José Aníbal Aguirre: "GAT Expo Cartagena is today a strategic meeting point for the industry"

Evaluation of this edition of GAT Expo Cartagena

"My assessment qualifies the academic agenda as exceptional. A very solid 2026 edition aligned with what we are looking for as an organization. We received more than 2,500 C-level executives from 45 countries and the presence of the entire local ecosystem of suppliers and operators confirms the leadership and international positioning of GAT Expo Cartagena."

"Beyond the figures, the most relevant thing was the quality of the public: decision-makers with real capacity for investment and expansion. That profile is what allows us to affirm that GAT Expo Cartagena is an effective business platform."

Highlights of this edition

"On this occasion, we had the coordination and conceptual contribution of Fecoljuegos, a guild that allowed us to have the participation of national and foreign speakers who managed to incorporate issues of national interest, addressing politics, economics and regulation in the continent with variables that directly impact the development of the sector, beyond the technical.

On the day of conferences, the participation of authorities such as the Attorney General of the Nation, Gregorio Eljach Pacheco, was especially relevant, which reflects the institutional importance that the legal gambling industry has today in Colombia.

In the commercial exhibition, we highlight a constant business dynamic, with high traffic at the stands, relevant closings and companies that found in GAT Expo Cartagena a real space to present innovative online platforms and software to operate and achieve expansion in the region".

What kind of feedback have you received from exhibitors, visitors and speakers, and what lessons have you taken away for future editions?

"Colombia definitely continues to be a focus of attraction that brings together the interest of international brands and investors, mainly in South America. The feedback has been very positive, especially in relation to the quality of the contacts reached, the effectiveness of the networking and the breadth of horizons that opened up for attendees from 5 continents.

There is a recurring element: trust in the organizer and the hospitality of Cartagena as a central part of the experience. In our region, business is built from proximity, and GAT has managed to consolidate an environment where relationships flow naturally, in a favorable context both professionally and humanly.

As a learning, we continue to focus on strengthening tools and formats that optimize attendees' time and further enhance the generation of effective connections. In Cartagena, everyone wants to do everything at the same time and the days are short."

How has GAT Expo evolved in recent years and what factors do you consider key to its consolidation in the region?

"GAT Expo Cartagena has evolved from being a local fair to the international GAT Events circuit that connects the main markets of Latin America and the Caribbean with the world.

Today we are a platform that integrates the land-based and online ecosystem, with a clear business vision and a close relationship with regulators, guilds and operators.

The trust built over more than 27 years and the ability to adapt to the markets of each country and territory have been decisive in this process."

The key place of GAT Expo Cartagena in the gaming industry in Latin America

"GAT Expo Cartagena is today a strategic meeting point for the industry. We build a sectoral agenda, promote public-private dialogue and the fair generates real business in a professional environment.

In a diverse regional market, we are articulators par excellence of the gaming ecosystem and land-based casinos."

Finally, what are the next events or initiatives that you are planning and what news can you anticipate for future editions?

"The GAT Circuit continues its expansion in 2026 with stops in Mexico City in May, Brazil at the end of July, San Juan in September, Bogota in October and Santo Domingo in November. We have several marathons going on simultaneously: in Mexico City two days of commercial exhibition on May 13 and 14, in GAT Brazil Official Launch a novelty in programming on July 29 and 30, expect a surprising agenda...

We are betting on increasingly specialized formats, a more marked and adaptable commercial approach with networking designed to connect beyond the days of an event."