Presented By
AGENDA AT A GLANCE
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM | Trinity Foyer
Kick off EsportsNext 2025 with an exclusive evening that sets the tone for tomorrow's opportunities. Join industry leaders for revealing insights into esports' current trajectory, market analysis, and emerging opportunities. Network with C-suite executives, brand innovators, and decision-makers
6:00 PM - 6:30 PM
State of the Industry
Join us for revealing insigths into esports' current trajectory, market analysis and emerging opportunities.
Jason Allsop
Senior VP & Managing Director,
Research Services West
Angus Reid Group
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM | Trinity Ballroom 5-7
Kickstart your EsportsNext experience with Coffee Connections! Join us for a fresh cup of coffee and delicious breakfast bites. It’s the perfect opportunity to make new connections and energize your morning before we dive into a day packed with insightful sessions and engaging discussions. Don’t miss the chance to network with industry leaders and peers in an informal, welcoming setting. Let’s brew success together!
Transform your vision into action during our power-packed main conference day. Each carefully curated session brings together industry pioneers who aren't just discussing the future – they're actively shaping it. From breakthrough monetization strategies to emerging tech innovations, our discussions cut through the noise to deliver actionable insights you won't find anywhere else.
9:15 AM - 10:00 AM
Championship Mindset: Finding the Leaders of Tomorrow
Erik Anderson
President
Faze Esports
Robert Dahlström
Director of Counter-Strike
Faze Clan
Danny Engles
Corporate Director, Global Operations
Team Vitality
10:00 AM - 10:45 AM
Future Proof: How AI & Technology are Reshaping the Game
Moderator
Brett Diamond
Adjunct Instructor
University of Minnesota
Shaun Meredith
Founder and CTO
Omnic.AI
KT Moore
VP, Corporate Marketing
Cadence
Alec Guthrie
Senior Partnerships Manager
100 Thieves
10:45 AM - 11:00 AM
Networking Break
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
OK Zoomer: Gen Alpha Takes Over
Moderator
Danielle Johnson
Executive Director
Texas Scholastic Esports Federation
Dani Mariano
President
Razorfish
Richard Goldsmith
Senior Manager
Deloitte Consulting
Megan Insco
Esports Director
YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas
Caleb Wilmoth
Director of Mobile Y
YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Lunch
1:00 PM - 1:45 PM
Competitive Blueprints: Building Tomorrow's Esports Ecosystem
Moderator
Jordan Trabue
Director of Partnerships
Anthros
Sean Charles
Director of Partnerships
Fissure
Nicolas Estrup
SVP Product Development
ESL FACEIT Group
Stephanie Harvey
Chief Culture Officer and RED Director
FlyQuest
Tahir Hasangjekaj
Director, Competitive Engagement
Halo Studios, Microsoft
1:45 PM - 2:30 PM
Creators Rule Everything Around Me: The New Power Players
Moderator
Megan Van Petten
Founder
Esports Trade Association
Sean Smith
Chief Executive Officer
Tribe Gaming
Britanni Johnson
Director of Influencer Relations
Dexerto
Justin Stefanovic
SVP Global Partnerships
Misfits Gaming Group
Cody Bland
Senior Operations Manager
Dude Perfect
2:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Fireside Chat with FaZe Apex
Moderator
Erik Anderson
President
Faze Esports
Faze Apex
3:00 PM - 3:15 PM
Forging Tomorrow's Leaders: Key Insights from the Next Gen Esports Leadership Lab Powered by SHI
Snow White
Director of Education Sales Strategy
Intel
3:15 PM - 4:00 PM
Building the Future: The Evolving Landscape of Collegiate Esports
Moderator
Justin M. Jacobson
Adjunct Professor
University of North Carolina - Wilmington
Jacob VanRyn
Commissioner / CEO
NECC
Wil Fisackerly, Ph.D
Lecturer of Sports Business
University of Oklahoma
Tom Screech
Instructor, Esports Management
Harrisburg University of Science and Technology
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
The Texas Esports Phenomenon: Building a Digital Sports Capital
Moderator
John Davidson
Founder
DLC
Ginger Lively Cade
Sr. Director of Sales
Dallas Sports Commission
Corey Dunn
Director, Publisher Operations
ESL FACEIT Group
Mike Rufail
Founder and Chief Gaming Officer
Envy Gaming
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM | Trinity Foyer
Join us for Legends and Libations, the premier reception at the ESTA Industry Awards. As we prepare to unveil and celebrate this year’s honorees, enjoy an evening filled with fine drinks, elegant appetizers, and the company of esteemed industry leaders.
