May 27, 2026

IndieGameBusiness® Deep Dive: Building Strong Publishing Partnerships

Q: Where can I find more information on how to best utilize the MeetToMatch platform?

There is an excellent FAQ on their website . Beyond this, make sure you complete your company and personal profile on the platform promptly. Next add your game or service to the showcase system. Finally use the “Advanced Search” option to narrow down who you want to meet with and check back at least every 48 hours to see which new companies have joined the conference.

Join us in May for sessions powered by experts designed to help you find and sign the right publishing partner.

Targeting Learning for Real Impact

Free Lectures from Industry Professionals

Real World Advice from Successful Indie Game Developers

Here’s why you should attend this Deep Dive:

This May, we will focus on the many aspects of the publishing relationship, covering everything from identifying the right publishing partner and negotiating strong deal terms to establishing clear communication and building productive working relationships. Each session will feature industry experts sharing their insights on key topics, including:

+ Avoiding Common Pitfalls That Strain Partnerships
+ Cultivating Relationships Built on Transparency and Shared Goals
+ Negotiating Fair Terms and Expectations
+ Knowing When to Walk Away From a Deal
+ And more!

By attending IGB’s expert-led sessions, participants will gain the knowledge, tools and strategies to find and secure the perfect publishing partner for their game.

This event is for

Game Developers

Publishers

Investors

Events and counting

Attendees

Lectures

Confirmed Meetings

Registration Open

After the Event with Ash and Dan

Join Ash and Dan as they discuss the highlights of our May IGB Deep Dive: Building Strong Publishing Partnerships.
The chat will live stream on May 29th at 12:00 PM EST on YouTube, Twitch and LinkedIn.

New for 2026 – IGB Event Battle Pass!

What is included in the pass?

Sign up for the Battle Pass starting with our May Deep Dive and you will have access to 2 Deep Dives, 1 Sessions event with MeetToMatch and 2 Masterclasses for $140 (plus tax and fees).
(a 30% savings off the regular total price of $200 per person).

Get full access to expert talks, practical workshops, and direct industry insight designed for developers, publishers, and service providers — plus two days of MeetToMatch access during the September IGB Sessions to connect directly with industry professionals.

Included Events:
Deep Dive | May 27: Building Strong Publishing Partnerships
IGB Sessions with MeetToMatch | Sept 30 & Oct 1: The Path from Storefront to Success
Deep Dive | Dec 9: Game Marketing That Works

Included Masterclasses:
Heather Chandler: The Production Toolkit Every Game Team Needs — June 17, 2026
Ash Cason: Community Management: The Basics — Oct 20, 2026

IndieGameBusiness has helped me get in closer contact with people of the industry and learn from them, I feel like there are less barriers to get info, insights, publishing deals, etc… And I’m really glad they provide all this help and conferences for free, thank you very much!

BASTIEN BERNARD • Independent Game Developer

May Deep Dive agenda and Speakers

Previously Featured Deep Dive Speakers

Heather Chandler

Head of Production • Powell Group

Heather is a video game producer with 25 years and counting under her belt in the game industry. She’s led teams at Arrowhead Game Studios, Epic Games, Electronic Arts, Ubisoft, and Activision. She’s launched over 40 games across all gaming platforms and has worked on popular franchises including Helldivers 2, Fortnite, Star Trek, and Ghost Recon. Outside of game production, she mentors students and supports STEM education. She’s written several books and articles on game development and speaks at industry events.

Juney Dijkstra

Strategy & Business Innovation Director, External Development • Electronic Arts

As the XDI Strategy & Business Innovation Director at Electronic Arts, she supports the XDI team with enabling 50+ EA franchises & central teams like FC, Battlefield, The Sims, Apex Legends and Frostbite through finding, signing and optimizing external development engagements with uniquely diverse partners worldwide. She is also the Founder & Director of the Game Production Community, a 6.500+ member B2B game industry community of producers, project managers and leaders focused on exchanging knowledge & experiences in pursuit of sustainable, diverse, and profitable game development practices.

Kevin Asla

Creative Director • FOXBOY Productions

As Founder and Creative Director of FOXBOY Productions, Kevin Asla builds games that celebrate play itself. Dedicated to imaginative, player-centered design, his team crafts worlds filled with charm and heart; where narrative, character, and gameplay work in harmony to create experiences that surprise, challenge, and feel truly alive.

Deep Dive Sponsors

Diamond Sponsor

About The Powell Group

Founded by Jay Powell, a seasoned veteran in the video game realm, The Powell Group is a full service consultancy focused on helping developers, publishers, technology companies, conferences, and others grow and succeed in the world of video games. With a network of over 4,000 game developers and more than 600 publishers, the Powell Group has the broadest reach in the game industry.

Visit our website at powellgroupconsulting.com.

Silver Sponsor

Learn More

Frequently Asked Questions

Are IndieGameBusiness conference sessions really free?

Yes! All our video game conference sessions, round tables, Q&A sessions, etc are always 100% free to participate in. Plus you can find every past session along with all our podcast interviews online (for free) on our YouTube page.

I have my ticket to the IndieGameBusiness Sessions event, how do I log into MeetToMatch?

You should receive an email directly from MeetToMatch within a few hours of getting your ticket from EventBrite. Your login information will be included in that email.

How do I meet with indie game publishers, investors, and other industry professionals like me?

The MeetToMatch system allows you to easily search for the type of company you’re interested to meet with and reach out to them directly. You don’t have to know anyone or the contact information beforehand.

How can I become a podcast guest or speaker at one of the IndieGameBusiness Sessions events.

Submit your information and what you’d like to speak about using this link.

Where can I find more information on how to best utilize the MeetToMatch platform?

There is an excellent FAQ on their website. Beyond this, make sure you complete your company and personal profile on the platform promptly. Next add your game or service to the showcase system. Finally use the “Advanced Search” option to narrow down who you want to meet with and check back at least every 48 hours to see which new companies have joined the conference.

May 27, 2026

IndieGameBusiness® Deep Dive: Building Strong Publishing Partnerships

Registration open

IndieGameBusiness® Deep Dive: Building Strong Publishing Partnerships

Here’s why you should attend this Deep Dive:

This event is for

After the Event with Ash and Dan

New for 2026 – IGB Event Battle Pass!

What is included in the pass?

IndieGameBusiness has helped me get in closer contact with people of the industry and learn from them, I feel like there are less barriers to get info, insights, publishing deals, etc… And I’m really glad they provide all this help and conferences for free, thank you very much!

Previously Featured Deep Dive Speakers

Heather Chandler

Juney Dijkstra

Kevin Asla

Deep Dive Sponsors

Diamond Sponsor

Silver Sponsor

Frequently Asked Questions

Are IndieGameBusiness conference sessions really free?

I have my ticket to the IndieGameBusiness Sessions event, how do I log into MeetToMatch?

How do I meet with indie game publishers, investors, and other industry professionals like me?

How can I become a podcast guest or speaker at one of the IndieGameBusiness Sessions events.

Where can I find more information on how to best utilize the MeetToMatch platform?

May 27, 2026

IndieGameBusiness® Deep Dive: Building Strong Publishing Partnerships

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