Medical Cannabiz World Summit keynotes and panel debates discussed topics such as regulation in different territories around the world and patient charters to ensure best practice in healthcare when prescribing medical cannabis.

“The quality of medical cannabis preparations is of primary concern and advances in chemistry and tech as well as in-depth study of endocannabinoid systems are mitigating some of the challenges in the field, including standardisation concerns,” said Maltese MP Deo Debattista during the first day of the event.

“Regulation of cannabis for medicinal and research purposes in Malta follows a route comparable to that implemented for the pharmaceutical industry and controlled medicines,” the MP added.

“Everyone is talking about cannabis regulation, but what will the industry look like post-regulation? One thing is clear: the big whales will enter and dominate,” said CMTREX Founder-CEO Saul Singer in a different speech.

Malta Enterprise’s Marion Zammit said that “the process for obtaining a licence has been kept clear and transparent and the evaluation process is rigorous and scrutinous.”

CannaKids CEO Tracy Ryan said the pursuit of medical cannabis as a treatment for her daughter had played a huge role in what she calls a miracle story. “The doctors said we cannot explain what we are seeing, we would like to give the credit to medical cannabis,” she described.

While medical cannabis is gaining ground internationally, Europe has traditionally been seen as a slow-adopter: in some countries talking about cannabis is still stigmatised. “We are living in a schizophrenic situation where the industry in medical cannabis is growing very fast, while in Europe, research in cannabinoids has really been slowed down by stigma,” said Professor of Psychology at the University of Malta Giuseppe di Giovanni.

As part of Malta Week, the AIBC Summit Malta is taking place on 7-8 November, exploring emerging technologies such as distributed ledger technologies (DLT) and artificial intelligence (AI) to provide unique solutions to any industry.

“We made it our intention to be at the forefront of this exciting new success story for medical cannabis and to create an environment where deals can be made and the global industry can flourish,” said Eman Pulis, Founder and CEO of organiser SiGMA Group.

“We are proud to play an integral role, planting the seeds of growth for so many diverse contributors to the medical cannabis sector. We’re not just part of the conversation—we’re starting the conversation,” he added.

SiGMA Group is now taking the medical cannabis expo to South East Asia in June 2020. The event will be closely linked to SiGMA Group’s sister show—AIBC Summit—bringing blockchain and medical cannabis together, as well as bridging continents between east and west.

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SiGMA is taking the B2B event open for the iGaming sector’s online suppliers, operators, affiliates, regulators and blockchain businesses to Manila, expanding the Maltese event overseas.

The Manila expo will concentrate on the importance of bridging the business division between East and West, addressing topics such as the regulatory environments in different territories, the integration of blockchain and new emerging technologies and the bandwidth problems for mobile gaming, among others, the group says.

Furthermore, figures from Global Gambling Statistics 2019 show that seven of the top ten locations for gambling revenue based on visitors are in Asia (including Australia). For instance, in Macau, revenue is expected to reach as high as US$53b by 2022, according to the press release sent to BM. 

“The opportunities for growth in Asia are increasing exponentially year on year, and the time is right to cement new and existing relationships between the gambling industries in both East and West,” said Kate Chambers, MD Clarion Gaming.  

“To combine the expertise of Clarion courtesy of the world-famous ICE brand and SiGMA ensures both the land-based and iGaming sectors will find synergy in Manila in 2020. This is an exciting time as we extend the reach of the ICE brand following the launch of ICE Africa in 2018 and ICE North America in May 2019,” Mr Chambers added. 

“As we take the SiGMA brand to global markets, we are proud to facilitate the biggest gaming expo to bring East and West together. It is unprecedented for two such established events to join forces in Asia this way, so this will be an unmissable calendar event amongst C-level gaming executives, whether they have existing business activity in Asia or are looking to expand their operations in the Far East,” said Eman Pulis, Founder and CEO of SiGMA Group.

