More Speakers: From AAA to Venture Capital

February 18, 2026

We are thrilled to announce our latest addition of global experts joining the lineup for Expo Gamers 2026. 


This group brings great experience and knowledge to the tracks of Expo, spanning legendary art, cinematic sound, external development, and the future of game investment.



The Creative Visionaries

Iga Oliwiak

An internationally acclaimed artist from Poland with over a decade of experience. Her work has shaped iconic worlds like Magic: The Gathering, The Wagadu Chronicles, and the Oscar-nominated Loving Vincent.


Nikola Jeremić

CEO of Waveform Studio and the sonic architect behind some of the biggest titles in gaming, including Cyberpunk 2077, Destiny 2, and the Warhammer 40K franchise.


Strategic & Business Leaders

Sam Carlisle

Co-founder of XDS Spark and former Director of External Partners at Xbox Game Studios. With 20 years of experience, Sam is a global authority on external development and strategic partnerships.


Nazih Fares

Vice Chair of the IGDA Global Board and founder of Cabinet du Savoir Ludique. A BAFTA member with 90+ titles under his belt, Nazih is a leading voice in localization, culturalization, and inclusive development.


Investment & Education

Mikael Hietala

Representing Feelsgood Capital Partners, Mikael focuses on social impact VC and scaling "Culture & Creativity" companies that drive positive change in the gaming sector.


Nick Sweetman

Founder of Game Art Co. and a premier educator who has trained over 28,000 learners worldwide. Nick bridges the gap between talent and industry, working with giants like Fingersoft and Critical Force.



This lineup isn’t just about big names and impressive resumes, it’s about bringing the right people to one event in Opatija to share what they’ve learned. Whether you’re a solo indie dev or leading a major studio, these are the conversations that help us all level up together.


We’re building something special this May, and we’d love for you to be part of the story.


Early Bird tickets are available until March 1st. Secure your spot before March 1st.

Women in Games to Join Expo Gamers 2026

January 20, 2026
We are incredibly proud to announce a landmark partnership for this year’s Expo Gamers: a special delegation from Women in Games will be joining us in Opatija!

First speakers confirmed

January 18, 2026
First Speakers Confirmed for Expo Gamers 2026 We are incredibly excited to share the first wave of speakers joining us this year in Opatija. Our team is honored to host these global experts as they share their insights across our three dedicated program tracks. Vlad Rannik, CEO, CM Games A mobile gaming pioneer and Hall of Famer who has led titles with over 400 million downloads and $100M in revenue. Dr. Marie-Claire Isaaman, CEO & Co-Director Women in Games A global leader and award-winning consultant dedicated to building a fairer and more inclusive games ecosystem. Stanislav Stanković, Senior Game Design Director, EA An industry veteran with 14 years of experience at Rovio, Supercell, and EA, specializing in massive free-to-play titles like SimCity BuildIt. Julie La’Bassiere, Chief Strategy Officer, DDA A veteran branding strategist with 25 years in entertainment, contributed to the historic Best Picture Oscar win for CODA. Borislav Slavov, Composer and Music Director, Larian Studios The award-winning musical mind behind the iconic soundtracks of Baldur’s Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin 2. Ben Reichstein, CEO & Recording Artist, Field & Foley A specialized sound designer and podcast host focused on the art of immersive field recording and game audio. Early Bird Tickets: Available Until March 1st Join our growing community at the best possible price. Secure your tickets early to lock in the special rate.

Tickets are live!

January 13, 2026
Expo Gamers 2026 Early Bird Tickets Are LIVE! 

MeetToMatch partners up with Expo Gamers 2026

December 9, 2025
Expo Gamers are thrilled to announce a strategic partnership with MeetToMatch , the leading matchmaking platform in the global gaming industry. This landmark collaboration marks a significant moment: it is the first time a structured, world-class deal-making platform has been integrated into an event in Croatia and the wider Southeast European region. "We have enjoyed thoroughly meeting Mr. Fedor van Herpen and presenting our vision for the event. This partnership immediately elevates the business potential of Expo Gamers 2026, guaranteeing our 3,000+ attendees access to the most efficient and structured deal flow available." Valentina Yoe, Organizer Expo Gamers 2026 at a Glance The region’s essential B2B2C hub for gaming professionals. May 29–30, 2026. Location: the stunning coastal city of Opatija, Croatia. Impact: MeetToMatch is the most used event and deal-making platform in the world, linking our event directly to a network of over 25,000 games professionals. The MeetToMatch platform will be integrated to everyone with Indie, Business and VIP access tickets, and the platform will be launched leading up to the event. Tickets coming live very soon!