Technology and Esports have one of the most symbiotic—and exciting—relationships in the sports realm. Listen in as one of the industry’s most prolific tech brands offers its insights on where esports technology is going and how it is shaping the way gamers play, how fans engage and how the business community will evolve in the months and years to come. Get the latest buzz on the technologies just hitting, or coming to, the market, plus insider information on which tech tools and features will matter most. Up your tech IQ and walk away armed with what to watch for—and look forward to—in esports tech.

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Influencer partnerships are evolving quickly from didactic “paid placement” campaigns that simply display the influencer and the product together to in-depth programs that tell inspiring and aspirational stories. In this session, we’ll show you how—and why—some of the leading sponsors in esports are leading with storytelling in their campaigns. We’ll show real-world examples of winning campaigns and we’ll unpack what worked and how you can apply current best practices.

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From international championship series to regional conventions, this session will lay out the keys to success in a live event, from activating with sponsors to keeping the crowds entertained. Hear from the minds that are succeeding in the live event space and learn how to produce a gaming affair that will keep fans, partners and players alike entertained and wanting more.

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Prodigy Sports Principal Consultant Dan Rossetti welcomes a lineup of executives who will break down their company’s staffing needs, issues and openings and where they are finding talent. We’ll discuss the importance of diversity, transitioning from other industries and the skills that esports organizations are coveting.

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gootecks went to the Esports Business Summit 2019 and came back with lots of recordings of panels.

Of the top 15 highest monetizing PC & console titles through in-game purchases, 7 of those games are also top esports games in terms of prizing. Publishers see this correlation between high performing games and esports investment, but can the marketing cause and effect really be demonstrated? YES. For the first time ever we reveal actual data on exactly how viewing an esports title affects consumer behavior within that game title including play rate, game skills, and purchasing

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With the NCAA out of the collegiate esports picture, this annual gathering is poised to become the most important ever, as the leading faces discuss the future of collegiate esports, discussing and debating its growth and governance as the industry moves forward. In addition, we will hear from university officials in the trenches in a high-level discussion about the value of esports and gaming on campus, from communities to curriculums. Attendees will walk away with insider knowledge into the structures, new research into the sport, opportunities within the university system and guidance into the future of collegiate esports.

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Ryan Wyatt, Global Head of Gaming and AR/VR, Content and Partnerships, YouTube Gaming

Neil Johnson is Director of Global Sales—Sports and SMERF at MGM Resorts International. As a 2018 Connect Sports Game Changer, he discusses his passion for Esports tourism.

What I Do: I bring conventions, meetings and events to our 13 properties in Las Vegas and six other properties throughout the country. I’m assigned the sports (in particular emerging sports and esports) market, as well as the SMERF market.

How I Got Here: I originally started in the sports industry with positions at ESPN Regional at UNLV, Anaheim Sports Inc. (Anaheim Angels and the Might Ducks) and the Las Vegas Bowl. I left the industry and went more corporate meetings and incentives and recently came back to sports after a conversation with MGM Senior Vice President and Chief Sales Officer Michael Dominguez at the HPN Global Annual Partner Conference, where he asked if I would be interested in a global sales position at MGM Resorts that focused on sports and diversity. The rest, as they say is history!

Why I Am a Game Changer: I think we can all acknowledge the impact esports is having on the sports scene, as well as Fortune 500 companies—as seen with the NBA 2K—and leagues, teams and athletes owning individual esports franchises. I’m a key member of our internal esports team positioning MGM Resorts as an industry leader in this space.

Greatest Career Accomplishment: I was a member for the 2007 Leadership Las Vegas Class (a Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce program for 44 business executives); this was a leadership program that consisted of VP-level participants. Additionally, I was the 2017 Chapter President for the Southwest & Pacific Chapter of PCMA.

Impressive Stats: I’m part of an overall team that has secured several high-profile esports events including the Evo Championship Series at Mandalay Bay, Major League Gaming Las Vegas Open at Mandalay Bay, DreamHack Masters Las Vegas at MGM Grand and Rocket League Championship Season 4 World Championship at MGM Grand National Harbor in Washington, D.C. In all, these esports events have totaled more than 15,000 room nights.