Esports Connected With Megan Van Petten

Welcome to the Esports Connected Podcast! In this episode, we chat with Ron Kerbs, Founder and CEO of Kidas, about his groundbreaking AI-powered software, ProtectMe Bot. Despite Discord's efforts to enhance moderation, toxicity still infiltrates voice chats. Ron's innovative solution addresses this gap by monitoring both voice and text communications to safeguard young users from predators, scammers, and cyberbullies. We'll explore how Kidas' technology empowers server administrators with actionable insights and the importance of creating safer online gaming environments. Tune in to hear Ron's journey from Israeli military service to leading Kidas and his vision for a more secure and inclusive esports community.

Welcome to the Esports Connected Podcast, where we explore the dynamic world of competitive sim drifting with our special guest, a passionate tournament organizer deeply involved in the sim racing scene. In this episode, we uncover the origins of the Esports Drifting Association (ESDA) and its strategic partnerships with industry leaders like Next-Level Racing, MOZA Racing, and Firman. Our guest shares insights into the challenges and nuances of competitive sim drifting, ESDA's experiences at Dreamhack, and their mission to expand sim drifting in the esports world. From their entry point into esports through fighting games to being a member of ESTA for networking, discover the journey of our guest in shaping the esports industry. Join us for an engaging conversation at the intersection of esports, sim racing, and drifting on the Esports Connected Podcast!

Welcome to the Esports Connected Podcast, where we delve into the dynamic world of esports and its intersection with education. Join David Bruno and Sean Dwyer, as they share their journeys into the esports industry, from casual gamers to key players in academic and competitive spaces. In this episode, explore the incredible growth of Cougar Esports at Camden County College, from its inception to current opportunities. Discover the NJ Pathways Project in Esports Production and Content Creation and the duo's roles in overseeing it. Get to know the hosts with fun facts, and explore their insights on industry trends, challenges, and the importance of inclusivity. From the unexpected encounters with political figures to running marathons, David and Sean bring a unique perspective to the podcast. Don't miss the discussion on academic opportunities and the duo's commitment to shaping paths forward with industry standards. Join us in unraveling the esports landscape, its evolving dynamics, and the passion that drives educational initiatives forward. Tune in for an engaging conversation that transcends the boundaries of gaming and education.

Join us on the Esports Connected Podcast for an exclusive Q&A session with Titus Walker, the dynamic CEO of Ultimate Endgamers League (UEL). Titus, a lifelong gamer and visionary entrepreneur, shares his inspiring journey from childhood gaming experiences to leading the charge in esports innovation. In this episode, Titus provides insights into UEL's latest endeavors, including a TV show, major tournaments, and a groundbreaking Casino esports deal. Learn about his unique entry into esports, challenges faced, and his mission to build a sustainable esports industry free from reliance on others' intellectual property. Titus's commitment to inclusivity and community-building shines through as he discusses the future of gaming and shares his vision for UEL as a global esports powerhouse. Subscribe now to catch this compelling conversation and stay connected with the forefront of esports evolution.

Welcome to the Esports Connected Podcast, featuring Mark Consiglio, a 20-year veteran in the event technology industry and current Account Executive at 4Wall Entertainment. Join us as Mark discusses his transition from traditional sports and entertainment to esports, sharing insights into creating synergies between the events and sports business. Explore his role in managing esports opportunities at 4Wall and the potential ownership of esports-specific equipment. Mark opens up about his entry into gaming, love for ice hockey, and passion for live events. As a member of ESTA, he reflects on industry trends and advocates for inclusivity. Gain behind-the-scenes insights and industry perspectives on the Esports Connected Podcast—your go-to for all things esports and live events. Subscribe now!

In this episode of the EsportsConnected Podcast, we sit down with Danielle Rourke, a technology strategist turned gaming entrepreneur. After a successful career at Dell Technologies, Danielle launched Gaming Culturist, LLC, a consulting business aimed at bridging the gap between the gaming world and education. Join us as we explore Danielle's journey from childhood gaming enthusiast to esports advocate, discussing her passion for diversity and inclusion in the industry, her unexpected adventures, and her vision for a more inclusive and sustainable gaming community. Tune in for an inspiring conversation with a true gaming and esports culturist.

