2026 > Summit

Tue 15 Sep

• 10:05-10:25 Keynote: Keynote Address

Alejandro H. Tengco was appointed Chairman and CEO of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) in August 2022.

A seasoned businessman and public servant, Mr Tengco has extensive experience in the fields of construction, real estate, food and telecommunications.

He previously served as President and CEO of Nationstar Development Corporation, a Triple A-rated construction firm behind landmark projects such as the renovation of the National Museum of Natural History in Manila.

He held key positions at PLDT, including as Executive Assistant to the President and CEO and, later on, as head of Government Affairs.

An Ateneo de Manila University alumnus with a degree in Business Management (1982), he is now spearheading reforms in PAGCOR to enhance regulation, promote transparency, and ensure greater contributions to nation-building from the gaming industry.

Mon 14 Sep

• 10:00-10:05 Remarks: Welcome and Keynote Introduction
• 14:20-15:05 Panel: Future-Proofing the Industry

Tue 15 Sep

• 10:00-10:05 Remarks: Summit Chairman’s Welcome
• 10:25-11:05 Panel: Vietnam in Focus: A Market on the Move
• 15:50-16:00 Remarks: Summit Chairman’s Closing

Wed 16 Sep

• 10:05-10:50 Fireside chat: If the Crown Fits

Andrew is a gaming industry expert, media publisher, commentator and advisor. Entering the gaming industry 40 years ago, he has lived in Macau for 17 years. He is Vice Chairman and CEO of Inside Asian Gaming (IAG) and CEO of parent company COMPLETE MEDIA GROUP.

IAG publishes a monthly magazine and a daily email newsletter sent to around 28,000 industry recipients. Its website, asgam.com, is the highest ranked B2B gaming industry media website in the world. IAG has over 36,000 LinkedIn followers.

IAG produces numerous gaming industry business and social events, operates a consulting and advisory unit and publishes several trade show print newspapers.

Andrew completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Australia in 1992 and a Master of Science in International Integrated Resort Management (Honors) in Macau in 2019. He has established and operated a retail sports betting business, a professional casino training school and an IR poker room.

Mon 14 Sep

• 10:30-11:15 Fireside chat: How to Enter the Philippines? Why to Enter the Philippines?
• 12:20-13:05 Panel: Outsourcing or Going It Alone: What’s the Right Model?

Tue 15 Sep

• 11:25-12:10 Panel: Emerging Markets
• 14:00-14:45 Panel: The Japan Effect: What Happens Next in Northeast Asia?
• 15:05-15:50 Panel: Bridging Land-Based and Online: The Power of Player Data

Wed 16 Sep

• 10:00-10:05 Remarks: Summit Chairman’s Welcome
• 11:10-11:55 Panel: Metro Manila Gaming: Attacking the ‘Burbs
• 14:00-14:40 At the bar: Operators Panel: Operating in an Evolving Market
• 15:40-16:25 At the bar: The Era of Leisure Tourism
• 16:25-16:30 Remarks: Summit Chairman’s Closing

Ben began his career as a sports journalist in Sydney in 1999, working for a number of leading news publications before his interest was piqued by the TV poker shows that frequented the airwaves late at night. He soon found himself not only playing the game but writing about it too – taking on the role of Editor for PokerNews Australasia and subsequently visiting Macau for the very first time in 2008.

He was appointed Managing Editor of World Gaming Magazine in February 2013, subsequently overseeing O MEDIA’s editorial catalogue including High Life, Hengqin Record and more. He was appointed Chief Content Officer in 2017.

In 2016, Ben became Managing Editor of Inside Asian Gaming and has spent his years since then delving ever more deeply into the business of gaming. He was instrumental in the launch of the industry-leading daily e-newsletter IAG Breakfast Briefing in April 2017.

