The world of gaming and esports – which gives marketers access to a vast and engaged audience, unbound by geography – is set to take centre stage at SportAccord 2024, which opens its doors in just three days.
Want to join the biggest global operators to understand how gaming and esports can enhance brand visibility, engagement and long-term success?
Meet Mark Rein, Vice President of Epic Games, creator of Fortnite and Unreal Engine at SportAccord 2024’s Plenary Conference (Wednesday, 10 April).
Rein – fresh off the back of The Walt Disney Company’s first move into video games with its $1.5bn partnership with Epic Games – will address the impact of new gaming on media, sports and the wider world in a Keynote Conversation with our moderator extraordinaire and broadcaster David Eades.
Birmingham-West Midlands – gaming and esports hotbed in spotlight
Did you know that Birmingham-West Midlands is home to one of Europe’s leading gaming markets – with the leafy Royal Leamington Spa town now home to over 130 gaming companies, earning its reputation as ‘Silicon Spa’?
Not only that – the region has cemented itself as the home of esports events, staging the first ever Commonwealth Esports Championships in 2022 and Commonwealth Esports Forum at the award-winning International Convention Centre, home to SportAccord 2024!
As Birmingham – West Midlands continues to grow its reputation as a location for esports, this year is shaping up to be a significant one for the region with ESL One Dota II and SuperDome international tournaments taking place in Solihull and the University of Warwick winning the UK’s ‘Esports University of the Year’ for the fifth year running.
“The opportunity to connect, learn and share the world of esports with leaders of the world’s sports community at SportAccord in Birmingham – West Midlands, where we staged the first Commonwealth Esports Championships in 2022 – is very special,” underlined Paul Foster – CEO of Global Esports Federation.
“The innovations in gaming, esports, data and technologies are accelerating faster than ever, and we are happy to share that at SportAccord this year.”
‘New frontier’ roundtable – what next for gaming and esports?
Are you a sports rights holder, or just keen to understand exactly how gaming and esports can boost interactive engagement opportunities with your audiences?
Join us for the ‘Gaming and esports: a real opportunity or passing fad?’ roundtable!
“The esports industry as we know it is changing, and as we look ahead to the future there’s plenty to be excited about,” explained Alban Dechelotte – CEO of G2 Esports and Member of International Olympic Committee Esports Commission.
“We’re seeing huge initiatives like the Olympic Esports Games and the Esports World Cup creating opportunities for players from multiple games to compete on a global stage, as well as a continuing upward trend in women’s esports.
“The lines between esports and sports are blurring more and more – this panel aims to outline the opportunity of esports in 2024.”
Meet Dechelotte and Foster with Alice Dearing – Olympic open water swimmer and gamer and Alex Inglot – Commissioner of ESL Pro League for this exciting session moderated by David Dellea – Director, Altman Solon.
“The demographics and engagement levels of esports and gaming fans simply cannot be ignored by sponsors, media and content platforms, and of course rights owners,” said Inglot. “Understanding the whys and hows to create credible propositions that speak to, attract and retain those fans is key to unlocking the sport industry’s future.”
SportAccord 2024 – join world’s leading sports industry experts
Meet renowned global experts in sport, industry and academia and join over 1,500 delegates and exhibitors at SportAccord World Sport & Business Summit on 7-11 April at the award-winning International Convention Centre (ICC) in Birmingham – West Midlands.
Register now: https://register.event-works.com/sportaccord/birmingham2024/e/ce/
Partners
SportAccord2024 is supported by a number of partners and suppliers:
- Gold Partner: Sport Event Denmark
- Silver Partners: EventScotland, Explore Edmonton, Tourism & Events Queensland
- Bronze Partner: Sport Liverpool, Sports Authority of Thailand
- Official Suppliers: DB Schenker, Wiz-Team
