Organizers of the San Diego trade show declare event a triumph, according to the Independent Grocers Alliance (IGA).
Let's Talk San Diego's Gaming ShowFrom the Floor Indian Gaming Association*** Buck Wargo, our website
Spread the WordThe organizers behind the Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention can't stop raving about this year's San Diego edition, with a record-breaking attendance and plans to double down on the city's coastal charm for the next event.
IGA wrapped up a webinar Thursday to debrief the show earlier this month and shared some jaw-dropping stats. A whopping 7,500 people attended the four-day affair at the San Diego Convention Center - that's a fantastic 10% jump from the 2024 show in Anaheim.
Conference Chair Victor Rocha declared, "It wasn't just a trade show, but a statement. At a time of political uncertainty and economic pressure, this event provided direction, energy, and a renewed purpose." He even mentioned that a reduction in federal funding kept some tribes away, emphasizing the event's importance.
According to IGA Executive Director Jason Giles, it was indeed a hit, albeit with a touch of anxiety given the threat of a federal shutdown just weeks before the show. Normally, the show would bring 35 to 50 federal speakers, but this year none were permitted, affecting the overall attendance. Giles added that the uncertain situation might have kept the numbers below 8,000.
Giles also addressed the potential impact of tariffs imposed by the Trump administration and slowed travel, but luckily, the show managed to shrug off those bullets. The IGA also hosts educational sessions at the Global Gaming Expo in Las Vegas in October, another exciting event to look forward to.
Rocha voiced concerns over lower attendance due to the perceived attitude of the current Administration, with Canadian travelers staying away from Vegas. Alas, the San Diego conference managed to avoid the heat, with the National Indian Gaming Commission unable to attend even though they had scheduled educational sessions. IGA arranged a Zoom room instead, funded by FanDuel and DraftKings at a $5,000 cost.
Clarion Events North America's Ed Gallo encouraged optimism, emphasizing that despite challenges, San Diego outperformed Anaheim and matched previous editions in the city. The show boasted nearly 400 exhibitors and a massive tradeshow floor of 100,000 square feet. The Digital Play Summit on the floor was well-received, and IGA debuted TribalBond, a meeting-based platform, which was extended to 10 companies at the event but will be expanded in 2026.
With a positive tone, Gallo envisioned future attendance soaring to 10,000 to 12,000 people. "Let's do this together," he said. "We just have to focus more on the meetings. TribalBond is going to explode."
Rocha agreed that choosing San Diego over Anaheim was a "big deal." IGA will return to San Diego in 2026, with Vegas as the other alternative in 2027. Vegas often attracts more attendees than San Diego, with a different vibe and outstanding educational content.
Sources:1. [IGA 2025 Recap] (https://iga.org/iga-reveals-record-attendance-at-ima-2025/)2. [2025 Mid-Year Conference & Expo] (https://iga.org/events/2025-mid-year-conference-expo/)3. [2025 IGA Conference & Expo Attendance Figures] (https://iga.org/2025-iga-attendance/)4. [IGA Partners with BMM Innovation Group] (https://iga.org/iga-partners-with-bmm-innovation-group/)5. [Sovereign Gaming Summit] (https://iga.org/iga-partners-with-bmm-innovation-group/)
- Many attendees at the Let's Talk San Diego's Gaming Show were excited about the possibility of the Indian Gaming Association (IGA) doubling down on San Diego's coastal charm for their next event, given the success of this year's edition.
2.unsure, maybe, the financial implications of tariffs imposed by the Trump administration and slowed travel could have affected the business aspects of the IGA's San Diego conference, but fortunately, it seemed to have minimal impact overall.
- Luckily, despite a reduction in federal funding keeping some tribes away, the San Diego conference still managed to attract 7,500 attendees, surpassing the attendance at the 2024 show in Anaheim.