Wed 16 Sep

• 11:55-12:40 Panel: AI Today

Mana is the Head of Analytics at Differential Labs, where he leads large-scale analytics and artificial intelligence projects for casino operators and technology suppliers across North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. He publishes research in leading academic journals on AI applications in gaming and teaches graduate courses on applied analytics and machine learning at his alma mater, UNLV.

Wed 16 Sep

• 14:40-15:20 At the bar: Suppliers Panel: Innovating for Asia’s Next Gen Players

Annie Chan is Vice President, Sales & Operations for Aristocrat Gaming, and Regional Leader for Asia. With more than 19 years of experience in the gaming industry, she is responsible for driving business growth, operational excellence, and ensuring that Aristocrat is and continues to be the preferred partner of choice across the region.

Since joining Aristocrat in 2016, Annie has held a number of leadership roles across manufacturing, operations and commercial strategy. She has played a key role in supporting revenue growth across Asia, leading regional operational initiatives and expanding Aristocrat’s service capabilities, including establishing the company’s Philippines office.

Known for her collaborative leadership style, Annie has built strong relationships with regulators, customers, distributors and industry partners throughout APAC. She is passionate about developing high-performing teams and delivering long-term value for customers.

Wed 16 Sep

• 11:10-11:55 Panel: Metro Manila Gaming: Attacking the ‘Burbs

With over a decade of experience in the Philippine gaming industry, Pepe Costa brings extensive knowledge of gaming operations and a strong understanding of the local market to his role as Country Manager at FBM Philippines.

Pepe joined FBM in 2011, initially serving as General Manager of the company’s manufacturing plant in Subic before moving to Manila to lead its Philippine operations. Since then, he has helped manage FBM’s growing nationwide presence, working closely with teams, operators and partners while supporting the company’s expansion across land-based and emerging gaming segments. His work in the Philippines has earned him the Outstanding Leader distinction at the Asia Gaming Awards, which he received in both 2024 and 2025. His vision for the company centers on gaming entertainment made for Filipinos by expert Filipino hands.

Pepe’s approach to leadership is based on understanding his team, listening to ideas and helping people develop in their careers. He maintains that FBM’s achievements are the result of people working together, and continues to focus on building strong relationships and preparing the company for its next stage of growth in the Philippines.

Tue 15 Sep

• 12:10-12:40 Panel: Familiar Faces
• 15:05-15:50 Panel: Bridging Land-Based and Online: The Power of Player Data

David currently heads up Tangam’s operations in the Asia Pacific region. Tangam is the leading provider of gaming optimisation and analytics software to casinos.

Previous to this role, David spent 17 years with the two leading casino operators in Australia, first with Crown Resorts and then with The Star Entertainment Group.

David has experience leading gaming strategy, Gaming Product and Gaming and Customer Analytics teams across Table Games, Slots and ETG’s.

Over that time David has been an industry leader in driving revenue growth through the use of data and technological innovation to improve processes, productivity and gaming floor optimization.

Wed 16 Sep

• 15:40-16:25 At the bar: The Era of Leisure Tourism

Dr Dietschi leads the hospitality division of MGM including Hotel, Food and Beverage, and Retail Operations. He joined in 2021 and was part of the company’s retendering efforts for the license renewal for the next 10 years. He is a dedicated leader and hospitality expert and assists the various divisions with day-to-day operations, involving service excellence, business recovery, product enhancement and development.

Prior to MGM, he served as multi-property Vice-President at Marriott International, Luxury, overseeing eight properties in mainland China, including The Ritz Carlton and St. Regis in Shenzhen, The Ritz-Carlton and the W in Guangzhou, The Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis and the W in Chengdu, as well as The Ritz Carlton Harbin and Jiuzhaigou at the pre-opening stage.

Dr Dietschi possesses more than 28 years of luxury hotel knowledge and experience, working in 13 countries and four continents, including 23 hotel openings, and was a member of The Ritz-Carlton Global General Manager Service Excellence team.