Welcome to the Esports Connected Podcast with Patricia Driscoll and Christina Grimes! Join us as we embark on a thrilling exploration of the dynamic world of esports. From the electrifying energy of live esports events that bring communities together to the ever-evolving technology that drives the industry, we dive deep into the passion and innovation that fuels this vibrant space. Our conversations touch on the significant changes and trends we've witnessed since entering the esports realm, highlighting the growing recognition of gaming as more than just a hobby. We also emphasize the importance of inclusivity, advocating for diversity, and celebrating the inspiring women who are breaking barriers in the industry. Tune in as we share insights, engage in thought-provoking discussions, and connect with the passionate individuals shaping the future of esports on the Esports Connected Podcast.

What was your entry point into esports/gaming and what is your current role?: I run a network of nonprofits that use Esports for education and empowering youth; high school Esports Coach; collegiate Esports Coach.Why did you decide to become a member of ESTA?: I wanted more insight into the industry and how we can expand it into Connecticut.Tell us 3 fun/unexpected facts about yourself: I started a GI Joe toy repair business in the 5th grade; I wasn't allowed to play video games, and didn't own a console until I was 18; I got a Certificate of Recognition from the City of New York for peer mentoring work at 19 and have been doing advocacy work ever since.Which aspect of the esports industry are you most passionate about?: Scholastic Esports is my expertise. I'm empowering youth and advocating for scholastic Esports in schools in multiple States and working with an education company in Dubai and several other initiatives geared at bringing Esports to schools across the African continent.

Why did you get involved in esports? What was your entry point and what is your current role? I started in esports by helping build EGLX starting all the way back in 2014.Why did you decide to become a member of ESTA? To help develop the gaming industry in Toronto.What is your expertise/niche and how do you see that changing relative to the esports industry? What are you doing now? Where are you making an impact? I'm currently focused on building XP Gaming and through that, the XP Game Developer Summit in Toronto and Vancouver. I hope to create a platform where more esports deals can be made.Since you've entered the esports industry, what has been the biggest industry change or trend that you've seen? Have you felt the impact of this change? I've seen the industry go from mainly grassroots communities to mainstream attention - for better or worse.What is your favorite esports title, genre, and/or esports passion? Smash Bros and Hearthstone.

What is your expertise/niche and how do you see that changing relative to the esports industry? What are you doing now? Where are you making an impact?: Creating big esports competition building infrastructure changing the Economic Growth of esports and giving back to our underserved communities. Since you've entered the esports industry, what has been the biggest industry change or trend that you've seen? Have you felt the impact of this change?: I've seen a lot companies expand and try to focus on local communities  What is your favorite esports title, genre, and/or esports passion?: NBA 2K/Call Of Duty  We are all about making a real connection - not talk about just business - what's the most FUN or craziest thing that happened to you this past year?: I got offered to create a esports experience at the 2024 international car show at the devos place exotics cars billionaire family. Tell us about a situation that you can look back on and say that it defined, or really influenced you as you are now or doing what you are doing now? A “fork in the road” moment?: Going to The Esports Trade Association 2022 What lies ahead for you? What is your biggest goal for the year ahead?: Put the Second worst city for economic development on for Esports and do it in a fun equitable fashion What is your parting advice for the industry?: Create opportunities for all people and be fair 

Why did you get involved in esports? What was your entry point and what is your current role?: We got drawn into the world of Esports through our Valari gaming pillow product, which we believe can play a role in improving the comfort and enjoyment of professional & casual gamers Why did you decide to become a member of ESTA?: We would like to be involved more in the Esports ecosystem, we would like to network with other businesses in gaming and Esports and we would like to learn more about Esports. Tell us 3 fun/unexpected facts you would like us to mention when we introduce you?: The Valari was inspired by Nadim using his wife's nursing pillow. We launched on Kickstarter. The company was founded in Beirut, Lebanon in the middle of one of the bigges economic and political disasters in history. What is your expertise/niche and how do you see that changing relative to the esports industry? What are you doing now? Where are you making an impact?: Our niche is comfort and ergonomics in gaming. We started by launching our gaming pillow but we see this expanding into a range of gaming peripherals and accessories designed with comfort in mind. We believe this will have beneficial impact on the comfort and posture of gamers. Since you've entered the esports industry, what has been the biggest industry change or trend that you've seen? Have you felt the impact of this change?: We just entered the space so too soon for us to comment on this We are all about making a real connection - not talk about just business - what's the most FUN or craziest thing that happened to you this past year?: Our trip to Twitchcon in San Diego was a really fun and interesting experience Tell us about a situation that you can look back on and say that it defined, or really influenced you as you are now or doing what you are doing now? A “fork in the road” moment?: Probably really early on in our development of the Valari pillow we made a decision to launch on Kickstarter. While Kickstarter certainly has its challenges, and it certainly wasn't easy, it was definitely the right decision as we managed to prove the concept in a significant way and draw the interes of our current investor.

