The virtual EsportsNext Conference is designed to help you adapt and thrive in the ever-evolving esports industry.

INDUSTRY LEADERS

Engage with esports luminaries on industry trends and the future of the esports.

CRITICAL INSIGHTS

Gain real-world solutions for urgent challenges your facing today and beyond.

 VIRTUAL SESSIONS

Customize your conference experience – no matter where you are.

Set yourself up for success in 2021. Register for this year’s EsportsNext Conference. Not a member? Join today for discounts on professional development, and much more.

 

AGENDA

Day 1

9 AM - 9:50 AM CST

Join us for a morning networking Coffee Hour before we launch the Conference.

Sponsored By:

Atlas Bars

9:50 AM - 10 AM CST

Our Board Chair John Davidson and ESTA Founder and Chair Emeritus Megan Van Petten welcome our attendees, panelists, and sponsors to the 2-day conference, as we embark on the journey to get the latest news on the topics covered in the event, participate in various networking sessions, and listen to chosen contenders present their business ideas in our Elevator Pitch competition.

Speakers:

John Davidson
Linkedin

Megan Van Petten
Linkedin

10 AM - 11 AM CST

Leaders examine and discuss how esports content is produced, disseminated and consumed in an expanding online and "stay-at-home" market. Within an industry that was founded on technology, how will it lead or follow as investments in 5G and crypto emerge across mainstream business and our connected society?

Moderator:

Jared Steffes
Linkedin

Speakers:

JT Gleason
Linkedin

Matthew Gunnin
Linkedin

Justin Varghese
Linkedin

Adam Whyte
Linkedin

11 AM - 11:30 AM CST

Please take a moment to visit our Sponsors in the Exhibitor Booths.

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM CST

Leading attorneys provide the latest intel on pressing issues inside esports: IP, labor law, corporate structuring, investments, and gambling. How do companies utilize their power inside commerce to lobby and dictate law at the local and federal level that benefits their pursuits? What legal issues pressing esports are the most important and worth fighting for today?

Moderator:

Ellen Zavian
Linkedin

Speakers:

Scott Beckmen
Linkedin

Thaddeus Blenke
Linkedin

Joseph Clemko
Linkedin

Harris Peskin
Linkedin

12:30 PM - 1 PM CST

Join us for an Afternoon Networking Session, where we will provide several breakout rooms where you can network and participate in discussions around topics related to esports.

1 PM - 2 PM CST

Sponsorship dollars continue to pay the freight. How do endemic and non-endemic brands plan their media buys, how do they define their allocation to esports, and how do they measure their success and ROI? Who actually needs to be sold, and who signs off on these investments? What role does the agency play and who benefits the most?

Moderator:

Matt Hillman
Linkedin

Speakers:

Kelly Cagney
Linkedin

John Pierce
Linkedin

Stephen Buzby
Linkedin

2 PM - 3 PM CST

Why do they make the investment? Teams aren't making money today - so why do ownership groups invest? What's the attraction for esports ownership and when does the investment payoff? Listen in as team owners, players, and sponsors discuss the flow of money and how long until they anticipate moving from the red to the black.

Moderator:

James O'Hagan
Linkedin

Speakers:

Kyle Bautista
Linkedin

Brett Diamond
Linkedin

Zach Leonsis
Linkedin

James O'Connor
Linkedin

3 PM - 4 PM CST

The Esports Trade Association, in collaboration with global public opinion and data company, YouGov and our sponsor, Verimatrix, has compiled insightful research into esports viewers versus non-esports audiences to understand if they view issues such as integrity and trust differently. This 45-minute discussion will unveil key findings around their data privacy concerns, opinions on sharing login credentials for paid streaming services, the use of ad blockers, and whether it is ethical to download content without paying for it. ESTA members were also polled to gather their opinions and will be factored into the presentation. Please join Roger Payne, Key Account Director at YouGov, and Jon Samsel, Global VP of Marketing for Verimatrix, as they guide you through the esports attitudes about privacy, credential sharing and trust research findings and answer your questions.

Speakers:

Roger Payne
Linkedin

Jon Samsel
Linkedin

Sponsored By:

4 PM - 5 PM CST

Join us for a Virtual Happy Hour, as we come together in discussion to share a beverage and stories about you, your experience with our conference, share highlights, ask questions. Take advantage of the opportunity to network, meet your fellow attendees and speakers, discuss the panels you have viewed, and find out more about ESTA!



Sponsored By:

Day 2

9 AM - 9:50 AM CST

Join us for a morning networking Coffee Hour before we dive into Day 2 of the conference!

Sponsored By:

Atlas Bars

9:50 AM - 10 AM CST

Please take a moment to visit our Sponsors in the Exhibitor Booths.

10 AM - 11 AM CST

Who is leading this charge and why? What will be the impact of collegiate investment on the commercial world and how long do we need to wait? Are the HBCUs being left behind and if so, what's the effect? Are university leaders and athletic departments focused on the revenue first? What's really at stake and is an education in esports leading to a job in the esports industry?

Moderator:

Kye Browning
Linkedin

Speakers:

Michael Aguilar
Linkedin

Rob Johnson
Linkedin

Alex Rodriguez
Linkedin

Wim Stocks
Linkedin

11 AM - 11:30 AM CST

Please take a moment to visit our Sponsors in the Exhibitor Booths.

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM CST

How has the gaming society taken over? Where did it start and why is it now worth an estimated $1B+? Listen to esports insiders as they provide history, context, and reasoning behind the esports explosion. What is bringing families together, who is the consumer spending the household's money, how is this impacting buying trends, which companies are priming up to making an entrance into a previously unknown industry and world?