Being a native Swiss, Dr Dietschi speaks fluent French, German and English. He graduated from the world-renowned École Hôtelière de Lausanne, Switzerland; received his Executive MBA from California State University, Monterey Bay, in 2012, and his Doctor of Business Administration from the College of Management and Technology at Walden University (USA) in 2018. He published his first book titled “Mastering Hospitality” in 2021 and is a frequent speaker at universities.

Wed 16 Sep

• 11:10-11:55 Panel: Metro Manila Gaming: Attacking the ‘Burbs

Jeff Évora is the President and COO of Winford Resort & Casino Manila, a position he has held since 2017. He has worked in hospitality since 1990 and entered the gaming industry in 1993.

Previously, Évora served as VP of Marketing at Resorts World Manila. Earlier in his career, he held roles with Caesars Entertainment, Ameristar Casinos, Boyd Gaming Corporation, Flamingo Hilton Las Vegas, and Hyatt Regency.

Évora holds a degree in Hotel Administration from the University of Hawaii and a Business Administration degree from the University of Phoenix.

Mon 14 Sep

• 12:20-13:05 Panel: Outsourcing or Going It Alone: What’s the Right Model?

Tue 15 Sep

• 15:05-15:50 Panel: Bridging Land-Based and Online: The Power of Player Data

Laurent Fresnel is Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of Syntrii. He brings more than 25 years of global technology leadership across casino and entertainment, with deep expertise delivering transformation inside highly regulated environments. As former Group Chief Technology & Innovation Officer at The Star Entertainment Group, he led enterprise-wide programs spanning carded play, digital wallets, cashless ecosystems, real-time financial crime detection, customer risk profiling, safer gambling, and the modernization of loyalty and marketing systems at scale.

That experience gives him a clear understanding of the technology challenges operators face as competition increasingly moves online, and an entrepreneurial instinct for using emerging technology not as an end in itself, but as the means to true customer centricity.

Laurent co-founded Syntrii on a simple observation: operators already hold the data required to compete with online-native rivals, but it sits fragmented across gaming, non-gaming, loyalty and payments systems that were never designed to speak to one another.

Syntrii was built to close that gap — providing the digital foundation for loyalty, marketing, payments and compliance in the regulated gaming sector, combining production-ready technology with the strategic expertise to shape the future of patron engagement.

He is well placed to speak to the convergence now underway in the Philippines: what land-based data can and cannot tell you about an online audience, what smart table data is actually revealing, and why marketing to a patron on their phone demands a fundamentally different model to marketing to them on the floor.

Wed 16 Sep

• 14:00-14:40 At the bar: Operators Panel: Operating in an Evolving Market

Rod is Vice President of Gaming Operations at Hann Casino, the largest integrated resort outside metro Manila. He joined the company in December 2025, after spending two years at Landing Casino at Jeju Shinhwa World in Jeju, Korea.

Rod has extensive management experience in Asian gaming, including five years in Macau with Galaxy and Melco and eight years as Director at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore.

Starting in the industry in Australia in 1986, he also gained experience in South Africa and Europe before his move into the Asian IR world in 2005.

Wed 16 Sep

• 14:00-14:40 At the bar: Operators Panel: Operating in an Evolving Market

In June 2025, Gregory Hawkins was appointed as President and Chief Operating Officer for Bloomberry Resorts Corporation. Prior to this he was Chief Operating Officer of Solaire Resort - Quezon City. Greg has ultimate responsibility for the two on premise business units in Entertainment City and Quezon City, as well as its licensed Online division. In addition, he oversees the group’s shared services and marketing units. His primary focus is on group leadership, culture, and core commercial objectives.

Greg has deep hospitality and gaming sector experience in multiple jurisdictions, including the Philippines, Macau, Australia, and New Zealand. This experience includes the opening of new resorts, capital expansion projects and site wide team and commercial leadership for brands such as Crown, The Star, SkyCity and Melco.