Why did you get involved in esports? What was your entry point and what is your current role?: I view esports as a terrific way to engage a vibrant community and audience for fundraising. My entry point was watching the Starcraft championships in South Korea. As a video gamer, it's awe-inspiring to see stadiums filled with people who want to watch a competitive video game tournament. Currently, I serve as the livestream gaming SME at Doctors Without Borders USA. Why did you decide to become a member of ESTA?: I felt that the ESTA's wealth of experience in esports could be a source of learning for both my company and at Doctors Without Borders USA Tell us 3 fun/unexpected facts you would like us to mention when we introduce you?: 1) As a Twitch streamer, I've raised over $7K for orgs, and about 75% of that was from donation incentives for eating Beanboozled jelly beans; 2) I was a member of the American Homebrew Association and livestreamed how to make beer; 3) Found out that the #2 biggest lie in competitive video games is "I'm bad at Mario Kart" What is your expertise/niche and how do you see that changing relative to the esports industry? What are you doing now? Where are you making an impact?: My expertise is in utilizing livestream media, specifically gaming, as a vehicle for fundraising. I see more esports events organized as a fundraiser for various organizations. For example, Dreamhack does plenty of events for charity. What I am trying to do is to make connections between organizations and esports organizers to try and get more fundraising events on calendars. Since my venture is new, I haven't had any impact yet, but I hope to start making an impact at college esports, in particular at my alma maters Rutgers and Seton Hall, who have established esports programs. Since you've entered the esports industry, what has been the biggest industry change or trend that you've seen? Have you felt the impact of this change?: The biggest change is the growing level of acceptance. Gaming in general has grown from being viewed as a hobby and is now viewed as a full-blown industry. The impact of this in the fundraising sphere is an increase in corporate giving either via event sponsorships or by direct donations to nonprofits. What is your favorite esports title, genre, and/or esports passion?: Overwatch We are all about making a real connection - not talk about just business - what's the most FUN or craziest thing that happened to you this past year?: The most fun was attending TwitchCon. It was great to meet up with colleagues from across the nonprofit industry, as well as seeing friends I've met on Twitch and hanging out with them in person for the first time. Tell us about a situation that you can look back on and say that it defined, or really influenced you as you are now or doing what you are doing now? A “fork in the road” moment?: 6 years ago, at my last job, I was told to watch Summer Games Done Quick - a speedrun event to raise money for Doctors Without Borders. For years, organizations had been looking to engage younger audiences and failed. Now, I see an org that has embraced gaming and seeing the dividends pay off. I was inspired by this and I tried to get a similar initiative started at my last job, but alas my pleas fell on deaf ears. When a job opened up at Doctors Without Borders, even though it wasn't related to gaming, I jumped on it and it's where I am today. Though I still work at Doctors Without Borders, I am also able to work with other organizations and their gaming fundraising initiatives. It's so refreshing to be involved with folks who understand the gaming world and are always trying to figure out how best to utilize it as a way to raise funds as well as for advocacy.