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More than 2,000 delegates have confirmed to arrive for the networking event that might see brokering deals and discussing the important issues defining the sector, including legislation, education, investment, and technology. 

The inaugural edition of Medical Cannabiz World will welcome the medical cannabis sector that boasts of potential as the Maltese government has recently passed legislation supporting its commitment to the vertical.  

The summit will host exhibitors, brands from across the industry, production, logistics, payment processing, know your customer (KYC), legal and regulatory. 

The summit will also focus on the regulatory benefits for businesses setting up in Malta, attracting investors, medical researchers, policymakers and entrepreneurs looking to forge exciting new opportunities. 

“This is another huge milestone for both Malta and the wider business community involved in the life-changing medical cannabis industry.  With Malta’s new regulatory environment in this area, we are seeing a significant number of companies coming to the island to take part in the summit, many of which are either looking for angel funding from early-bird investors or are offering investment opportunities,” said Eman Pulis, Founder and CEO of SiGMA Group.   

In addition, Medical Cannabiz World is part of Malta Week, featuring the Malta AI and Blockchain Summit on 7-8 November.

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Ms Walker will lead the development of all media production and video interviews for the group, across iGaming, artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain and medical cannabis.

She was previously working at BloxLive TV, one of the first online cryptocurrency and Blockchain TV stations, where she was part of the startup team as a producer. Her career in media began in Riga and Geneva in 2015 where she specialised in fintech video content. In addition, Ms Walker has a qualification from the London School of Journalism.

“Jessica will be a huge boost for our media content division, bringing both expertise and direction to our three verticals of iGaming, blockchain, and medical cannabis,” said Eman Pulis, Founder and CEO, SiGMA Group. 

“We are keen to offer our clients more social video opportunities to communicate their brand messaging, and Jessica has the on-screen kudos to carry the SiGMA Group torch as we expand our media activities,” Mr Pulis added.

“Eman and the SiGMA Group are a guiding light for brands in the fields of iGaming and blockchain, cultivating new business opportunities through unrivalled networking and global events activity. It’s my honour to spearhead the group’s growing media arm and support the wider marketplace for these exciting sectors,” said Ms Walker. 

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The consulate aims to engender opportunities for Maltese-registered companies to exhibit at the SiGMA shows in Manila and to foster a connection with Philippine companies as well as build-up the event in the coming months. In addition, it seeks to promote the Philippines as a business and holiday destination with the end view to strengthen relationships between Malta and the Philippines. 

“Having established the consulate in January 2016 a lot of progress has been made in increasing awareness of the Philippines both as a Holiday Destination but also as a business gateway to the rest of Asia,” said Roger A. Strickland Jr, Philippine Consul to Malta. “The Philippines does not disappoint all those travellers who go the extra mile to visit it and absolutely nothing compares to the rich and abundant diverse natural resources the Philippines has to offer. What also makes the Philippines a truly wonderful country is the Filipino’s themselves thanks to their abundant talent, courtesy and warm hospitality,” he added.

“The Filipino workers hold a variety of skills, are bilingual, have a good educational level and are highly competent exhibiting highly reliable work ethics. We are very pleased to support SIGMA 2020 in Manila and the Consulate is available for any information that travellers or businesses might need in considering their options for their Asia focused business,” Mr Strickland added.  

Aside from taking on a supportive role for European companies looking to forge closer relations with their Asian counterparts, SiGMA hopes that the launch of the Manila 2020 will bring benefits to the hotspot, with the introduction of a number of international clients to the Asia region exerting a strong economic impact on the area.

Furthermore, this eastward move of the group capitalises on the strong interest in Asia for iGaming and emerging technologies, with an eye towards the growing value there for companies looking to move into up-and-coming iGaming markets. 

Therefore, SiGMA is looking forward to strengthening trade ties, bringing fresh opportunities for business to European affiliates, operators, and suppliers.