Tue 15 Sep

• 15:05-15:50 Panel: Bridging Land-Based and Online: The Power of Player Data

Bryan has been with the Angel Group in the live table gaming casino equipment supply business for more than 25 years now, including roles as CEO of Angel Singapore PL and currently as Director of Angel Manufacturing Singapore Pte Ltd. His experience in the Philippine market is extensive and he is proud to have been associated with the support of casino IRs throughout the country.

Angel Group is dedicated to innovation as seen most recently in the development and distribution of Smart Table technology throughout Australasia and Southeast Asia.

Angel’s smart table focus is on what we refer to as “AI Capture”, our proprietary video assisted AI solution. The AI Capture base is the launch pad for opportunities to expand smart table applications through software development. AI Capture future proofs Angel’s ability to innovate for table games beyond baccarat including roulette, sic-bo, blackjack and poker derivative games.

AI Capture operates seamlessly with RFID technology for float and chip inventory and of course the Super Angel Eye for game result data. Combine that with our Chip Validation and Counting System for chip inventory management and our Table Management System provides a comprehensive solution to a truly smart table environment.

Tue 15 Sep

• 10:25-11:05 Panel: Vietnam in Focus: A Market on the Move

David Jorden joined Hoiana Resort in July 2025 as Executive Vice President Gaming. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from Murdoch University and a Post Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance & Investment from the Securities Institute of Australia.

Prior to Hoiana, David led the marketing and business development teams in the Philippines for Newport and worked in Singapore for both Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa. With over 20-years’ experience in integrated resorts, David has worked across five different jurisdictions and has been involved in and led several large-scale developments and openings. He has broad experience in marketing with deep knowledge in compliance related aspects of the casino industry.

Tue 15 Sep

• 14:00-14:45 Panel: The Japan Effect: What Happens Next in Northeast Asia?

Jaehwan Kim is Chief Marketing Officer of Paradise Group, overseeing marketing for Paradise City – Northeast Asia’s first integrated resort and a leading Art-Tainment destination – as well as the Group, which operates Korea’s largest foreigner-only casino business.

Before joining Paradise Group, he built more than 25 years of marketing and management experience across a diverse range of industries, including finance, insurance, education and IT. This broad background has equipped him with a holistic perspective, enabling him to understand markets and customers from multiple angles and connect strategies and ideas across industries.

In his current role, he is focused on building a distinctive brand experience that moves beyond conventional gaming-led marketing models and established industry practices. Guided by Paradise’s Art-Tainment vision, he leads new initiatives spanning marketing, events, live entertainment, product development and customer service design. Through these efforts, he is creating integrated guest experiences that bring art and entertainment together across the resort.

With his innovative approach, Kim is strengthening Paradise City’s competitive differentiation and playing a pivotal role in Paradise Group’s evolution from a traditional gaming operator into a global Art-Tainment company.

Wed 16 Sep

• 14:00-14:40 At the bar: Operators Panel: Operating in an Evolving Market

Sean Knights brings over three decades of global gaming and hospitality leadership to his role as Chief Operating Officer of NUSTAR Resort and Casino in Cebu, Philippines. As the Philippines’ newest integrated resort destination, NUSTAR is poised to set new benchmarks in Southeast Asian hospitality – and under Sean’s direction, operational strategy and guest experience are world-class.

Sean’s distinguished career includes senior executive roles with industry leaders such as Delaware North, Crown Resorts, Resorts World Sentosa and Jupiters Townsville. Immediately prior to joining NUSTAR, he served as General Manager of Mindil Beach Casino Resort in Darwin, Australia, where he oversaw operational transformation tailored to the unique cultural and regulatory environment of the Northern Territory.

At NUSTAR Cebu, Sean’s expertise in large scale resort operations and gaming management is helping shape a destination that seamlessly blends Filipino warmth with international standards. He is leading the resort’s efforts in operational excellence, innovation, and local workforce empowerment – ensuring that NUSTAR not only delivers exceptional visitor experiences, but also contributes meaningfully to Cebu’s tourism growth and community development.

