A Moment on the Floor
There’s a buzz on the conference floor you just can’t fake. Boardrooms don’t have it. Breakout sessions try, but miss. At SiGMA Rome 2025, the energy was everywhere. You’d hear conversations overlap, people meeting each other in passing, ideas flying around as quick as the barista could pour another shot of espresso. For NookTalks, this is where the real stories are.
This time, our host Jeremy Castillo sat down with Chiara Conte, and they just talked. No script, no agenda—just a real conversation that showed the human side of iGaming. What started as a simple catch-up turned into a story about staying curious, growing, and figuring out where you fit in this fast-moving world.
Meeting Chiara on the Conference Floor
Chiara showed up with an easy warmth. She’s from Malta, but lives out in the countryside now—kind of surprising, considering how often she’s at these events. She’s only 27 and already on her fifth iGaming conference this year. That says a lot about how much she cares about being part of the industry.
For her, conferences aren’t just about handing out business cards or checking off boxes on a networking list. She comes to listen. She’s there to soak it all in, and you can tell. No sales pitch, no posturing. Just herself. That’s what makes these NookTalks chats on the floor feel so real.
Rome as the Perfect Setting
When they started talking about Rome, Chiara lit up. She went straight to the atmosphere—how welcoming everyone was, how open the city felt. Rome’s got layers, right? The history, the culture. It just fits. SiGMA 2025 felt right at home there. The city’s got a way of making people slow down and actually connect, and for Chiara, that made everything better, not more stressful.
Life Beyond iGaming
One of the best moments came when Jeremy asked about her life outside work. Suddenly, the conversation shifted. Chiara loves music—especially singing rock and jazz. For her, the voice is an instrument, and she really means it. It’s a little thing, but it’s a good reminder: there are artists in this industry, not just business cards.
She also finds her balance in nature. Hiking’s her thing, not camping so much. Back in Malta, she heads to quiet spots—Mellieħa, or this little hidden bay you have to work to find. That says something about her: she likes places that reward a bit of patience and a curious spirit.
A Multicultural Perspective
Chiara’s got a mix of backgrounds- half Italian, half Australian, her mom’s from New South Wales. She grew up in Malta. Watching her mom move to the island, learn the language, start over in real estate, it left a mark.
You see that in Chiara. She handles big changes with a steady calm, whether she’s at a global event or thinking about her next career step. She’s open to what comes next, and that’s not something you see every day.
Working on the Frontlines
Chiara works in customer support for iGaming, mostly with English-speaking markets. She’s glad she’s moved past the phone call days, but she gets how tough those frontline roles can be.
People don’t always see how much those jobs take—resilience, empathy, quick thinking. Chiara put in the time, built those skills. She doesn’t see support as a dead end. For her, it’s the foundation for whatever comes next.
Looking Ahead
Talking about the future, Chiara was pretty open. She’s interested in marketing, CRM, fraud and risk, but affiliate marketing really catches her eye.
Jeremy jumped in with his own story- starting out in hospitality, then iGaming support, then fraud and risk, and now affiliates. It wasn’t some big speech. It was just two people, sharing a moment on the conference floor.
That’s the thing about iGaming: you don’t have to follow a straight line. Curiosity and a willingness to learn matter more than a polished resume.
A Note to the Industry
Before wrapping up, Jeremy put out a call: if you’re looking for a junior affiliate manager who’s hardworking, loyal, and ready to grow- Chiara’s your person.
That’s what NookTalks is really about. Real people, honest conversations, and shared journeys.
SiGMA Rome 2025 brought plenty of innovation and opportunity. But it’s these moments, a real conversation between sessions, that truly makes the experience. That’s where you find the heart of it all.