“We’re going to help put the spotlight on the Philippines, embracing the best of the iGaming and tech communities, with the hope that these companies that we bring there will end up setting up offices and getting a licence in the Philippines.  We do not just want to react to what’s going on out there, but we want to take an active, leading role in not only bringing the Asian and European community together but also building long-lasting commercial opportunities,” said Eman Pulis, CEO of SiGMA Group.  

The show in Manila expects to welcome over 600 exhibitors and 11,000 attendees from across the globe for two days of conferences and workshops, and premier networking events.

SiGMA Group recently announced dates for two shows in Manila for 2020, which will feature exhibits from the iGaming and the blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI) sectors, respectively.

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SiGMA Manila and Manila AI and Blockchain Summit will take place on 8 and 9 June 2020 at the SMX Convention Centre in Manila. Asia is leading the way in merging new blockchain and AI technologies with the global iGaming sector. SiGMA Group is strengthening trade ties with the jurisdictions in the region to facilitate fresh business opportunities for European companies, according to the press release. 

“Regulatory turmoil in Europe and increasing appetite in Asia for online gambling and distributed ledger technology (DLT) has led us to take this bold leap forward and launch our two most successful shows in Asia. Whether you are in iGaming, AI, blockchain, or emerging tech, our mission is to support the obvious trend of European brands expanding East, and we are delighted to endorse the great opportunities that exist in Asia”, says Eman Pulis, CEO of SiGMA Group.  

“We do not just want to react to what is going on out there, but we want to take an active, leading role in not only bringing the Asian and European community together but also building long-lasting commercial opportunities,” commented Mr Pulis. The joint expos in Manila are expected to welcome over 600 exhibitors and 11,000 attendees from across the globe. With the launch of SiGMA Manila 2020 and the Manila AI and Blockchain Summit the group hopes to support European companies in forging closer relations with their Asian counterparts and introduce themselves to global companies.

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The charitable arm of SiGMA Group is represented by SiGMA Foundation. Its duty is to reflect the group’s commitment in order to support people in need of fund-raising activities.

In Malta, SiGMA Foundation will look at social responsibility, with the intention of creating a social arm for the local scene, primarily addressing loneliness. 

However, the focus of the foundation is concentrated on the collection of funds for a number of similar projects in Ethiopia, where an upcoming project to finance the construction of a primary school will go under the patronage of SiGMA Foundation. The school will likely be inaugurated next January thanks to €80,000 allotted to the endeavour, as the press release says.  

Furthermore, the Philippines will also factor into the foundation’s plans with the implementation of a solar power system to benefit remote locations. SiGMA Foundation is going to provide €20,000 with the yearly target of improving surrounding amenities.

“The Malta Kilimanjaro Challenge has helped to raise almost a million euro over the last 15 years, with funds being ploughed into kindergartens, daycare centres, water harvesting projects, hospitals etc and homes for the disabled in Ethiopia and Kenya,” said Mr Marshall. “SIGMA has been a strong contributor over the last few years, and the newly created SiGMA Foundation will now incorporate the Malta Kilimanjaro Challenge – as founder, I am keen to direct that energy and passion into this fresh opportunity to bring real change to people in places of need,” he added.

“Keith has inspired me in both obvious and subtle ways, as early as my days at the university campus. Back then, he persuaded me to give events a try and I never looked back on event planning since. What left the bigger mark, however, was his dedication for philanthropic work,” added the CEO of the Group Eman Pulis. “From Served by the Stars to the Kilimanjaro Challenge — through such charity events — I have come to realise that anyone can put their skills to meaningful use and come closer to the Ikigai [a Japanese concept meaning a reason for being, usually used to indicate the source of value in one’s life]. Setting up the foundation was a natural step for the SiGMA Group and I cannot think of a more suited person to lead the way.”

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Mr Patel joined the company in May and is responsible for gearing up and leading SiGMA’s global marketing operation to meet the growing demands of the company’s expansion into markets in Asia and the Middle East.

