In the wake of the success of its Asia Edition, the World Poker Federation (WPF) and the Poker Tournament Directors Association (TDA) – in conjunction with Brazilian Association of Poker Tournament Directors (ADTP) and the Brazilian Poker Federation (CBTH) – will bring its WPF+TDA Continental Summit to Latin America.
On December 1, following the BSOP Millions, the Sheraton Sao Paulo WTC Hotel will play host to a gathering of professionals responsible for leading, organizing, and regulating tournaments in the region.
Already, interest in the summit has exceeded set expectations with over 150 professionals confirming their attendance. The WPF and TDA anticipate that number to climb further, to more than 200 participants – including directors, organizers, and industry representatives from across Latin America, as well as those traveling from Asia and Europe.
Building on strength
In recent years, Latin America has grown to become one of the most active poker regions in the world – with Brazil, in particular, setting the benchmark for tournament operations. The WPF+TDA Continental Summit reinforces this growth by uniting regional and global leaders to align on ruling interpretations, advance knowledge, and improve collaboration among institutions throughout the continent.
Leonardo Cavarge, CEO of the World Poker Federation, explains the purpose behind the gathering: “This Summit in Latin America reflects our mission at the World Poker Federation to connect, professionalize, and elevate poker worldwide. It is about building collaboration and recognition for those who make the game stronger every day.”
Experts to guide the way
The Brazil Summit will bring together several key figures who have worked to establish the credibility of poker tournaments within the country and broader Latin America. At the forefront stands Devanir 'DC' Campos – TDA Member, one of the founders of the BSOP, long-standing member of the ADTP, and CEO of Stack Eventos. Campos' years of experience in building tournament operations lends invaluable perspective to the Brazil Summit.
“Brazil has one of the most advanced tournament structures in the world and events like this strengthen that foundation," Campos tells us. "The Summit is an opportunity to share our experience, exchange ideas, and keep raising the standard for poker across Latin America.”
Alongside Campos stands Alberoni 'Bill' Castro (President of the CBTH and Sports Director at the WPF), Roberto Soares (Head Tournament Director of the BSOP) and Marcus Junior (Tournament Director of the BSOP). With a wealth of combined practical experience in managing some of the region's largest poker festivals, each of these individuals brings high-level knowledge to the Brazil Summit.
Development and alignment
The Brazil Summit offers a full day of structured content – all aimed at improving and advancing tournament operations across Latin America – and will follow a similar format to the Asia Summit with presentations from notable speakers, panels of in-the-know professionals, and practical analysis. Similarly, the Brazil Summit will cover central themes addressed at the Asia Summit, such as the implementation of shot clocks to improve the pace of tournaments and managing disruptive behavior and table talk.
The WPF Women's Committee will partake in this edition the summit – following up on the impact that its global initiatives, such as the WPF Ladies Weekend. In Brazil, the Committee will continue its important work by engaging with Latin American industry representatives to support inclusivity within poker.
Castro reiterates the significance of this moment for the region: “This Summit reinforces Brazil’s leadership in poker and the importance of collaboration between federations. Through CBTH, we are proud to help connect Latin America’s poker community and strengthen the sport’s structure for the future.”
