
INTERVIEW
Interview with Charis Demetriou for PayOut Mag Interview with Charis Demetriou for PayOuMag HED: i-Con, Conference of Dreams DEK: An exclusive interview with Nexxie CEO Charis Demetriou by Dave Parkman The upcoming i-Con conference at the City of Dreams Mediterranean casino and resort in Limassol, Cyprus promises to be an unmissable opportunity for top industry leaders and innovators in dynamic high-risk verticals including Dating, Adult, iGaming, Crypto, Nutra and Sweeps. Taking place the 29th and 30th of May, i-Con will be held under the motto #OutOfThisWorld. Payout Magazine spoke exclusively with conference organizer Charis Demetriou, CEO of Nexxie Group, about this elevated networking, business and social event, which promises to continue expanding to new territories in the near future. PAYOUT MAGAZINE: What is your vision for the upcoming i-Con conference in Cyprus? Charis Demetriou: Firstly, I would like to thank you for the invitation to talk about the Island Conference! I’m sure your readers will greatly appreciate it. Our vision is to create an event that brings together leaders from high-risk verticals — such as Online Dating, Adult, Webcams, OnlyFans Services, iGaming (Online Casino & Betting), Crypto, Nutra, and Sweeps — to foster innovation, collaboration and growth. All of this will take place under one roof at the City of Dreams Mediterranean in Limassol, the largest casino resort in Europe. We aim to provide a premium environment where industry professionals can share insights, explore new opportunities and build lasting partnerships. Our goal is to make i-Con not just a conference, but a catalyst for industry advancement! PAYOUT: How is this conference unique? In what ways does it differentiate itself from other conferences in the sector? Demetriou: What really sets us apart from other conferences is our motto, “We take care of everything.” Behind the scenes, we have a highly organized and motivated team dedicated to ensuring that we make sure that you’re well looked after from the very moment you show interest in participating in i-Con — regardless of your budget, company size or business model. We handle every detail: from your arrival in Cyprus to your local transportation, accommodations, events and, of course, a smooth and engaging experience. i-Con also stands out by blending professional development with lifestyle experiences. Our partnership with Haze Team — Cyprus’s premier lifestyle event organizer — enables us to host nine unique events over the course of a week across various venues in Limassol, making i-Con a truly holistic experience. PAYOUT MAGAZINE: How has your personal background in the field influenced the way you have planned this conference? Demetriou: With over a decade of experience in the online dating industry, I saw a clear need for a conference that goes beyond traditional formats. My professional background has shown me the value of combining professional development with immersive, lifestyle-driven experiences. This has shaped i-Con into more than just a business event—it’s a place where real, meaningful connections are made. Being the founder of Haze Team alongside my career in the online sector gave me deep insight into hospitality and event management, which I’ve used to make i-Con a truly standout experience. PAYOUT MAGAZINE: What does i-Con offer for stakeholders in each of the main high-risk verticals? Demetriou: Through our targeted marketing efforts and strategic activities, we’re working hard to bring “fresh blood” — that is, new leads — into the high-risk verticals by raising awareness about these industries. Cyprus is home to a large community of digital nomads, individual affiliates, and content creators who might not have had the opportunity to meet face-to-face with such company representatives before. Today, Cyprus is a growing digital hub, positioned at the crossroads of Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Its strategic location makes it highly accessible for international participants and helps us enhance the diversity and reach of our conference. As an example, both Greece and Israel are less than an hour’s flight away from our airports. PAYOUT MAGAZINE: Can you give an overview of the speakers who will be presenting? Demetriou: i-Con 2025 will feature a diverse lineup of speakers, including C- level executives, SEO experts, media buying professionals, product owners and service providers. This year’s event is particularly exciting, with global platforms like Snapchat and LinkedIn headlining as keynote speakers. Katia Maevskaia, Client Partner at Snapchat, will share how brands can thrive on the platform. Jasmin Alic, a LinkedIn specialist and crowd favorite, will return to demonstrate how to build an empire using smart and flexible lead generation strategies. TEDx speaker Rob Hosking will offer motivational insights, drawing from experiences within high-risk industries. The Women in Tech panel will feature powerful voices from companies like Adsterra and Kadam. I myself will host the CEO Panel, which promises an honest and engaging conversation with leaders from top industry companies such as TrafficPartner, TwinRed and TrafficStars. Additionally, the i-Con Thematic Zone will allow attendees to dive deeper into specialized topics like Online Dating & Adult, AI, Online Payments, SEO and iGaming through workshops and targeted meetups — all designed to produce real, actionable results. PAYOUT MAGAZINE: What are some special events at the conference people should not miss? Demetriou: The events? That’s a tough one to narrow down! All you need to do is make sure you have the energy to attend all of the Haze Events, proudly sponsored by MOAR Offers, Bivial, Adsterra, TrafficStars, RedWalking, TrafficPartner, Mirelia, FlirtKings, TwinRed and AdsEmpire. Each event features a different venue, a fresh format, and exciting surprises — however, always bringing the i-Con vibe. PAYOUT MAGAZINE: What else can you tell readers about Nexxie Group and its relationship to the conference? Demetriou: Many know us through our successful and high-converting adult dating products offered through RedWalking, part of Nexxie Group. The same passionate team behind these innovations is driving i-Con forward, with one main objective: to refresh and reshape our industry—and to create growth opportunities for everyone who has believed in this amazing project. We’re all excited to welcome you to our homeland, Cyprus, in May 2025. We look forward