Sean’s regional and international insight, combined with his deep understanding of integrated resort dynamics, makes him a key voice in the evolution of gaming and hospitality across Asia.

Wed 16 Sep

• 11:55-12:40 Panel: AI Today

Herris Kocibelli is an experienced technology, gaming and business leader with more than 25 years of experience across Australia and Asia. His career has covered software development, business analysis, project management, gaming systems, digital transformation and business development.

Herris spent more than a decade with Melco Resorts & Entertainment in Macau, progressing from Gaming Systems Consultant to Assistant Director of Gaming Systems & Digital Transformation. During this time, he led major technology programs including casino management system transformation, multi-property systems integration and the technology delivery for major integrated resort openings in Macau and Manila.

He currently serves as Systems Sales Manager with Light & Wonder, responsible for systems sales and business development across the Philippines and South Korea.

In parallel with his corporate career, Herris has co-founded and managed businesses in B2B food distribution and B2C e-commerce, giving him a strong combination of enterprise technology, strategic leadership, entrepreneurship and hands-on commercial experience.

Tue 15 Sep

• 14:00-14:45 Panel: The Japan Effect: What Happens Next in Northeast Asia?

Dr Jaeseok (Jason) Lee is an Associate Professor and Department Chair in the Department of Tourism Management at Kangwon National University. Prior to his current academic role, he served as an Assistant Professor at Macau University of Science and Technology in Macau. He earned his Ph.D. in Business Administration from Temple University, USA.

Dr Lee’s core research and consulting expertise focuses on tourist decision-making processes, responsible gambling behaviors, and Casino Integrated Resort (IR) management and policy. His doctoral dissertation at Temple University investigated non-problem gamblers’ responsible gambling behaviors. He has authored numerous SSCI-indexed journal articles examining visitor behaviors, experiencescapes, and economic impacts in IRs, including comparative studies between the Macau and South Korean IR environments.

Beyond academia, Dr Lee actively contributes to public policy, gaming regulation, and industry governance. He serves as a member on the Policy and System Subcommittee of the National Gambling Control Commission in South Korea. Additionally, he leads and participates in major research projects on IR regulation and strategic development, including the 3rd Master Plan for the Casino Industry commissioned by Jeju Special Self-Governing Province and IR policy and framework development projects with the Incheon Free Economic Zone.

Wed 16 Sep

• 15:40-16:25 At the bar: The Era of Leisure Tourism

With over three decades of experience in the hospitality industry, John Lucas brings unparalleled expertise and passion to his role as Chief Hospitality Officer at Newport World Resorts, a position he has held for the past nine months.

Prior to joining Newport World Resorts, John spent over 30 years with the Hilton brand, where he held key leadership positions including Area General Manager in Australia and leading the successful pre-opening of Hilton Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea. His ability to navigate diverse markets and deliver exceptional results has earned him a strong reputation in the hospitality industry.

John’s leadership style is centered on collaboration, innovation and a deep commitment to excellence, making him a vital part of Newport World Resorts’ vision for hospitality excellence.

Tue 15 Sep

• 11:25-12:10 Panel: Emerging Markets

Tony Macmillan is Chief Executive Officer of Bally’s Colombo, one of Sri Lanka’s leading gaming and entertainment destinations. A highly experienced international gaming executive, Macmillan brings more than three decades of industry experience spanning land-based and online casino operations, gaming management and customer-focused entertainment.

Macmillan began his career in London more than 30 years ago as a trainee casino dealer before progressing through senior management roles within the international gaming industry. He is a UK-licensed gaming manager and has developed extensive expertise across casino operations, player experience, commercial strategy, technology and operational performance.

