliate bid London farewell this year with one last show at the ExCel venue. What is your assessment of this year's landmark event, and what are your main takeaways?

At the time, I described the 2024 edition of iGB Affiliate as being 'outstanding' and the data supports that assessment. In turns of numbers, we rewrote the record books. The attendance of 7,295 unique visitors was a 27% increase on 2023 and represented the fourth consecutive year of double-digit growth.

In many ways, the last day of iGB Affiliate 2024 was the start of our campaign in support of Barcelona. Harnessing the enthusiasm for the brand represented the perfect launchpad for 2025 and the next chapter in the iGB Affiliate success story.

The upcoming edition is gearing to be the most international yet, with iGaming professionals from 55 nations already registering to attend.

What makes the show such a must-attend meeting for the global industry? And how does the Nuevos Horizontes theme reflect its proposition?

I have to say the response has been hugely positive. Our creative issues an invitation to do what every ambitious affiliate is doing and that's to explore new horizons. The show will direct our community into previously uncharted territory, sparking a spirit of exploration that embraces emerging markets, innovative strategies, and untapped commercial opportunities.

The show equips affiliates with the tools and insights needed to adapt, innovate, and conquer lucrative new international markets. I'm delighted that the marketing campaign has gained so much traction.

How interested are affiliates in exploring opportunities in the LatAm, and Brazil in specific, markets? Any other major markets and trends you could highlight for us that will be covered in iGB Affiliate 2025?

LatAm is the main focus for affiliates. It has taken over from the US, where the limited number of operators who are in play, and the slowdown in new states and casinos coming online, combined with tax increases, have made the market less attractive.

In Brazil, local brands, not being familiar with the affiliate model and its benefits, are more focused on media and influencer partnerships.

India also represents a growth market. Localization is easier than in LatAm due to English language proficiency. But the 28% turnover tax levied by the Goods and Services Tax Council has prompted the exodus of some big brands. The sector is also seeing strong growth in some CIS countries.

What should stakeholders expect from next year's iGB Affiliate Barcelona, and how has the industry responded to the relocation?

The response to the opportunities offered by Barcelona has been extremely positive. In fact, in a recent interview, one of our stakeholders predicted that the first edition of the show to be held in Barcelona will be – and to quote him directly - a 'really monstrous event.'

We continue to work closely with our customers to help deliver the best possible edition of iGB Affiliate and ensure that all our customers enjoy a pleasant and profitable experience in the process, delivering a fantastic platform for the business year ahead.

We recognize that our customers have many events to choose from – so we absolutely have to prioritize delivering the best experience and the highest satisfaction, alongside really strong business leads and exceptional networking opportunities at both iGB Affiliate and iGB L!VE, the next edition of which takes place July 2025 at ExCeL London. We will always have a sharp focus on delivering even more value and ROI for customers, exceeding their expectations and ensuring they can make great business connections in an ultra-professional environment.

Moving to Barcelona offers a whole new customer experience. The city, famous for its beautiful architecture, stunning food, and exceptional bars and restaurants, provides us with the opportunity to surprise and delight our customers.

Nighttime events in a more temperate Barcelona mean that we can make greater use of outside space. We have worked closely with the city to make maximum use of these features of the Barcelona experience. The venue itself is one of the most exciting and contemporary in Europe and provides both the room to grow and to introduce new engaging features.

Why shouldn't attendees miss the show?

iGB Affiliate 2025 will feature a record 250 industry-leading exhibitors and sponsors and host a vibrant community of 8000+ iGaming Affiliates and Tech Vendors. The iGB Affiliate pledge is to facilitate outstanding business networking, deliver high-quality content, and provide thought leadership that fosters trust-based partnerships and drives growth throughout the iGaming affiliate ecosystem. By delivering on these core objectives, we plan to usher in an incredibly bright future for all our valued customers.