Meet Matthew Hixon of Gamers Glorified. Gamers Glorified works with youth gamers by giving them a social outlet where they can come together in a safe environment, learn new games, and make new friends. To learn more about Gamers Glorified, visit: GamersGlorified.com Full Episode Q&A Why did you get involved in esports? What was your entry point and what is your current role?: I've been a competitive and professional gamer since 1999 Why did you decide to become a member of ESTA?: Because of ESTA Network and connections. Tell us 3 fun/unexpected facts you would like us to mention when we introduce you?: Born in England, I have dual citizenship, I'm the only Lefty in my family Since you've entered the esports industry, what has been the biggest industry change or trend that you've seen? Have you felt the impact of this change?: The Biggest change is that other major companies and industries are now looking into Esports. What is your favorite esports title, genre, and/or esports passion?: Genre Fighting Games, passion coaching & teaching. We are all about making a real connection - not talk about just business - what's the most FUN or craziest thing that happened to you this past year?: I entered Combo Breaker 2022 and placed top 3, top 8, and top 8 in three I've never played or competed in Tell us about a situation that you can look back on and say that it defined, or really influenced you as you are now or doing what you are doing now? A “fork in the road” moment?: Becoming the Head Esports Coach of Kishwaukee College Has there been a moment in your life or career when you realized that you have reached a certain level of satisfaction with your position or status? If you became an influencer in your space has this happened?: Satisfaction brings content, I never want to be content, that means I'll stop growing and striving to accomplish new things. What lies ahead for you? What is your biggest goal for the year ahead?: Acquiring more schools for my programs and to attend at least 2 more schools this year while hiring more employees. What is your parting advice for the industry?: In order to survive we have to work together we cannot be in competition with one another. We all have to bring value to one another while simultaneously staying in your lane.

When it comes to getting kids involved in team sports, it shouldn't stop at gaming. Teacher Chris Aviles saw an opportunity to use kids' love of gaming to create a team atmosphere and developed the first middle school esports team through Garden State Esports. He now helps kids from all over through school teams and events, helping them cultivate their love for gaming in a team atmosphere. Garden State Esports He joins Megan Van Patten on this episode of Esports Connected to talk about his journey to creating and building this organization, and what he sees for its future. Garden States Esports is a nonprofit founded by educators, Garden and is the organizing body of scholastic esports for New Jersey. Their mission is to create high-quality, student-centered experiences through scholastic esports so ALL students can use esports as a platform to grow socially, emotionally, and academically. Chris talks about how the pandemic provided him opportunities to expand the team, the obstacles they continue to overcome to bring this brand to the masses, and how sponsorships have helped him offer this service to kids for free. He also talks about what's next for this amazing organization. To find out more, visit: gsesports.org or email Chris at: chris@gsesports.org

Having an idea is only the first step in a very long journey to make a company successful. However, there are many nights of hard work and many different paths that can be taken to find the right partners and funding to grow a company. In this episode of Esports Connected, Megan is joined by Mark Besharaty, CEO and President of Gamelevate. Gamelevate is on a mission to become the premiere hub for esports information and content by sharing inclusive and diverse thoughts about the world of esports and gaming. Mark shares his journey from bootstrapping at the beginning of his company to seeking investors. After hitting some obstacles when approaching standard investors, Mark decided to explore the crowdfunding route. He talks about the process of working with Start Engine, and the lessons he has learned along the way.  If you're interested in learning more about Gamelevate, visit: https://gamelevate.com/ If you'd like to learn more or even participate in Gamelevate's funding campaign, visit: StartEngine.com/GamElevate Resources mentioned: Rohan Bose at https://www.teknosassociates.com/

Although it seems very obvious that there's a correlation between eye health and gaming, it hasn't been at the forefront of research and solutions. Dr. Amy Czyz and her husband, Dr. Tom Czyz, Optometrists by Day, discovered an opportunity after they weren't making their own health a priority during the pandemic. This was when they got the idea for SLY, the first of-its-kind, drink made specifically for gamers. Plus it's made with the ingredients you need for better sleep and better recovery, which all leads to better eye health. Dr. Amy joins Megan on this episode of Esports Connected to talk about her journey from seeing over 80,000 patients to discovering a need in the gaming space. And she talks about why she was so passionate about creating this product herself. She also discusses how the Esports Trade Association has been crucial for her in helping build partnerships and create collaborations. If you're interested in connecting with Dr. Amy, you can email her at: dramy@intentbrands.com. To find out more about the products, visit: DrinkOnTheSly.com

Many times we don't think about needing a lawyer or legal advice until it's too late. However, this is the absolute worst time to start engaging a team who can help you with your due diligence and setting up things the right way. This is more important than ever in the gaming industry, and in this episode of Esports Connected, Megan is joined by Darius Gambin and Leah Leyendecker from Saul Ewing Arnstein and Lehr. They are lawyers and also the hosts of the Lawyers with Game Podcast.  They talk about how they got involved in the world of gaming, and it's so important to have representation if you're a veteran or just getting in. They also talk about their podcast, and how it's been such an incredible journey for them. What started as a COVID project, has now turned into an incredible networking tool for them and something they have a lot of fun doing. If you're interested in learning more about the legal world of esports, trademarks, patents, copyrights, video games, and more, then visit their podcast: https://www.saul.com/lawyers-game.

