IAG Academy IR Awards Gala Dinner Sells Out Ahead Of Manila Event
Demand Peaks Ahead Of IAG EXPO
The 2026 IAG Academy IR Awards Black Tie Gala Dinner has officially sold out ahead of its 15 September staging at the Marriott Manila Ballroom in Newport World Resorts. Organisers have confirmed a record 355 guests, with all seats allocated and a waiting list continuing to grow.
The sell-out adds weight to the event’s role within the wider IAG EXPO calendar. The awards sit alongside the CiG iDEA Summit, Manila After Dark, the IAG Academy Summit and The Regulators Forum, giving operators and suppliers a concentrated week of networking, recognition and commercial visibility.
Why The Awards Matter For The Industry
For integrated resort and casino businesses, attendance at a full-capacity awards event signals more than brand prestige. It shows that senior decision-makers still value face-to-face industry forums where partnerships, market intelligence and reputational positioning often move faster than in digital channels alone.
For suppliers, a sold-out room increases the value of sponsorship and on-site presence. It places technology groups, gaming manufacturers and resort brands in front of a high-density audience of executives who influence procurement, market entry and product deployment across Asia.
Hall Of Fame Draws Extra Attention
The Gala Dinner will also host the latest IAG Hall of Fame inductions, including three Rising Stars, three Industry Icons and one Industry Legend. That final category remains the highest individual honour in the programme, with only one inductee selected each year since its launch in 2024.
This year’s Industry Legend nominees are Grant Bowie, Linda Chen, Dr Rui José da Cunha, Robert Goldstein and Ken Jolly. Previous inductees were Ciarán Carruthers in 2024 and Dennis Andreaci in 2025, which gives the 2026 selection added profile among executives tracking leadership influence in the regional sector.
Sponsors Gain A High-Visibility Stage
IAG named Newport World Resorts as Venue Sponsor and Light & Wonder as Entertainment Sponsor. Gold Sponsors are Angel, Aristocrat Gaming, Bally’s Colombo, Hann Resorts, Hoiana Resort & Golf, IGT, Interblock and Solaire.
That sponsor mix reflects the broad commercial base behind the event, from resorts and table games specialists to major slot and systems suppliers. For the market, it is a clear sign that awards-led gatherings still command serious marketing value when the audience is this targeted.
Source: Inside Asian Gaming
🌐 Source: Inside Asian Gaming
