Daniel Chadaway (Chad), who was appointed in February 2025 to lead Gaming for Stonegate Group, will join a key seminar at this year’s Amusement and Retail Entertainment Expo (ARE) — tackling one of the fastest-growing trends in the licensed trade: competitive socialising.
With more than 20 years’ experience spanning operations, food and gaming at JD Wetherspoon and Stonegate Group, Chad brings a rare blend of frontline operational knowledge and strategic leadership. Today, he oversees all gaming and pay-to-play entertainment across Stonegate’s extensive estate, with responsibility for compliance, supplier partnerships, innovation and commercial performance.
His perspective is grounded in real-world delivery — understanding not only what drives footfall, but what sustains revenue in a highly regulated and competitive market.
Competitive Socialising: From Trend to Strategy
The seminar, titled “Game On: A Practical Guide to Competitive Socialising”, will explore how venues can successfully introduce interactive, skill-based and immersive competitive experiences that resonate with modern audiences.
Competitive socialising is transforming nights out. Customers increasingly seek experiences that encourage interaction, friendly competition and social sharing — whether that’s tech-enhanced darts, shuffleboard, arcade-style gaming or fully immersive challenges.
But introducing competitive elements requires more than installing a game.
The Panel: Practical Guidance from Industry Specialists
Chad will be joined by Jade Craig of Inntegra and GameChangers, who will host the session and guide a practical discussion around:
- Selecting the right competitive concept for your audience
- Integrating new experiences into existing venues
- Managing compliance and operational efficiency
- Working effectively with suppliers
- Measuring return on investment
- Elevating brand positioning through entertainment
The focus will be firmly on actionable insight — helping operators move beyond theory and into practical implementation.
Turning Entertainment into Commercial Performance
Chad’s contribution will centre on how competitive socialising fits within large-scale, multi-site estates — and how operators can ensure that new entertainment concepts enhance both customer experience and bottom-line performance.
As the licensed trade continues to evolve, the question is no longer whether customers want experience-led venues — but how operators can deliver them effectively.
This ARE seminar aims to provide that roadmap.
Let the games begin.