There is no doubt talent plays a significant role in any success story; however, talent only is not enough. The right mindset, proper guidance, and putting in the work are also necessary. Coming from a family of athletes and entrepreneurs, Caleb Smith is the perfect example of that.  Caleb Smith is the founder and CEO of CVS Entertainment and a franchise owner of Contender eSports in Cary, NC. CVS Entertainment provides premium encounters to improve the esports community, mainly in the Triangle area of North Carolina. Caleb is also the founder and owner of the clothing brand Griarté. Son and grandson of athletes, Caleb decided to play soccer overseas. He played two years for the German team FC Herta Rheidt 1916 e.V before deciding to start his entrepreneurial journey.  In this episode, we talked about Caleb's latest entrepreneurial endeavor, the Lan Center that provides a space to play, workshops, and coaching sessions. Caleb kindly shared his journey into entrepreneurship and gave us a bit of background from his entrepreneurial family. We also talked about the importance of coaching in the esports community.  You can connect with Caleb on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caleb-s-b8556b103/ CVS Entertainment Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/cvsentertainment/ Contender eSports Cary website: https://www.contendercary.com/ The Esports Connected Podcast was created by the Esports Trade Association. To find out more, visit: https://esportsta.org/ This podcast is also part of the Esports Futuri Podcast Network. To find out more about this podcast, and all of our other shows, visit: EsportsFPN.com

It may not be something we think about (or want to think about every day), but insurance is part of our daily lives, and getting the right one for your business and life can save you a lot of headaches when you actually need it. That's exactly what Chris Johnson, from the Johnsonese Brokerage LLC is here to discuss. In this episode of Esports Connected, Chris talks to Megan Van Patten about the importance of insurance in the industry. They discuss how insurance can protect your business and explains how even virtually, events can suffer big losses if not properly covered. From guests being unable to participate to natural disasters, Chris shares it all. To learn more about Chris' business, visit: https://www.johnsonese.com/

In 2021 we're seeing the re-emergence of live events, and no one is more excited about this then today's guest, Rebecca de Freitas. Rebecca produces Mega Events and is the Director, of Customer Engagement at Hargrove. In this episode of Esports Connected, Rebecca talks about her role in putting on live events, and why all industries need to be watching and paying close attention to what esports is doing within events. She also talks about how companies can stand out, even when working on hybrid and live events, and how we really need to pay attention to the expectations of Gen Z and what's happening within the world of events. To find out more about Rebecca and her company visit. https://www.hargroveinc.com/ Esports Connected is part of the Esports Trade Association and you can learn more by visiting: https://esportsta.org/

The gaming and esports industry is about connection, inclusion, and growth, but what happens when people interested in participating can't do it because they lack the resources to do it. That is why organizations like Varsity Esports Foundation exist; to ensure connectivity for low-income families and schools. In this episode of Esports Connected, Megan is joined by Bubba Gaeddert, Executive Director of Varsity Esports Foundation. He has over 20 years of experience in non-profit and development. Being a child raised in the urban core of Oklahoma, where funding and STEM weren't available, he is aware of the importance of creating pipelines to esports and gaming for students from the urban core and low-income areas. In this episode, they talked about the foundation's mission and vision, interns, and the gaming industry's future. Bubba explained how the Varsity Esports Foundation acts as connective tissue between the industry and people from less fortunate areas. We talked about the challenges of organizing esports events and people jumping into the industry just to make money. You can connect with Bubba on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bubbagaeddert/ Or find him on Twitter: https://twitter.com/bubbagaeddert You can also visit Varsity Esports Foundation's website: https://www.varsityesportsfoundation.org/ The Esports Connected Podcast was created by the Esports Trade Association. To find out more, visit: https://esportsta.org/ This podcast is also part of the Esports Futuri Podcast Network. To find out more about this podcast, and all of our other shows, visit: EsportsFPN.com

