2022 AGENDA
Sunday, August 21 Wrigley Rooftop, 3617 N Sheffield
Directions to Wrigley Rooftops
12:00 PM - 4:00 PM CST (Game Begins: 1:20 PM CST)
Chicago Cubs vs. Milwaukee Brewers @ Wrigley Rooftops
Stadium tickets are not the same as rooftop tickets. For those who want a more social atmosphere during a Cubs game, including all-inclusive food and drinks, then this is the right place for you. Enjoy one of the many social areas, which include an air-conditioned bar, open-air shaded seating, stadium seats for watching the game, and a sundeck with wonderful views of the city. It's an opportunity you won't want to miss out on.
Location: Wrigley Rooftop - 3617 N Sheffield
Tickets are not guaranteed and are on a first come first serve basis, limited tickets are available. Last day to buy a ticket is August 14, 2022.
Frequently Asked Questions:
For those that purchase a Cubs Game Rooftop Event ticket, you will be placed on the guest list at the Wrigley Rooftop - 3617 N Sheffield venue. Must bring your photo ID to enter the rooftop.
We will be meeting at the Wrigley Rooftop - 3617 N Sheffield venue.
Transportation will not be provided from the hotel to the game.
There is easy access to the Grand - Red Line train stop from the hotel, it is a 24 min commute from the hotel. Uber, Lyft's, and Taxis are also available from the hotel to the game.
The Wrigley Rooftop is part of the Wrigleyville area with a view of the stadium, the rooftop is not inside the stadium.
The Rooftop Ticket is not included with your conference registration, it is an extra $160 ticket that is sold separately. You can purchase the ticket here.
Don't see any tickets available? Tickets are subject to availability, email the office at [email protected] to check availability.
You can purchase tickets here. Don't see any tickets available? Tickets are subject to availability, email the office at [email protected] to check availability.
Monday, August 22, 2022 Hyatt Centric Chicago Magnificent Mile, Grand Ballroom
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM CST
Registration Opens for Check-In
Come pick up your welcome packet/gear and learn about things to do around Chicago!
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM CST
Advisory Board Meeting
INVITE ONLY! Join us for the first-ever live ESTA Advisory Board Meeting. We'll be talking about the goals set forth for ESTA and the industry overall, as well as the different topics laid out by our industry leaders that will impact the overall esports industry.
Not a part of our ESTA Advisory Board? Join us today to be part of this exclusive meeting.
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM CST
Elevator Pitch Check-In
Come check in and learn more about the Elevator Pitch Competition pre-events such as the Quick Pitch and Pitch class.
3:20 PM - 3:25 PM CST
Master Of Ceremonies
Lewis Johnson returns as masters of ceremonies for the second year. He recently celebrated 25 years in the television business, most notably as an Olympic Commentator and Sports Reporter. He is one of few sports broadcasters to have worked for all three major networks, which include college football and basketball for ABC, Notre Dame Football on NBC, and March Madness for CBS.
MC:
Lewis Johnson
NBC Sports
3:25 PM - 3:30 PM CST
Welcome to EsportsNext
Our Board Chair, John Davidson, ESTA Founder and Managing Director, 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.
John Davidson
Esports Trade Association
Megan Van Petten
Esports Trade Association
3:30 PM - 4:15 PM CST
Panel: Esports Executives
Leaders from a variety of verticals in the esports space share their individual perspectives on our industry's opportunities, challenges, and predictions for 2023 trends.
Moderator:
Sandra L. Richards
Managing Director
Head of Global Sports & Entertainment and
Segment Sales & Engagement
Speakers:
Jonathan Anastas
Alpha Esports Tech Inc.
John Fazio
Nerd Street
4:15 PM - 5:15 PM CST
Speed Networking
Identify and connect with potential clients and partners for your business.
5:30 PM - 6:00 PM CST
Quick Pitch
Are you signed up for the ESTA Elevator Pitch Competition? This is the perfect opportunity to highlight your idea in front of a live audience. One lucky wild card winner will be chosen to present on Tuesday's competition!
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM CST
Welcome Networking Reception
Join your fellow attendees and exhibitors for cocktails and hot & cold hors d'oeuvre on a night your won’t forget! Come network with the esports community all while enjoying some delicious light appetizers and beverages.
James Hess
Encore
Hosted By:
Tuesday, August 23, 2022 Hyatt Centric Chicago Magnificent Mile, Grand Ballroom
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM CST, Hyatt Centric Chicago Magnificent Mile, Lakeshore Ballroom, 3rd Floor
Networking Breakfast Hour
Enjoy light breakfast and networking as we launch the Conference.
8:55 AM - 9:00 AM CST
Master Of Ceremonies
Lewis Johnson returns as masters of ceremonies for the second year. He recently celebrated 25 years in the television business, most notably as an Olympic Commentator and Sports Reporter. He is one of few sports broadcasters to have worked for all three major networks, which include college football and basketball for ABC, Notre Dame Football on NBC, and March Madness for CBS.
MC:
Lewis Johnson
NBC Sports
9:00 AM - 9:05 AM CST
EsportsNext Day 2 Introductions
Our Board Chair, John Davidson, ESTA Founder and Managing Director, Megan Van Petten welcome our attendees, panelists, and sponsors to the Day 2 of EsportsNext.
