ESPORTS LEADERS

ESPORTS LEADERS

ESPORTS LEADERS

Hyatt Regency - Private Dining Room

18th June

Esports Leaders

18th June

Esports Leaders

9.30am
Doors Open
11.45am
Opening Remarks & Welcome

Speaker

Sam Cooke

CEO | Insights Group (The Esports Radar)

Speaker

Sam Cooke

CEO | Insights Group (The Esports Radar)

11.50am
Beyond the Game: What Non-Endemic Brands Are Really Looking For

As gaming continues to attract commercial interest from brands with no native connection to the industry, the question of what actually makes a partnership work has never been more pressing. In this fireside chat, Expedia's Global Strategy lead shares what the decision-making process genuinely looks like from a major consumer brand's perspective, what rights holders and platforms need to demonstrate to earn a seat at the table, and how the industry can build propositions that are truly partner-ready.

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Speaker

Perla Bloom

Global Strategy | Expedia

Speaker

Alfie Wright

CEO | PlayMakers

Speaker

Alfie Wright

CEO | PlayMakers

12.10pm
Afternoon Roundtables
#1 Esports Nations Cup - Progress & Potential

The Esports Nations Cup was a huge announcement, with major ramifications worldwide. This first edition, scheduled to take place in Riyadh in November 2026, will see players compete across multiple titles with 100+ nations having secured official ENC country partner status, and with a prize pool of over $20 million. This roundtable unpacks the progress so far, and what the potential of the ENC going forward can be.

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Lead

Brian Krämer

Director of Product ENC | Esports Foundation

Lead

Rawan Albutairi

CEO | Saudi Esports Federation

#2 The Talent Pipeline Problem: How Technology Is Changing Player Discovery and Development

Identifying and developing competitive players remains fragmented, subjective, and resource intensive, especially across the pathway from high school to college to professional play. From AI-powered gameplay analytics to verified player transcripts and automated scouting, this session examines how technology can create a more scalable talent pipeline, helping organizations discover talent earlier, track development over time, and build a more connected scouting economy across every level of esports

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Lead

Shubber Ali

CEO | Omnic.ai

#3 What Makes a Great Esports City?

Some cities have become gravitational centres for esports events whilst others haven't quite made it stick.

What separates the destinations that work from those that do not, and what role do venues, local government, and the wider hospitality industry play in building and maintaining that reputation?

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Lead

Neil Johnson

Vice President, Esports Sales & Strategic Advising | ALHI

Lead

Neil Johnson

Vice President, Esports Sales & Strategic Advising | ALHI

#4 Not For Profit Status - Why It Matters for Esports

Since 2026, esports has been recognised as a non-profit activity in Germany. This chat explores the opportunities that non-profit status offers clubs, associations, and institutions, and its impact on youth development, structural development, and new business models.

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Lead

Chris Flato

President | ESBD

Lead

Franziska Seitz

Vice President | State Association Esports NRW

Lead

Franziska Seitz

Vice President | State Association Esports NRW

Lead

Mike Lautenschläger

Deputy Chairman | DSC E-Sport

Lead

Mike Lautenschläger

Deputy Chairman | DSC E-Sport

#5 Esports and Sustainable Growth: Time to Talk

Session details to be announced.

Lead

Zeynep Dechelotte

Managing Partner | The Krakenhaus

#6 Careers Post-Play - What do Esports Pros Do Next?

What do professional players do once they hang up the headset? What are the pathways, and are professional teams, and moreover is the industry at large, doing enough to cater to those in this position?

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Lead

Jonathan 'Loda' Berg

CEO | Alliance

Lead

Jesse 'JerAx' Vainikka

Former Dota2 Professional & two-time TI Winner

1.10pm
Lunch
Hyatt Regency - Private Dining Room