On May 26-27th, Esports Insider hosted its inaugural online event as a response to the difficult and unfortunate circumstances presented by COVID-19.
The ESI Digital Summit (#ESIDIGITAL), acting as the exclusive virtual version of the esports business conferences ESI has become known for, was a resounding success on multiple levels.
Not only did it well surpass the expected 500-attendee turnout, it was received incredibly well and is a testament to how adaptable esports is an industry. Hundreds of industry figures, and those aspiring to forge a career in esports, flocked to the online platform over the course of the two days to experience five important content tracks and network with like-minded individuals in a business setting.
#ESIDIGITAL 2020 | Día 2 | #Track2: Creación y contenido de una marca única. Cómo destacarse entre la multitud de los #esports. @byadamfitch, @esportsinsider; Jakub Lund Kristensen, @astralisgg; @cstmartin; Tricia Sugita, @FlyQuest. pic.twitter.com/OHGJqb0t4P
— The Esports Journal en Español (@esjlatam) May 27, 2020
With the absence of business conferences in esports due to the pandemic, the ESI Digital Summit was a welcome alternative. One of the main draws to the event, and something ESI tries to ensure, was that the topics that were put together were relevant and important.
From how venues will bounce back from COVID-19, to the state of esports in Japan, to creating a unique brand through compelling content, a lot was covered over the two days.
The likes of Tricia Sugita, CEO of FlyQuest, Erik Anderson, Head of Esports at FaZe Clan, Julian Tan, Head of Esports at Formula 1, Moritz Maurer, CEO of GRID, and James Dean, CEO of ESL UK, shared their thoughts and perspectives across brands and sponsorships, investments, the convergence of sports and esports, and betting.
Jakob Lund Kristensen, CCO & Founder of Astralis Group, spoke on the event: “As always it was a pleasure to participate even under unusual circumstances. When spending all your time and energy on building your company it’s easy to forget about the outside world, so I always appreciate the opportunity to be inspired by other trailblazers in the industry and their view on the important topics.”
You can view the full agenda of the ESI Digital Summit here.
#ESIDIGITAL | @Pinnacle & @GRIDesports: Marco Blume, Trading Director de @Pinnacle habla sobre la asociación y las tendencias en la industria de los esports y las apuestas.@eSportsMoritz, @GRIDesports. @esportsinsider pic.twitter.com/azH2HekfDt
— The Esports Journal en Español (@esjlatam) May 27, 2020
With employees from adidas, ESL, FaZe Clan, BLAST, WePlay!, Formula 1, Astralis Group, Fnatic, Kia, Rogue, HyperX, Movistar and Coca Cola all in attendance and available for meetings, ESI Digital Summit allowed those in the industry to properly network in a business setting for the first time since COVID-19 became a widespread issue.
Well over 500 people attended over two days, and many of them utilised the purpose-built networking functionality in the platform to forge new relationships and be in the same room as those who perhaps inspire them.
Herb May, Director of Corporate Partnerships for Houston Outlaws, commented: “I always appreciate the hard work that go into these events. Whether online or in person, the information and networking is invaluable and some of my best relationships in this industry come from Esports Insider. I’m very excited to be back in person for the next one.”
GRID, We Are Nations, Ross Video, Esports Global, GamingMalta, Staffordshire University, WePlay! Esports, Hotdrop, Promod Esports, and High Viz Media all helped massively in ensuring that ESI Digital Summit provided a valuable service to the industry and Esports Insider is eternally grateful for such support.
As always, thank you to those in attendance and for ESI Digital Summit’s partners for making the event happen – and a success at that. The world is still in a weird state but we’re committed to doing what we can to make things a little better.