“I am thrilled to be joining such a dynamic team. My focus will be to take SiGMA to greater heights, to establish the company as a market leader within its chosen sectors and to help achieve the company’s chosen targets. I am looking forward to applying my experience to the challenges ahead,” said Mr Patel.

With his 30 years of marketing experience, both traditional and online, comes Mr Patel’s strong ties to the Asian markets. The company expects his role to be key to its commitment to strengthening its core team in Malta and to the success of its endeavours in the Asia Pacific region.

SiGMA Group is going to explore opportunities across Asia — specifically Dubai, Manila and Hong Kong. In tandem with this expansion, the company has announced the planned 2020 inaugural launches of Emirates A.I. and Blockchain Summit and SiGMA Manila.

The company will also embark on an ambitious global Roadshow in 2019. Following a triumphant first stop in Manila, the roadshow will now take in New Jersey in June, with further international trips to be announced.

“We are delighted to be adding new talent to our C-level team as we take the SiGMA Group to new heights. I am confident that Prashant will prove an essential addition to the team here in Malta and to the continuing success of this company as it expands its scope eastwards,” said Eman Pulis, Founder and CEO, at SiGMA Group.

SiGMA has been busy with strengthening its team lately. Very recently, Rick Goddard was appointed Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) across all the SiGMA brands.

The post SiGMA names new chief marketing officer first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.

The show brought together key players from the sectors of artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, cryptocurrencies, and other emerging technologies to discuss and shape the future.

Prime Minister of Malta Joseph Muscat said in his keynote speech that emerging technologies should not be feared but rather embraced and utilised for offering a better life. He also said his government will keep supporting these verticals.

“The results have been overwhelming. We are staying a step ahead, helping the government bring all these great minds to Malta, fueling the Maltese economy by supporting the tech ecosystem,” commented Eman Pulis, Founder of Malta A.I. & Blockchain Summit and CEO of SiGMA Group. “There are plenty of incentives for A.I. and blockchain companies to relocate to Malta, so what better forum than a summit like this to bring everyone together. I think it is safe to assume that it is the largest show in its category worldwide so far this year.”

The list of VIP speakers included Brock Pierce, Ben Goertzel, Larry Sanger, Patrick Chang, and Noel Sharkey, all sharing valuable insights and enriching the audience in the process. Moreover, keynotes from industry giants Noel Sharkey and Bobby Lee had a fundamental meaning for the audience, with Bobby Lee emphatic on bitcoin’s staying power, saying he believed it would eventually go up to a million dollars, as the press release says.

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The appointment comes in a time when SiGMA is growing not only in terms of shows they organise in Malta on a yearly basis, but also expanding overseas, looking to build new opportunities and bring the business to a global scale.

Rick Goddard joined the company at the beginning of April, tasked with reviewing procedures and setting new targets for each of the event verticals in 2019. His has commercial experience from a variety of sectors, most recently focussed on blockchain, cryptocurrencies and the ICO market, according to the press announcement.

“I am delighted to take on the role of CCO and support Eman and the group as global success appears on the horizon,” Mr Goddard said. “The company has grown quickly and I look forward to being central to the next stages of its global evolution,” he added.

“We are delighted to appoint Rick to the position of Chief Commercial Officer, adding to our C-level talent as we take the SiGMA Group to new heights around the world,” Mr Pulis said. “With SiGMA Manila 2020 set to be as big as our SiGMA show in Malta, and with the Emirates Blockchain Summit just around the corner, Rick will be crucial to the continued success of the group in meeting commercial objectives over coming years,” the founder CEO added.

SiGMA stands before a busy year, with the spring edition of the Malta A.I. & Blockchain Summit right at the corner. In addition to another blockchain venue scheduled for November, the iGaming SiGMA event and the first Medical Cannabiz World in Malta, the company is expanding into the Middle East and eyes Asia for further events.

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