Alan Burak - Partner & Vice President at Monografie (SAGSE & GET IN Global)
Alan Burak – Partner & Vice President, Monografie (SAGSE & GET IN Global)
His career began at Monografie in 2002, where he quickly rose to become General Manager of the organizing company of SAGSE, one of the most iconic brands in the industry in Latin America. For more than 14 years, he led the expansion, modernization, and strengthening of the SAGSE seal in Buenos Aires, Panama, Costa Rica, Jamaica, and other markets in the region, consolidating the brand as one of the pillars of the industry alongside ICE and G2E. His leadership style, focused on personal relationships and building collaborative value, marked a stage of sustained growth and international projection.
In 2016, he launched one of his most ambitious projects: GET in Global, a company created to transform the way the industry connects, communicates, and evolves. From there, he promoted innovative actions, disruptive events, digital visibility platforms, and creative proposals adapted to the reality of each country and culture. GET in Global was born with a clear vision: to accompany a sector that is no longer just "gaming," but entertainment in its broadest sense, where evolution is constant and opportunities multiply.
Burak became a key player at both regional and global levels, consistently contributing to opening markets, identifying opportunities, and connecting organizations with key executives, operators, and suppliers in the region. His work was decisive in making the international ecosystem look at Latin America with a more strategic and closer perspective.
Since 2019, he has held the role of Partner & Vice President at Monografie, combining his historical experience with a modern and global perspective. His approach as a "Global Networking Expert" has redesigned how events are conceptualized and executed, integrating the best of the in-person world with high-impact digital dynamics.
Throughout his career, Alan has proven to be more than an event organizer: he is a bridge builder, a brand booster, a natural relationship facilitator, and a tireless creative, with a unique sensitivity for interpreting where the industry is moving. His background in marketing, multicultural experience, and command of multiple languages make him a key actor in the professionalization and expansion of the sector.
His philosophy is clear: “We are in the entertainment industry, and here everything changes very fast. From today and always, everything will be evolution.”
We spoke with Alan Burak to learn more about his trajectory, his vision for the future of gaming, and the human side of one of the great influencers of networking in the global industry.
The Origin: From the Neighborhood to the Universe
Where were you born?
Buenos Aires, Capital Federal, Argentina. August 27, 1981.
If you could walk through the neighborhood where you grew up as a child today, what would you remember?
I am a city person; I was born in the capital of Buenos Aires on Santa Fe Ave. I remember shops like Casa Tia, movie theaters, and especially Sacoa (the video game, pinball, and arcade hall where I spent many hours of the week playing!).
If you could go back in time to those years, what would you like to be doing?
Playing in the "fichines" (arcades).
What part of that child is still present in your life?
The passion for entertainment.
What did that child dream of being when they grew up?
I wanted to be an astronaut, to know the universe. Today I do it through work, knowing the world. Traveling to meetings, fairs, events, and meeting wonderful people.
Trajectory: The School of Experience
What was your first paid job?
I worked from a very young age with my father in a family business, selling car spare parts and agricultural sections for the fields. With my first salary, I bought a paddle racket and fireworks.
What was your first job in the world of betting/gambling?
I started at age 20 at Monografie, the organizing company of SAGSE, initially as an assistant. In a short time, I assumed more responsibilities and became commercial manager, always linked to the development of the exhibition: Marketing, operations, planning, management. From that role, I had the opportunity to know the industry from the inside, understanding not only the commercial dynamics but also the value of the ecosystem: operators, suppliers, regulators, and all the actors that make the sector's functioning possible. That early experience was key to my professional growth and to building an integral view of the industry, which I still apply today in the evolution of SAGSE.
What do you enjoy most about this industry?
What I enjoy most are human relationships. This industry gave me the opportunity to meet people from all corners of the world, learn from different cultures, and build bonds that go far beyond the professional. Traveling, exchanging views, and sharing experiences with very diverse actors enriches not only the business but also the way of understanding the industry and its impact. That human dimension, added to the possibility of being in constant movement and learning, is what makes this sector still so exciting for me.
What trends will mark the future of betting in the next 5 years?
First, Latin America will continue to be one of the fastest-growing markets globally, both due to its demographics and the evolution of regulatory frameworks and technological adoption. At a global industry level, four major trends will set the course:
Artificial Intelligence
, applied to personalization, fraud prevention, predictive analysis, and responsible gaming.
Gamification
, which will continue to transform the user experience and the relationship between entertainment, sports, and betting.
Prediction markets
, which open new models of participation and data-driven decision-making.
Sustainability and responsibility
, increasingly relevant, not only environmentally but also socially and regulatorily. The challenge will be to integrate innovation and growth with responsibility, ensuring that the industry's expansion is sustainable and aligned with the expectations of society and regulators.
What worries you most about gambling addiction?
What worries me most today is child cyber-gambling. The digital environment was not designed for children, yet they are exposed to a real jungle of misinformation, where they often cannot distinguish between legal and illegal. This scenario forces us to assume a shared responsibility. It is indispensable to work much more on sectorial and social awareness, reinforcing prevention, family education, and the role of the State. It is important to highlight that official and regulated platforms are already moving forward on this path, implementing biometric systems, identity control, and data traceability that prevent access by minors. The challenge lies in fighting illegal gambling, which operates without controls and exposes the most vulnerable. The solution is not to deny technology, but to regulate it, educate, and act responsibly, protecting those who need it most.
