The Esports BAR is back this September, only this time around it’s heading Stateside. Reed MIDEM has chosen Miami as the host city for the second coming of the networking focused event for esports organisations, game publishers, brands and media.
The Cannes edition, which took place back in February and which you can read our write up of here, was a major success with a 96% satisfaction rate amongst attendees. Esports BAR Miami will follow up with the same format; a capped event with pre-selected attendees only, a major focus on pre-scheduled one to one meetings, and some knowledge sharing sessions to boot.
Reed MIDEM’s Stephane Gambetta told Esports Insider: “Reed MIDEM aims to accompany the strategic development of this rapidly-evolving industry. The purpose is to provide the most productive esports matchmaking experience possible, and better understand the needs of the sector.
“We’re supported by an advisory team of leading esports professionals, which includes Matthieu Dallon, Esport Strategy Director, Webedia and President, France eSports ; Sidney Kim, CEO of Rox Tigers and ROX Orcas OverWatch Team ; Ralf Reichert, CEO of ESL ; Mike Sepso, Senior VP Activision Blizzard ; Stuart Saw, Twitch’s Director of Esports Strategy ; Wouter Sleijffers, CEO of Fnatic and Arnd Benninghoff, EVP, MTG and CEO of MTGx Venture and Todd Sitrin, SVP & GM Competitive Gaming, EA. They’ll all be in Miami!”
Whilst there are a number of esports business conferences now in existence, the Esports BAR is positioning itself as a move away from these. Gambetta explained: “Esports BAR is a ‘by invitation’ event: it’s selection process is what makes Esports BAR unique, as it allows us to bring together over 100 people who will benefit most from meeting each other.
“Aside from the business insights sessions and a full programme of networking events, Esports BAR is centered around the 1-to-1 summit offering leading executives a full diary of guaranteed pre-scheduled meetings on site. What set the inaugural Esports BAR apart from other esports events was the high quality of professionals gathered in one place, dedicated to growing esports into the entertainment of the future.”
So after everyone had such a great time in Cannes, why Miami? Gambetta stated: “The U.S. is definitely one of the leading regions in esports; it’s constantly generating growing revenues from online advertising, sponsorships, media rights, merchandise, tickets, and additional publisher investment.
“Esports BAR heads to Miami to be closer to the main actors of the esports industry: designed as a global event bringing together executives from more than 20 countries active in the worldwide esports industry, the upcoming edition of Esports BAR is expected .to attract a particularly strong participation from the United States, Latin America and Canada.”
Those interested in attending the Esports BAR Miami (September 18-20) can apply here.
Disclaimer: Esports Insider is an official media partner of the Esports BAR