Moderator:

Syya Yasotornrat
Linkedin

Speakers:

Taylor Johnson
Linkedin

Vincent Minichiello
Linkedin

Erin Ashley Simon
Linkedin

Ernold Van Bueren
Linkedin

12:30 PM - 1 PM CST

Join us for an Afternoon Networking Session, where we will provide several breakout rooms where you can network and participate in discussions around topics related to esports.

1 PM - 2 PM CST

Where's the money and who is behind it? What verticals inside esports are evolving the fastest? Who and what is behind the scenes that's driving the most interest from the bankers, VC and PE? Why do investors prioritize esports over other industries, and what's the attraction for already successful businesses that want to enter the space?

Moderator:

Seven Volpone
Linkedin

Speakers:

Malte Barth
Linkedin

Josh Chapman
Linkedin

Wayne Kimmel
Linkedin

John Spiher
Linkedin

Produced By:

2 PM - 3:15PM CST

What developers and companies are mapping out and building the landscape to host esports events? How will these investments size and shape the demand of esports? Let's discuss the opportunity for real estate and bringing fans back to in-person events. Is this the right time to double down, especially during a pandemic? How do traditional sports share the spotlight and participate financially in this pursuit?

Moderator:

Miles Dean
Linkedin

Speakers:

John Fazio
Linkedin

Martyn Gibbs
Linkedin

David Kliman
Linkedin

Jonathon Oudthone
Linkedin

3:15 PM - 4 PM CST

Do you have an innovative idea, product, service, or social enterprise solution? Do you believe it could be the basis for a successful new start-up in the esports community? Then the ESTA Elevator Pitch Competition is the perfect opportunity to submit your idea for the chance to present it to a crowd of industry professionals. Open to ESTA members and conference attendees only.

Moderators:

Mike Bynum
Linkedin

Danny Martin
Linkedin

 


Produced By:

 

4 PM - 5 PM CST

Join us for a Virtual Happy Hour, as we come together in closing the conference to go over the highlights, create long-lasting connections, share about upcoming plans and find out about upcoming ESTA events.

ESTA Elevator Pitch (E-Pitch) Competition

Do you have an innovative idea, product, service, or social enterprise solution? Do you believe it could be the basis for a successful new start-up in the esports community? Then the ESTA Elevator Pitch Competition is the perfect opportunity to submit your idea for the chance to present it to a crowd of industry professionals.

Not a member? Join now and enjoy this exclusive member benefit, limited spaces available!

 

SPEAKERS

Michael Aguilar
Director of Esports & Co-Curricular Innovation
University of Oklahoma

Malte Barth
Founding General Partner
BITKRAFT Ventures

Kyle Bautista
Chief Operating Officer
Complexity Gaming

Scott Beckmen
Partner
Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP

Thaddeus Blenke
Patent Attorney
Thompson Coburn LLP

Kye Browning
Director of Esports
US Sports Camps

Stephen Buzby
Founder
Hive Gaming

Mike Bynum
Senior Associate
FedTech

Kelly Cagney
Director, Global Brand Strategy & Marketing Communications
TurtleWax

Josh Chapman
Managing Partner
Konvoy Ventures

Joseph Clemko
Attorney
Stinson LLP

John Davidson
Founder & CEO
Davidson Learning Company

Miles Dean
Director of Business Development
Fair-Play Corporation

Brett Diamond
Chief Operating Officer
Version1 + Minnesota Røkkr

John Fazio
CEO
Nerd Street Gamers

Martyn Gibbs
CEO
Belong Gaming LLC, Vindex

JT Gleason
CTO
Statespace Labs

Matthew Gunnin
Founder & CEO
Esports One

Matt Hillman
Founding Partner
Zoned Gaming

Rob Johnson
Chief Executive Officer
CSL Esports

Taylor Johnson
Chief Performance Engineer
Statespace Labs

Wayne Kimmel
Managing Partner
SeventySix Capital

David Kliman
President
The Kliman Group

Zachary Leonsis
Senior VP of Strategic Initiatives
Monumental Sports & Entertainment

Danny Martin
Co-Founder & CEO
Esposure

Vincent Minichiello
Business Development Lead - Gaming & Esports
The Production Network

Jonathon Oudthone
Director of National Programming
Nerd Street Gamers

James O'Connor
President & Founder
Pittsburgh Knights

James O'Hagan
Founder
The Academy of Esports

Roger Payne
Key Account Director
YouGov

Harris Peskin
Partner
ESG Law

John Pierce
Partner
Player 2 Studios

Alex Rodriguez
Esports Host / Commentator / Producer
Axeltoss

Jon Samsel
VP, Global Marketing
Verimatrix

Erin Ashley Simon
Host
VENN

John Spiher
Vice President, Partnerships
Dignitas

Jared Steffes
Co-Founder CRO
Muxy

Wim Stocks
Commercial & Partnerships Lead
Belong Gaming & Vindex

Ernold Van Bueren
CEO & Co-Founder
LEGS Esports

Megan Van Petten
Founder & Managing Director
Esports Trade Association

Justin Varghese
Business Development Manager
Shotcall

Seven Volpone
Co-Founder & Chairman
Subnation

Adam Whyte
Founder & CEO
Edge

Syya Yasotornrat
Co-Founder
Innovation Media
Enterprises, LLC

Ellen Zavian
Attorney, Professor, Editor, EZ Negotiation
George Washington University

BECOME A MEMBER
Not a member? Join today to gain free access to this event, discounts on professional development resources, and much more.

 

BECOME A SPONSOR

Interested in becoming a sponsor? For more information about sponsorship, please contact:

Megan Van Petten, Managing Director

312-771-7019
[email protected]