Prior to and during his tenure in Sri Lanka, Macmillan has built a broad international perspective through experience across multiple gaming markets, including the UK, Malta and Curaçao. His professional background encompasses both traditional land-based gaming and emerging digital and mobile gaming products, giving him a comprehensive understanding of the rapidly evolving global gaming landscape.

As CEO of Bally’s Colombo, Macmillan oversees the casino’s operations and strategic development, with a strong focus on delivering exceptional customer experiences, operational excellence and sustainable growth. Under his leadership, Bally’s has continued to strengthen its position within Sri Lanka’s gaming and entertainment sector.

Macmillan is also an active contributor to industry discussions across Asia, sharing his experience and insights on gaming operations, leadership, talent and the future development of the regional gaming sector.

Tue 15 Sep

• 12:10-12:40 Panel: Familiar Faces

Joe Mayer is the Systems Sales & Operations Manager APAC for Konami Australia Pty Ltd, with experience delivering casino management systems and gaming technology projects across the Asia-Pacific region. Working closely with casino operators, regulators, and industry stakeholders, he is involved in the ongoing development of facial recognition solutions designed to support player identification, responsible gambling, and operational intelligence within regulated gaming environments.

Joe is also helping shape the next generation of anonymous bonusing initiatives, aimed at enabling operators to recognize and reward previously unknown players without requiring loyalty card interaction. He focuses on exploring practical applications of technology that can enhance the player experience while delivering measurable operational and commercial benefits for casino operators.

Mon 14 Sep

• 12:20-13:05 Panel: Outsourcing or Going It Alone: What’s the Right Model?

Tue 15 Sep

• 11:25-12:10 Panel: Emerging Markets

Shaun McCamley is a seasoned executive and respected figure in the global gaming and casino industry, recognized as one of the top 25 industry people to watch. With decades of experience, he has held senior leadership roles across land-based and online casino operations, guiding numerous ventures to success through strategic insight and operational excellence.

His deep expertise spans casino management, gaming operations, digital gaming and regulatory compliance. As a trusted consultant, Shaun has advised gaming operators, governments and regulatory bodies, playing a key role in optimizing operations and ensuring compliance in complex jurisdictions.

His international portfolio encompasses projects across Asia, Europe and other major gaming markets, where he has made significant contributions to the growth and evolution of the gaming industry.

Shaun is a sought-after speaker at global gaming conferences, where he shares forward-looking perspectives on industry trends, emerging technologies and best practices in player engagement and retention. His thought leadership is also reflected in numerous published articles on casino strategy and management.

Known for his leadership and innovative thinking, Shaun consistently drives transformation and embraces cutting-edge solutions to elevate gaming experiences. His ability to bridge traditional casino operations with the evolving demands of digital gaming has made him a valuable force in shaping the industry's future.

Wed 16 Sep

• 14:40-15:20 At the bar: Suppliers Panel: Innovating for Asia’s Next Gen Players

David has been in Senior Strategic roles in the gaming industry for close to 30 years, first starting out in hotels in Newcastle and working his way through the bar, bottle shop and restaurant to running the Prince of Wales Hotel at Merewether.

From there his passion for gaming led him to move to Sydney to start a role on a graduate program and he was fast-tracked into the role of NSW Marketing Manager for Aristocrat after 12 months. Various roles in sales, followed by Marketing and Product Manager for Asia-Pacific, led he and his family to move to Macau as General Manager Asia-Pacific for Aristocrat through some extremely successful years.

David is now the Operations Manager Sales, Marketing and Service for Konami leading these business units for Australia and Asia Pacific.  Achieving significant success in Australia and New Zealand for Konami, he is passionate about achieving similar success throughout the Asian region.

Wed 16 Sep

• 11:10-11:55 Panel: Metro Manila Gaming: Attacking the ‘Burbs

Damian Quayle is the Chief Operating Officer of Solaire Resort Quezon City (formerly Solaire Resort North), bringing more than 30 years of leadership experience across the integrated resort, gaming, hospitality, and tourism industries in Australia and Asia. Throughout his career, he has built a reputation for operational excellence, strategic leadership, and delivering world-class guest experiences across some of the region’s most prominent integrated resorts.

