Vince Bogard is National Sales Director at Kalahari Resorts & Conventions, where he’s spearheading the brand’s entry into the esports market across all five U.S. resort locations. He’s here to make the case that family-friendly and tournament-ready aren’t mutually exclusive.
Tell us about Kalahari and what brings you into the esports space.
Kalahari Resorts & Conventions is a family-friendly destination resort brand with five locations across the U.S. — each offering a full suite of convention facilities, resort amenities, and the kind of hospitality infrastructure that makes multi-day events genuinely enjoyable for everyone involved. We’re relatively new to the esports community, and I’m the person tasked with developing this market across all of our properties. That means getting out to conferences and tradeshows, meeting organizers face to face, and making the case that Kalahari is a genuinely compelling option for esports events — especially those looking for a family-friendly environment that doesn’t sacrifice on experience or amenities. What we offer goes beyond a venue. We offer a destination, and that changes the conversation with organizers entirely.
What does Kalahari offer esports event organizers specifically?
We’re investing in the technology infrastructure needed to host esports tournaments at a high level — both in our meeting spaces and in our guestrooms. The goal is to be a cutting-edge, premier destination for events that fit the community’s parameters. We have the space, the hospitality infrastructure, and a built-in family appeal that sets us apart from a traditional convention center or arena. Competitors can play, and their families can make a weekend out of it. That’s a value proposition the industry doesn’t see very often.
What drew Kalahari toward the esports community?
When we looked closely at the esports community, we saw values that genuinely mirror our own — integrity, innovation, and collaboration. Those aren’t just words on a wall for us; they shape how we operate, how we treat our guests, and how we build long-term partnerships. Esports audiences are passionate, loyal, and community-driven, and that resonates with the kind of guests and organizers Kalahari has always been built to serve. That alignment made this feel less like entering a new market and more like finding a community we already belonged in.
What does the road ahead look like for Kalahari in esports?
We’re honest about where we are — this is the beginning. We don’t have a landmark esports story to tell yet, but that’s exactly what makes this an exciting moment. Joining ESTA is a first step toward building a real presence in this community. We’re engaging, we’re learning, and we’re confident that as we deepen those relationships, the stories will follow.