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM | Trinity Ballroom 4 & 8
Join us as we reveal the winners of the 2025 ESTA Industry Awards.
1:00 PM - 1:45 PM
Building a Thriving Esports Trade Ecosystem
This session will provide a blueprint for designing and implementing a vibrant local, state, or regional esports ecosystem that seamlessly integrates educational initiatives with business opportunities. Leave with actionable insights to transform your esports community into an interconnected network of opportunity.
Moderator
Ansley Partosa
Marketing Specialist
NASEF
Austin Espinoza
Esports Coordinator
University of Texas - Austin
Julian "Aeolus" Caggiono
Managing Director
Ghost Gaming
Maggie Robison
Esports Coach
Prosper ISD
May 22-23 | Trinity 3
Take a break and recharge in our dedicated relaxation space -- The Hangout Zone Presented by Archer & Greiner!
Grab a refreshment from our selection of drinks and snacks, power up your devices at our charging stations, challenge friends to a quick race in Mario Kart, or catch the latest action on our live DreamHack stream. The Hangout Zone is your perfect pit stop between sessions—whether you need to refuel, connect with other attendees in a casual setting, or simply enjoy a moment of gaming fun before diving back into the conference.
Resources For EsportsNext 2025
Welcome to the heart of EsportsNext 2025! Whether you’re looking for venue maps, exhibitor details, or essential event information, our Resource Section is your go-to guide for navigating this exhilarating conference.
- Archer & Greiner P.C.
- EventPipe
- ESTA
- SHI International Corp
- Dallas Sports Commission
- Children's Health Dallas
- TourneyBit LLC
- Morgan Stanley
- Ultimate Gaming Championship
- Vela Wood
Enjoy premier dining in the heart of Downtown Dallas with Restaurants on Lamar's variety of dining options. Restaurants on Lamar is the ultimate dining destination for visitors and locals alike. Journey through our seasonal features evolving carefully curated ingredients that create extraordinary cuisines.
Black Ship Little Katana
East meets West at Black Ship Little Katana. The casually elegant restaurant features sushi, Japanese and traditional Korean dishes along with a creative take on American fare.
Bob's Steak & Chop House
Bob's Steak & Chop House is a nationally renowned steak house specializing in the finest corn-fed, Midwestern prime beef. The menu formula at this Dallas culinary landmark is simple: incredible meat, gigantic shrimp, fabulous salads and decadent desserts.
Cafe Herrera
A new generation of a Dallas Tex-Mex staple, Cafe Herrera continues the tradition of the Herrera family, fusing heritage with contemporary Mexican food and classic cocktails.
Hops & Hens
Hops & Hens serves up thoughtfully prepared chicken tenders and sandwiches made with a unique brine that includes hops and brewer spices to pair perfectly with the house made sauces, hearty sides and 15+ local brews on tap.
Pegasus Bar
Discover the perfect place to meet up with friends, catch up before a meeting or relax while you enjoy one of our signature cocktails, coffee from Morsel's or a light snack.
Pegasus Pizza
Pegasus Pizza is a timeless New York style pizza spot with a local, classic and creative flair. The name offers a nod to the iconic red Pegasus, prominently perched on Pegasus Lawn. Pegasus Pizza uses the finest ingredients including organic tomatoes and craft meats. The pizza is then hearth baked at high temperatures for the perfect charred crust.
Texas Spice
Texas Spice captures the true flavor of Texas with an emphasis on local ingredients and southern style offering a twist on hometown classics. The innovative farm-to-market concept incorporates the freshest ingredients to create great food and a casual dining experience.
Introducing the Ginger Snapper Whipper, exclusively available at Texas Spice! A new old-fashioned chocolate perfectly prepared with Kate Weiser’s Decadent dark drinking chocolate, gingersnap syrup, scrumptious spices, and a pinch of salt.
The Owners Box
The Owners Box at Omni Dallas Hotel is a sports lover's dream with state-of-the-art features and the latest technology including a 16-foot screen for viewing the game. The full-service bar and authentic menu is just the start to an amazing sports bar.
A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO
