What was the GameExpo Summit
Powered by PG Connects?
Created in association with the globally renowned PG Connects team, the Dubai GameExpo Summit took place across 2 days during Dubai Esports and Game Festival 2023, uniting more than 1,800 visitors and 20 indie developers with leaders from across the gaming world to discuss recent developments and get business done.
With over 2,000 meetings held using the ‘MeetToMatch’ system, the B2B event was the perfect opportunity to engage with industry leaders as they shared their insights and ideas on emerging topics. Which covered everything from groundbreaking developments in AI, Web3, and the Metaverse to the latest techniques in development and monetisation as well as the unprecedented growth of the MENA market.

WHAT HAPPENED DURING THIS SUMMIT?
This summit presented a unique opportunity for people in the industry to expand their network and meet experienced professionals from all around the globe. Experts from all corners of the industry shared their insights on emerging topics like advances in AI, innovation in Esports, the latest monetisation techniques, indie game developer stories and much more.
Investors, game developers and other industry leaders congregated at the MENA region’s premium esports and gaming industry business gathering as they took a closer look at the region's unprecedented growth during this year's Dubai Esports and Game festival.

Event In Numbers
1,819
Atendees
104
Industry Speakers
2,048
Meetings Conducted
53
Sessions & Panels
What was new for DEF2023?

MEET TO MATCH
For the first time, all summit attendees got exclusive access to PG Connects’ MeetToMatch platform. This platform shares the available meeting slots of everyone attending, allowing them to request meetings with other attendees and organise their calendars and requests, 2,048 meetings were conducted during the event.
Since time is money, MeetToMatch opened before the summit began so that everyone had the opportunity to manage and request meetings ahead of time. At the GameExpo Summit powered by PG Connects, we made networking quick, simple and easy.
THE VERY BIG INDIE PITCH!
(Mobile+PC+Console Edition)
Combining a speed-dating format with pitching ideas, The Very Big Indie Pitch gave developers 5 minutes to pitch their games to a panel of experts and answer any questions that occurred.
A golden opportunity for developers, they got to pitch any game in any format (mobile, PC, or console) to these experts and get their essential feedback face-to-face or post-event via email. Sharing ideas and getting instant evaluation and assessment is very fruitful and defines the developer’s course of action in the years that follow.


THE PAVILION
The Pavilion was a B2B exhibition taking place in the heart of the GameExpo Summit powered by PG Connects. It featured stands and booths from developers, B2B service providers, and even other countries and cities, allowing them to showcase their capabilities in the esports and gaming industry.
The Pavilion was a hub of opportunity for developers, investors, and businessmen to grow their businesses and explore exciting new avenues.
ENGAGING TALKS
The GameExpo Summit powered by PG Connects, brought industry experts from around the world together to unite and share their ideas. Their engaging talks and discussions covered a broad range of emerging topics that will guide the direction of the industry for the years to come. Some of these topics were: -
. Esports Innovation
. Global Trends
. Game Dev Stories
. Monetisation Techniques
. AI Advances
. The Future of Metaverse


BUSINESS FOCUSED SESSIONS

INVESTOR CONNECTOR
The Investor Connector sessions at the GameExpo Summit powered by PG Connects granted investors and venture capitalists the chance to meet pre-selected companies and developers online or in person. These sessions connected developers with expert angel investors, grant officers and other private individuals who are looking for their next investment opportunity.
Investor Connector allowed investors to hand-pick developers or companies that bear potential for success. So that they could spend the right kind of money in the right sector.

PUBLISHER SPEEDMATCH
Networking is a cornerstone of business. That's why Publisher Speedmatch at the GameExpo Summit powered by PG Connects granted shortlisted publishers and developers an opportunity to make first contact with each other.
Following a speed-dating format, this 1-hour session helped all of these parties meet and greet to share ideas and pitches. This initial contact enables publishers to pursue developers and ideas who made an impression, making sure all time spent is productive and effective.