Welcome back to our Expert Insights blog series with Caglar Eger, the CEO of exmox. In this monthly series, Caglar leverages his 10 years of experience to share his thoughts and knowledge on the gaming industry.
In today’s post, Caglar takes us on a trip down memory lane, explores the evolution of gaming industry conferences, from their earliest days – even before the events had the word mobile in the title – to the present landscape of world class events. He also shares his insights on upcoming conferences he’s excited about for this year.
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The Beginnings of Mobile Gaming Conferences
The very first conference I ever attended was back in 2012 – a time when the idea of having an entire conference dedicated solely to mobile games was still a distant thought. Back then, the industry was in a different phase, and the conference everyone had on their radar was Casual Connect. I had the opportunity to attend the event in Hamburg, proudly representing Goodgame Studios. That experience marked the beginning of what would become my newfound passion for industry events, sparking a deeper appreciation for the vibrant community and the wealth of knowledge shared in these spaces.
By 2013, the gaming industry was gaining significant momentum, and I attended Mobile Gamesforum in London. It was fascinating to be part of an event that, at the time, was still evolving – it wasn’t even called “Gamesforum” yet. That same year brought another milestone: my first appearance on a panel. I was invited to speak at the Browser Games Forum about a topic that remains close to my heart – the gaming industry in the MENA region.
Those years were also marked by an exciting expansion of my horizons as I ventured into Asia for key industry events such as China Joy and G-Star. These conferences provided a great opportunity to explore global perspectives and gain insights into the unique dynamics of different markets, further fueling my enthusiasm for connecting with the broader gaming community.
Panels at Gaming Conferences
I genuinely love being part of panel discussions. They’re such a great way to share knowledge, exchange ideas, and learn from others at the same time. There’s something really exciting about contributing to meaningful conversations that can spark new perspectives or help people see things in a different light. Plus, you always pick up fresh insights and ideas from the other panelists and even the audience.
Panels are also a fantastic way to put your expertise out there and connect with others in the industry. They’re a chance to build real relationships, collaborate with like-minded professionals, and strengthen your credibility in an authentic way. It’s not just about networking; it’s about being part of the bigger conversation and staying engaged with what’s happening in the industry.
My favorite panel ever was in Tel Aviv, and it was all about East Meets West – a topic I’m super passionate about. What made it even more memorable was how unconventional it was. We kicked things off with a shot of vodka to break the ice, which immediately set a fun and relaxed tone for the whole discussion. It was such a unique way to start, and it really brought everyone together, both on the panel and in the audience.
One of my favorite memories from gaming conferences was with my good friend and now CPO of exmox, Michael. Back when we were both working at Goodgame Studios, we had the amazing opportunity to travel to China to launch Empire 4 Kingdoms. It was such a great experience.
What made it so special was working alongside Western developers to bring mobile games to the Chinese market. We were involved in everything from the translation to the publishing process, which gave us a chance to dive deep into the nuances of introducing a game to a completely different audience. It was an unforgettable blend of hard work and adventure, and it’s still one of my favorite highlights from that time.
In China with Michael Reichert, exmox CPO
How to Make the Most of Gaming Conferences
“Failing to prepare is preparing to fail!” That’s something I always keep in mind when heading to any event. My top piece of advice is to set clear goals for what you want to accomplish. Think about what you want to achieve and, most importantly, who you want to connect with. Not every event offers a meeting scheduling platform, so it’s a good idea to reach out to people ahead of time and set up meetings before you even arrive.
Also, take a look at the schedule and see if there are any talks or panels you’d like to attend. They’re a great way to dive deeper into different parts of the industry. But here’s a little tip: don’t just stick to topics directly related to your work. For example, if you work in monetization, sure, go to those monetization sessions, but also check out the talks on user acquisition (UA) or app store optimization (ASO). You might pick up unexpected insights that can help you broaden your perspective.
Side events are another huge part of networking. Many companies host gatherings after the main conference sessions, and they can be a fantastic opportunity to meet new people and have more relaxed, informal conversations that sometimes turn out to be more valuable than the formal meetings.
One of the best pieces of advice I received early on was to focus on understanding the market itself, not just trying to meet as many companies as possible. This was especially useful at conferences in Asia, where I made it my goal to really understand how the market worked, its trends, and its challenges. That approach helped me have more meaningful conversations and gave me insights that I could use long after the conference ended.
Which Gaming Industry Conferences to Attend
The new year is finally here, marking the start of an exciting season of events! I’m really looking forward to jumping back into the conference scene with the team and reconnecting with friends, colleagues, and peers from across the industry. This year, there are some must-attend events that I’m especially excited about, including PGC in London, Gamesforum in both Barcelona and Hamburg, MAU in Vegas, White Nights, ChinaJoy, and Mobidictum. Each of these conferences offers amazing chances to network, learn, and stay on top of the latest trends in the gaming world. I can’t wait to dive into the conversations, share insights, and see where the industry is heading in 2025!
Fireside chat at the White Nights conference in St.Petersburg, 2017 with Julia Lebedeva
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