John Davidson
Esports Trade Association
Megan Van Petten
Esports Trade Association
9:05 AM - 9:15 AM CST
Message from our Title Sponsor:
Speakers (TBA):
9:15 AM - 10:00 AM CST
Panel: Scholastic Esports
Esports professionals across the educational ecosystem with different backgrounds share the opportunities and challenges they experience as they cultivate competitive and engaging esports programs on campuses and schools across the country. We will cover briefly how esports has evolved and where we all see it going in the upcoming years.
Moderator:
Jeff Palumbo
Lenovo
Speakers:
Katrina Adkins
SHI International Corp.
Gerald Solomon
North America Scholastic Esports Federation (NASEF)
Michael Brooks
National Association of Collegiate Esports
Jorrel Batac
North America Scholastic Esports Federation (NASEF)
Powered Up By:
10:00 AM - 10:45 AM CST
Panel: Impactful Trends
Analysts share significant trends measured through 2022 and insights on what you need to know for 2023.
Moderator:
Alex Kerr
Trajektory
Speakers:
Alexis Prousis
Blinkfire Analytics, Inc.
Joshua Wong
JEGI CLARITY
Terence Burke
Kidsay
Roger Payne
YouGov
Powered Up By:
10:45 AM - 11:15 AM CST
Networking Break
Visit our sponsors while enjoying some hot and cool beverages.
11:15 AM - 12:00 PM CST
Panel: Executing Successful Partnerships
Leaders from teams, leagues, and brands share the strategies they have employed to effectively engage the esports audience to create fans and increase ROI.
Moderator:
Vinny Minichiello
Zero Code
Speakers:
Rebecca Longawa
Happy Warrior
Justin Varghese
Panda
Charles O'Donnell
CSL Esports
Joe Cox
The Pop-Marketer
Powered Up By:
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM CST, Hyatt Centric Chicago Magnificent Mile, Lakeshore Ballroom, 3rd Floor
Networking Lunch & Awards Presentation
Enjoy some food and more networking during our lunch break, a short presentation from our sponsor Lightware Visual Engineering and an awards presentation for our Member of the Year and Game Changer awards.
Jason Tirado
Lightware Visual Engineering
Mike Ellsworth
Lightware Visual Engineering
Hosted By:
1:00 PM - 1:45 PM CST
Panel: Gaming for EVERYONE
How to identify, support and advocate for the underrepresented groups in esports.
Moderator:
Verta Maloney
the*gameHERs
Speakers:
Jean Marie Richardson
iFOLIO
Ryan Johnson
Cxmmunity
Sonja Stills
Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference
Lindsay Poss
Holodeck Media
Powered Up By:
1:45 PM - 2:15 PM CST
Fireside Chat
President & CEO of The Production Network, Allison DeLeone and Co-Founder and CEO of Odyssey, Reid SantaBarbara, share their innovative new platform which is enabling experiences for brands and their audiences in the metaverse.
Speakers:
Allison DeLeone
The Production Network
Reid SantaBarbara
Odyssey
Hosted By:
John Davidson
Esports Trade Association
2:15 PM - 3:15 PM CST
Elevator 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. Open to ESTA members and conference attendees only.
Hosted By:
Sharon Gill
Esports Trade Association
Judges:
Carlos E. Duque
Bailey & Glasser
Chris Gronkowski
IceShaker
Jill Williamson
Gravis Law
Powered Up By:
3:15 PM - 3:45 PM CST
Networking Break
Visit our sponsors while enjoying some hot and cool beverages.
3:45 PM - 4:30 PM CST
Panel: How to Fund Our Favorite Activity
Experts dig into ideas and tactics throughout the esports space to identify opportunities for teams and leagues to operate with financial success.
Moderator:
Jake Hicks
The Law of Esports
Speakers:
Cory Hollingsworth
ARterra
Brian Wilneff
Alpha Metaverse Technologies Inc.
Grant Paranjape
Washington Justice
Claire Kaido
Mercury Group Inc.
Powered Up By:
4:30 PM - 4:45 PM CST
Networking Break
Visit our sponsors and open-play area while enjoying some hot and cool beverages.
4:45 PM - 5:30 PM CST
Panel: Fan Engagement
Regulators discuss how this nuanced facet of the esports industry is developing and how to interact responsibly.
Moderator:
Anthony Gaud
Gaud-Hammer Gaming Group
Speakers:
Ari Fox
Gameacon LLC and the Casino Esport Conference
Adam Weinstein
ThriveFantasy
Charles Conroy
Unikrn @ Entain
Eric Weiss
Technical Compliance
Powered Up By:
5:30 PM - 5:45 PM CST
Elevator Pitch Winner Announcement
The long-awaited Elevator Pitch winner will be announced here! Don’t miss out on this exciting announcement celebrating only the best of the best in esports.
Directions to The Wit
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM CST
ESTA Happy Hour
Join us at one of the finest night clubs in the World, ROOF on The Wit for 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!
Scott Greenberg
Surge
Hosted By:
