Over 1,300 people download the EiG exclusive networking app

The app provides information about companies, executives, the agenda, speakers and exhibitors as well as maps, activity feeds and interactive options, and is available to download from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store by searching for TotallyGaming and visiting ddut.ch/eig.

“The app is a one-stop shop for everything you will need in Berlin,” said Jo Mayer, Marketing Director, Gaming Portfolio at Clarion Events, which is organising EiG 2014. “We want attendees to leave Berlin with a host of ideas, insights and new connections, and the best way to maximise this unprecedented knowledge-sharing opportunity is to use the Networking App. The Tumblr blog page will also be a really useful tool for everyone – not just those attending.”

Frederic Chesnais, the CEO of Atari, is one such expert who is looking forward to exploring synergies and business opportunities between real-money gaming and the video gaming industry in a session on Wednesday.

“I think we will see more skill-based gaming emerge as the marketplace matures; this will create an organically cooperative environment in the future,” Chesnais said. “We believe that social experience and brand recognition will play an increasing role. This is more than just gaming and gambling. The whole social experience has to be fun and safe.”

Fellow panellist Don Daglow, the chief executive of Daglow Entertainment, said: “I think the two industries have far more in common than many people realise, especially with the growth of the free-to-play game business model.”

EiG attendees will also hear from the likes of Clive Humby and Chris Searle, both leading executives in their respective fields. Humby, the co-founder of dunn humby, was the chief architect of the Tesco Clubcard and segmentation programme, a hugely successful initiative at the supermarket giant. “A better understanding of the reasons that customers use your services can lead to better business strategies,” he said ahead of his session on loyalty schemes on Tuesday.

Searle is the former Chairman of The Portman Group and former International Affairs Director of Corporate and Social Responsibility at Bacardi. Speaking ahead of his session on Wednesday on how the gaming industry can overcome reputational challenges, he said: “Success depends on separating out the commercial aspects from social aspects and the key is leadership from the major companies and a desire to protect the business and trading environment.”

Meanwhile the ever-popular Start-Up LaunchPad competition on Thursday will feature Asylum Labs, Betify, Fresh8 Gaming, DiscountIF and RiftSino VR pitching their ideas to expert judges after Dorothy Creaven, the Co-Founder and Chief Executive of Element Software, offers an insight into winning the 2013 competition. “I’m really looking forward to seeing the candidates this year and hearing their pitches, and also talking about our experience of winning last year and what it has meant for us,” Creaven said.

Berlin itself is continuing to enhance its reputation as an iGaming start-up hub, and Jacky Media Co-Founder Baris Tamer, who will lead the Berlin Gaming Tour session on Monday, believes EiG 2014 is landing in an ideal networking destination. “Berlin's growth as a start-up hub is not only attracting new investors and venture capitalists to the city, but also a tremendous wave of young talent from around the world,” he said.