An international team of 2,000 workers is converting Malta’s MMH shipyard into a 45,000 square-meter venue for SiGMA Europe 2024, one of Europe’s largest iGaming conferences, marking a milestone transformation in just three weeks.
Led by Chief Logistics Officer Gunther Micallef Decesare, the project involves erecting more than 600 stands and detailed displays, transforming an active industrial port into a high-profile event space. “The first stage is dedicated to the big and complicated stands, ensuring the foundation is robust,” Micallef Decesare said.
The MMH shipyard’s operational status, with its regulatory demands and bustling harbor, adds logistical challenges unique to this venue. “We’re setting up in an active, operational shipyard, which demands careful coordination,” Micallef Decesare explained.
The SiGMA Europe event is expected to generate a significant economic boost for Malta, providing a vital influx for the hospitality and service sectors during a slower tourism period. “SiGMA brings an extra month of revenue to Malta,” Micallef Decesare noted, calling the event a substantial driver for local hotels, restaurants, and transport services.
The transformation also emphasizes Malta’s role as a premier international iGaming hub. “We’re not just a Maltese pipe dream. SiGMA is a worldwide Maltese company, a leading iGaming company globally,” Micallef Decesare said.
The project’s scope goes beyond traditional construction needs. With no pre-existing infrastructure at the shipyard, all essentials — from electrical outlets to Wi-Fi and basic amenities — had to be installed from scratch to support over 20,000 anticipated delegates. “This is one of the most challenging projects, where there’s absolutely nothing in place,” Micallef Decesare said.
Reflecting on the efforts, Micallef Decesare said: “The satisfaction is in the build-up itself. You create something substantial, even if you don’t use it yourself.”
With the MMH site poised for completion by mid-November, the SiGMA Europe conference will showcase the best of Malta’s event-hosting capabilities.