Before joining Solaire Resort Quezon City, Quayle served as Chief Gaming Officer of SJM Resorts in Macau, where he led gaming strategy, operations, and marketing across the company’s casino portfolio. Prior to this, he was Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President of Gaming at LET Westside Integrated Resort in Manila, playing a key role in the development of one of the Philippines’ major integrated resort projects. His extensive career also includes senior leadership positions with The Star Entertainment Group in Australia, where he spent nearly 12 years, as well as executive roles with Wynn and Melco in Macau.

Quayle has successfully led large-scale gaming and hospitality businesses, driving operational performance, commercial growth, and exceptional service standards. His experience spans gaming operations, resort management, marketing, business strategy, and organizational leadership, giving him a holistic perspective on the evolving integrated resort industry.

As Chief Operating Officer of Solaire Resort Quezon City, Quayle oversees the resort’s day-to-day operations, guiding its continued growth as Quezon City’s premier luxury integrated resort. He is committed to elevating guest experiences, fostering a culture of service excellence and innovation, and strengthening Solaire Resort Quezon City’s position as a leading destination for world-class entertainment, gaming, dining, and hospitality in the Philippines.

Wed 16 Sep

• 11:55-12:40 Panel: AI Today

With nearly two decades in the gaming industry, Aaron has a proven track record of successfully launching Casino Systems across diverse geographical locations. His expertise lies primarily in the architecture, data, systems, and applications that form the backbone of casino operations. Through this experience, Aaron has cultivated a comprehensive understanding of gaming and its core functionalities, allowing him to translate complex technical concepts into practical solutions. System integration has been a key strength throughout his career, ensuring the seamless operation of diverse systems within a casino environment.

Wed 16 Sep

• 14:40-15:20 At the bar: Suppliers Panel: Innovating for Asia’s Next Gen Players

Ankur Sharma is a seasoned sales leader with 15+ years of experience in the global casino gaming industry. He has led commercial operations across Asia, driving multimillion-dollar growth, market expansion, and strategic partnerships. Before joining IGT, Ankur worked with leading global gaming suppliers and operator across Asia.

Tue 15 Sep

• 14:00-14:45 Panel: The Japan Effect: What Happens Next in Northeast Asia?

Chen Si currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer of Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore. He brings nearly two decades of international experience in the gaming and hospitality sector, having held senior leadership roles across integrated resorts in the region. As COO, Mr Si oversees the day-to-day operational performance, organizational excellence and continued improvement of guest experience across the resort.

Tue 15 Sep

• 11:25-12:10 Panel: Emerging Markets

Paul is the CEO and founder of Kairos Gaming Ltd, a company specializing in consultancy services for the gaming industry. With over four decades of experience in the field, Paul is a recognized expert in the gaming industry. He has held senior executive management positions across various regions, including Australia, Macau, Cambodia, Nepal, and Vietnam.

Wed 16 Sep

• 14:40-15:20 At the bar: Suppliers Panel: Innovating for Asia’s Next Gen Players

Phil Stormonth is an experienced sales professional in the global gaming industry, specializing in slot machines and gaming solutions in Asia. He is based in Macau as Senior Director of Sales for Asia at Light & Wonder.

Tue 15 Sep

• 10:25-11:05 Panel: Vietnam in Focus: A Market on the Move

Alan Teo is the Chief Executive Officer of Hoiana Resort & Golf, Vietnam's premier luxury integrated resort, a position he assumed in February 2025. He brings decades of senior leadership experience across world-class integrated resorts in Singapore and the Philippines.

Known for his proven expertise in managing multi-business-unit operations, Alan has consistently driven strong financial performance and operational excellence. He is recognized for his strategic vision, commitment to customer satisfaction, and dedication to fostering collaboration and inclusion.

