As the calendars reset and goals get set, ICE Barcelona felt like the perfect place to kick things off. With big plans for the year ahead and plenty that we want to achieve, the event gave us a chance to reconnect, listen, and start the year the right way.

Starting the week with a punch!

Starting the week with Behind the Gloves, an event we were proud to sponsor, felt like the perfect fit for ICE Barcelona. It wasn’t just about getting the blood pumping, but about bringing people together outside the usual conference setting.

“It was great to get up early and see so many faces — it benefits you, gets you in the right frame of mind, and releases endorphins,” adds Senior Recruitment Consultant Euan Green.

A shared early start, a few punches thrown, and plenty of smiles helped set the tone for a positive and focused week.

Why ICE is about more than just attendance…

The energy at ICE was felt across the entire team. From reconnecting with familiar faces to meeting new ones from every corner of the industry, the event was a reminder of just how strong and collaborative the iGaming community really is.

Director John O’Neill notes; “It’s great to see ICE so well attended and to be able to have so many high-quality conversations with wonderful people. It truly feels like being part of a community.”

As highlighted above, it wasn’t just about attendance or scale – it was the quality of conversations, the sense of shared momentum, and the exciting projects already taking shape because of those connections.

Associate Director Iain Watson adds; “We work with clients across almost every continent, which people may not always realise. Having the opportunity to connect in person at ICE is invaluable for growing our community.”

Because Balance matters.

Of course, it wasn’t all meetings and networking. The team made the most of Barcelona – from a well-earned team dinner and a very competitive pub quiz to soaking up the sights around the city.

Jonathan Revie-Singh, Senior Recruitment Consultant, joked: “The move from London to Barcelona has definitely improved the culinary experience of our team dinners after a long day on the stand!”

There was even time to sneak in a relaxing spa visit, proving that a little downtime goes a long way when you’re gearing up for a busy year ahead.

Final reflections from our CEO

Finally, our CEO, Jennifer Innes, shared her reflections on what continues to make ICE such a special and rewarding event for the team:

“There’s something genuinely special about reconnecting with people we’ve helped along their careers – those face-to-face moments are a powerful reminder that this industry is built on personal connections.”

“In a world where recruitment is increasingly shaped by technology and AI, these opportunities to meet in person, shake hands, and strengthen relationships are more valuable than ever.”

Back at BettingJobs HQ, the team is now diving in and gearing up for an exciting year ahead. If we didn’t catch you in Barcelona, we’re already looking forward to connecting later this year – we’ll be exhibiting at iGB London and SBC Lisbon, and attending more events in between.