From Conversations to Conversions: What Gamesforum Hamburg Delivers
By Josh Vowles 30 April 2026
2026 marks the fourth edition of Gamesforum Hamburg, and the fifth German Gamesforum.
Whether it's because they're preparing for Q4, or because they're quietly panicking about it, attendees are open to in-depth conversation and having the right people in one place makes meaningful conversations much easier to find.
This year will be no different.
As the industry enters a new era, with fast, fierce competition from China and Vietnam on one hand and agentic AI capabilities balancing the resource playing field on the other, understanding how to drive successful game growth has never been so nuanced. There are now more levers than ever at decision makers' disposal.
The success of any event comes down to attendee ROI, the relationships built, the relevancy of networking and the reputation of the format. It is simple for me to outline why Gamesforum Hamburg hits all of these marks, so let's take a look at what attendees have to say.
ROI: Investment & Growth
At its core, Gamesforum Hamburg is designed to deliver measurable outcomes for growth teams. By bringing together UA, Product & Ad Monetisation leaders and trusted partners in a focused environment, the event creates the conditions for conversations that go beyond small talk and translate into measured gains.
Gamesforum Hamburg delivers every year. Everyone knows the location is great, the atmosphere relaxed and friendly. There are also great conversations and learnings to be had with fellow marketers and service providers, with measurable outcomes. In the 10 months since the last event, we have been able to place an incremental €1.4 million in profitable incremental adspend with networks we connected with during the event. That is worth the trip many times over for sure.
As Davide highlights, those connections don't just stay within the event. They become profitable campaigns and deliver long-term commercial value.
Relevancy: Density & Quality
The density of mobile game growth experts in one place allows for an easy meeting of relevant decision makers. It reduces the need to hunt for relevant conversations and means you can meet everyone you need to in 48 hours.
I've been attending Gamesforum since the Berlin days, so seeing it move to Hamburg, where I'm based, made it extra special. Going back to when it was a single monetization day, what's always kept me coming back is the quality of the room. It consistently brings together the right decision-makers from across the mobile and gaming ecosystem. For someone in business development, that density of relevant conversations in one place is hard to replicate, and some of the partnerships built here have turned into long-term relationships. Value happens beyond the sessions and roundtables; in the hallways and side meetings where some of the best conversations and networking opportunities unfold.
The effectiveness of any event comes down to who is in the room. Gamesforum Hamburg prioritises quality over scale, curating an audience of decision makers from across the mobile growth ecosystem. This ensures that every interaction is relevant, intentional, and worth having. As Hajar notes, this concentration of the right people creates a level of access and opportunity that is difficult to replicate elsewhere.
Connections are made and partnerships built organically, thanks to the density and relevancy of attendees.
Relationships: Atmosphere & Environment
Because the relevancy is there, the talks and roundtables can go further, skipping the surface-level sessions people may be accustomed to. Sessions bring actual takeaways and provide real learnings that can be implemented as soon as the next day.
This creates a positive and accommodating environment in which to meaningfully connect and build your growth strategy.
My first GF Hamburg happened exactly when I was about to start as an ASO Manager at Kolibri Games, and what a surprise it was to meet offline for the first time the core of my future UA team right there. The conference feels intimate and thoughtfully organised: no need to shout over others, and your voice won't be gone the next day. The roundtables were a highlight, offering real insights from peers, with key marketing stakeholders also present. And the location adds to the magic, with panoramic views over the port city. GF Hamburg truly has a soul you'll miss afterwards.
Beyond immediate outcomes, Gamesforum Hamburg is built around fostering meaningful, long-term relationships. The format encourages open dialogue through roundtables and informal settings, making it easier to connect on a deeper level. As Natalia's experience shows, these connections often extend beyond the event itself, shaping teams, collaborations, and careers in unexpected ways.
Reputation: Consistency & Credibility
Building on the depth of content in three previous Hamburg editions, 2026 looks to go deeper still, focusing on genre-specific growth learnings.
Attending Gamesforum Hamburg for three consecutive years has made the event a cornerstone of my annual schedule. Engaging as both a host and a participant across workshops, roundtables, and networking events has provided me with a 360-degree perspective on the state of games marketing. This past year was particularly valuable for reconnecting with my long-term partners while also facilitating new consulting relationships with game makers across the Hamburg and Berlin hubs. Hamburg's position as a mobile gaming stronghold provides the perfect platform for these highly informed marketing conversations. It continues to be the essential forum for anyone serious about UA.
Consistency is what defines a truly valuable industry event. Over the years, Gamesforum Hamburg has established itself as a trusted forum for UA, product and monetisation professionals, delivering relevant insights and maintaining a high standard of discussion.
As Sebastian reflects, it has become a cornerstone of the annual calendar, offering both continuity and a comprehensive view of the evolving games marketing landscape.
Looking ahead to 2026
ROI, relevancy, relationships and reputation are not boxes to tick. They are what attendees come back for, year after year, and what makes the trip to Hamburg worth the time out of an already packed calendar.
2026 builds on everything that has worked, with a sharper focus on genre-specific growth across casual, hybrid-casual and midcore, more closed-door roundtables, and the same curated room of decision makers that makes the format what it is. Whether you are returning for your fourth Hamburg or considering your first, the 9th and 10th of June at the Nord Event Panoramadeck is where your H1 learnings get pressure-tested, and your Q4 plans start to take shape.
The right people will be in the room. The question is whether you will be, too.