Alan holds a degree from the National University of Singapore and a Master of Business Administration from IE Business School.

At Hoiana, Alan leads a USD 4 billion integrated resort development encompassing over 1,200 hotel keys, world-class dining, gaming, and the Hoiana Shores Golf Club — the sole golf course in Vietnam named among the Top 100 Golf Courses in the world by Today's Golfer Magazine.

Wed 16 Sep

• 10:05-10:50 Fireside chat: If the Crown Fits

David Tsai has served as CEO for Crown Resorts since September 2024, having previously served as CEO for Crown Perth. He brings two decades of integrated resorts experience to Crown, having held senior leadership roles across seven gaming jurisdictions in the U.S. and Australia.

David has an impressive track record of success having spent more than 15 years with global gaming, hospitality and entertainment group, MGM Resorts International. Prior to joining Crown, he was President of Midwest Group while simultaneously overseeing two of MGM Resorts’ leading casino resorts – MGM Grand Detroit & MGM Northfield Park.

David brings extensive strategic and operational leadership experience having led extensive hotel, gaming, food and beverage, event and entertainment operations in some of the most highly regulated jurisdictions across the globe. David has also led large-scale transformation programs, including the US$550M upgrade and redevelopment of the Monte Carlo Resort & Casino into new luxury lifestyle brands, Park MGM and NoMad Las Vegas.

Earlier in his career, David worked for McKinsey & Company and held senior strategy and finance roles, including leadership positions with ARIA Resort & Casino. David also held the position of Senior Vice President Corporate Strategy & Analytics for MGM Resorts, leading group strategy across more than 15 integrated resorts in the U.S.

David holds multiple degrees from Stanford University, including a Masters of Business Administration, a Masters of Science in Management Science, and a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering.

Wed 16 Sep

• 15:40-16:25 At the bar: The Era of Leisure Tourism

Harold Tsakmaklis As the Executive General Manager of Gaming at Crown Resorts, overseeing all aspects of Gaming Operations with the goal of ensuring a seamless experience for the company’s guests.

He has a strong background in Gaming Operations and experience in leading large-scale, multi-venue International Gaming and Casino Operations within competitive markets.

Prior to this role, Harold held leadership positions at Sands China for 10 years where he served as Vice President of Casino Operations for The Venetian Macau, Sands Macau, Four Seasons Macau, The Londoner Macau and The Parisian Macau.

He was previously at Galaxy Entertainment Group for 10 years as Assistant Vice President Gaming Operations Galaxy Macau & City Clubs.

Mon 14 Sep

• 10:25-10:30 Remarks: Summit Chairman's Welcome
• 11:35-12:20 Panel: Localizing for Success in the Philippines
• 15:25-16:10 Panel: The Rest of Asia
• 16:55-17:00 Remarks: Summit Chairman's Closing

Tue 15 Sep

• 12:10-12:40 Panel: Familiar Faces

Wed 16 Sep

• 11:55-12:40 Panel: AI Today
• 14:40-15:20 At the bar: Suppliers Panel: Innovating for Asia's Next Gen Players

Kelsey Wilhelm arrived in Macau as the SAR’s casino monopoly was broken, growing up amongst the noise of the construction of the city’s integrated resorts. Casinos were the main social meeting place and the intriguing conversations he had with casino management, hotel and construction execs, and friends entering the industry sparked a curiosity to know the internal workings of the operations that caused Macau’s boom.

He started covering gaming while still in university, initially at a daily business newspaper and later at numerous magazines, shifting early on from journalist to Editor-in-Chief. This prompted a shift into television, where he interviewed top gaming CEOs and celebrities, including on the talk show that he led.

After COVID, he began to focus exclusively on gaming, branching out from land-based into the online segment which he still finds fascinating. He now lends his time to both IAG and Complete iGaming as Senior Contributing Editor – keeping a finger on the pulse of both worlds which are now intersecting more than ever.