Esports Insider (ESI) is excited to announce the biggest international esports business conference is returning to the United States with ESI Washington DC, presented by LOOT.BET.
Taking place from May 16-18, ESI Washington DC will include a unique program of events and content with a focus on governance and esports growth around the world.
Across the three days, attendees will have the opportunity to experience panels, keynotes, and brand showcases from some of the industry’s most influential leaders, as well as an Embassies Tour, organized in partnership with Cultural Tourism DC.
The Embassies Tour on May 17 will include behind-the-scenes tours of several embassies that will aim to provide exclusive insights into how different countries and governments are approaching and developing esports in their regions.
After the tours delegates will come together for a joint embassies panel session on esports growth around the world followed by an evening social at Crimson DC, the uptown and stylish diner & whiskey bar, featuring views of the Monument, fantastic Southern cuisine, and a live band.
The traditional conference day and evening function on May 18 will take place at the iconic National Press Club. A space that has hosted presidents such as Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson, as well as icons such as Charlie Chaplin, in May it will play host to a series of discussions and debates on topics such as esports as a building block of real-world communities, the collegiate drive into esports, betting, regulation, and how traditional sporting entities make waves in the esports space and an esports ecosystem deep-dive.
Speakers include:
- Alex Inglot – Commissioner – ESL Pro League
- Mary Antieul – VP of Strategy – Vindex
- Hai Ng – Integrity Ambassador – ESIC
- Tahir Hasandjekic – Halo Esports and Viewership Lead – 343 Industries
- Martin Lycka – SVP for American Regulatory Affairs and Responsible Gambling – Entain
- Grant Paranjape – VP of Esports Business – Washington Justice
- Rebecca Brock Dixon – CEO – the*gameHERS
- Moritz Maurer – CEO – GRID
- Oskar Fröberg – Founder & CEO – Abios (part of Kambi Group)
- Laurent Benezra – CEO – React Gaming Group (parent company to LOOT BET)
- Andrew McNeil – Senior Director of Esports – Monumental Sports & Entertainment
- Chad De Luca – Director, Twitch Properties – Twitch.TV
- Ray Smith – Director, Gaming & Esports – NASCAR
The esports industry has seen explosive growth over the past few years, especially during the pandemic when traditional sports came to a halt and all eyeballs were on esports to fill the gap. Esports has also welcomed many diverse brands and prominent figures in the last few years such as Ralph Lauren, Drake, Spotify, FTX, and Usain Bolt cementing itself as a rich and prosperous industry.
Sam Cooke, Managing Director & Co-Founder of ESI, commented: “After a long hiatus from in-person events we are so excited to finally head back stateside.
“We are always looking at new ways to offer a unique conference program and I think our approach to ESI Washington DC will provide unrivaled insights into the global status of our industry. We can’t wait for attendees to experience the activities we have planned and forge authentic connections across the industry.”
ESI will host three global major events throughout 2022 as they look to offer even more networking and learning opportunities than ever before. Those interested can take a peek at the ESI Events 2022 Brochure here.
Washington DC will kick off the schedule of its Major conferences on May 16-18 with Singapore (July 5-7), and London (September 5-7) following. ESI will also host several of its invite-only affairs, the ESI Breakfast Clubs, throughout the year with events set for June in London, Amsterdam in July, and Cologne in August. Look out also for an announcement update on The Clutch, the live pitch investment competition, which will return with some major updates for 2022.
Follow Esports Insider on Twitter for the latest updates, and sign up to the twice-weekly ESI Dispatch Newsletter here. Tickets for ESI Washington DC are available here. Use discount code SBC15 for 15% off for SBC readers and subscribers. Offer ends at midnight on Sunday May 8, 2022, BST.