If you had to choose a boss who marked your professional trajectory, who would it be?
Without a doubt, Giorgio Gennari Litta, creator of SAGSE and a true visionary of the global gaming industry. 34 years ago, he had the ability to imagine and build an event with a vision of expansion, professionalism, and long-term perspective, when the industry in the region was still at a very incipient stage. Working by his side was a permanent school. From him, I learned the importance of thinking in an ecosystem, anticipating market changes, and building a brand with identity, credibility, and international projection. His vision remains a fundamental pillar in the evolution of SAGSE and in my way of understanding this industry.
What was the best professional advice you received?
“Your word is the law.” Fulfilling what you say, honoring commitments, and acting with coherence builds reputation and trust. In the long term, that is worth more than any contract.
If you had to summarize your leadership philosophy in a single sentence, what would it be?
Always forward, as a team. Because sustainable projects are built with vision, perseverance, and committed people walking in the same direction.
What do you value most in a job, beyond the salary?
What I value most are human relationships and the sectorial responsibility we have in what we do. Working with people, building trust, generating genuine bonds, and committed teams is what really sustains any project over time. I deeply believe that our industry, like many others, has a real impact on society, and that implies acting with conscience, ethics, and responsibility. Feeling that the work one does contributes to a more professional, more transparent, and more sustainable ecosystem is a value that cannot be measured only in economic terms. When those two things are present, personal and professional growth come as a consequence.
If you had not worked in this industry, what other profession would you have liked to pursue?
I always liked events and bringing people together; another profession would be a lawyer.
Quick-fire rounds
A book you would recommend?
The Little Prince.
A movie that marked you?
Back to the Future.
A favorite food?
Argentine Asado.
Wine or beer?
Malbec Wine.
A place in the world to live?
Buenos Aires.
A pending dream?
Traveling to space.
A hobby or passion outside of work?
Cooking and making asados for friends.
A personality you admire?
Maradona.
Work in the office or at home?
Remote.
A day at the beach or in the countryside?
Beach.
Employee or entrepreneur?
Entrepreneur.
Are you made or born?
Born.
Family & Friends
If your parents had to describe you without mentioning your position or achievements, what would they say about you?
Always forward, giving 100%.
How would your friends describe you?
Faithful and loyal.
Who is that person who still dares to tell you 'you're making a mistake' when everyone else says yes?
My friends.
How much has your family influenced you to be where you are today?
100%. The support at home is always reflected in the work.
To which person, who is far away or no longer physically present, would you like to give a hug? What would you say?
To Giorgio, my mentor. I would tell him that the SAGSE legacy remains intact.
Successes and Failures
What would you say to your younger version who at some point was suffering or about to give up?
That it's all worth it. Don't give up; life is beautiful!
What was the most difficult decision you made in your career and what did you learn from it?
Learning to be patient! It is an industry where patience has its rewards.
What has been your greatest achievement and what did it mean to you?
In this industry, there is no “definitive achievement.” Every year the button is pressed and it goes back to RESET: companies change, people change, markets and contexts change. Everything is deeply dynamic. More than 24 years ago, I understood that the real challenge was not to reach a specific milestone, but to learn to adapt and constantly reinvent ourselves as an event and as a platform. SAGSE is not sustained by inertia; it is rebuilt edition after edition. Therefore, my greatest achievement is annual: remaining relevant, maintaining the trust of the industry, and ensuring that SAGSE continues to be a valid and necessary meeting point, even in complex scenarios. That permanent exercise of adaptation is, for me, true success.
The Legacy
Where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years?
I see myself in the same industry, doing what I’ve always done: connecting Latin America with international markets. Actively collaborating with the United States, Europe, Africa, and Asia, creating bridges, opportunities, and long-term relationships. Helping new generations. Yesterday, today, tomorrow, and always, with the same conviction.
How would you like to be remembered?
As part of the SAGSE legacy. As someone who helped sustain, evolve, and project a platform that transcended generations and accompanied the growth of an entire industry in the region.
If you had to give life advice to another person, what would it be?
Love what you do and do what you love. Because when there is passion, commitment, and coherence, the effort is worth it and the results come as a consequence.
What question have you never been asked in an interview that you would like to answer?
“How do you know when to say no, even when the business says yes?” Because in 24 years of organizing events and building communities, I learned that real growth doesn't come just from adding, but from choosing well. Saying no to a sponsor that doesn't fit, to an alliance that doesn't respect the ecosystem's values, or to a premature expansion, is often the difference between building a sustainable platform or diluting a brand. In SAGSE, I understood that the true value is in taking care of the quality of relationships, protecting the industry's trust, and always thinking long-term. That implies making uncomfortable decisions, but also building something that transcends a specific event and becomes a reference for the entire region. That question almost never appears, but it defines everything we do.
Which industry colleague would you like to see answering this note?
Korbi Carrison, VP of G2E.