The 20% growth of the gaming industry during the pandemic turn it into a talent constraint market. Betting dollars, hours of content consumption, people buying the consoles, and the entertainment industry, in general, is heading into esports and gaming. Because of all that, companies turn into recruitment agencies and ask for help; they need to recruit double of what they initially thought they would. That is one of the many challenges recruiters face and some of the things we will discuss with Kim Shatzer today. Kim Shatzer is the Managing Director at Onward Play and Women In Games Ambassador. Kim is also a Board Member of Feeding the Orphans and Marketing and Communications Committee Member at the Esports Trade Association. We discussed the challenges recruitment teams face in the growing gaming and esports industry from the candidates' and corporations' perspectives. Kim shared her story of how she was converted into the gaming world and fell in love with the industry. We also talked about diversity, inclusion, and the details companies should observe before getting into the gaming and esports industry. Visit Onward Play website: https://www.onwardplay.com/ Or Connect with Kim on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanchic/ Esports Connected is part of the Esports Trade Association. To learn more, visit: ESTA.org Esports Connected is also part of the Map Esports Podcast Network. To learn more about this show and all of our other shows, visit: EsportsFPN.com

Being authentic and bringing positive energy, and of course, his natural talent for marketing, helped our guest, Jeff Donnelley, build a flawless and outstanding career as an independent contractor working with online gaming companies. After 15 years of experience in the gaming market, the moment he learned about esports, he knew it was the industry's next natural wave. Jeff hasn't stopped doing great things since then, and today is sharing all that with us. Jeff Donnelley is the CEO of MEGAFANS, a mobile esports platform that combines mobile games with competitive tournaments for prizes. Jeff, considered by many people a marketing guru, has vast experience working with gaming companies like Ubisoft, World of Tanks, and Jam City, to name a few. In this episode, we explore bits of Jeff's extensive career; we go through some of his career highlights, the lessons learned from mistakes, and the things that came up better than expected. We also talk about the affinity between mobile gaming and NFTs, the possibilities and the potential of that communion, and the promising future of mobile gaming and esports. Resources: Visit MEGAFANS website: https://www.megafans.com/ Follow them on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MegafansEsports Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megafansesports/ Or visit their YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOlBIJWTEC_X6RTY4idFmTQ Connect with Jeff on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-donnelley-95a602191/

There is a difference between professional organizations and gaming communities; professional teams focus only on professional players and neglect community building. However, it is possible to create a community, have a professional structure, and be competitive at the same time, and Team 7AM is the living proof of that. John Smith-Howell, Director of Team 7AM, created a professional esports team grounded on community values, offering its players the opportunity to compete at the highest level and be part of a supportive environment ideal for developing new talents. He shares his vision of what kind of support esports teams should provide for their players beyond financial support and how gamers could benefit from it. We talked about how he overcame leaving school at an early age and found fulfillment in professional gaming. We also talked about how gaming is a great tool to connect kids from all over the world. You can connect with John on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnsmith-howell/ or on Twitter: https://twitter.com/7am_WundA Visit Team 7AM's website: https://team7am.com/ The Esports Connected Podcast was created by the Esports Trade Association. To find out more, visit: https://esportsta.org/ This podcast is also part of the Esports Futuri Podcast Network. To find out more about this podcast, and all of our other shows, visit: EsportsFPN.com

Today, we have the pleasure of chatting with Bruce Stein, Managing Director at Westbridge Consulting, LLC. Bruce is an experienced CEO and multi-preneur. He has vast experience as president, CEO, and Board Member of several toys, video game, technology and entertainment companies. He co-founded and directed aXiomatic, an esports and video gaming enterprise. In this episode, Bruce shares his thoughts on the need for a connection in the gaming industry, the misunderstanding about esports, and why esports and gaming companies should learn how to take advantage of the demographic and technology tailwind they have. Connect with Bruce on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brucelstein/.

There was a time when robots serving you drinks and food only seemed to only be real in a cartoon like the Jetsons. However, if you were at the EsportsNext Conference last September, you would have had drinks being served to you by CLOi. CLOi is LG's robot technology, and she's not just about serving drinks. In fact, she does so much more, including disinfecting public places by utilizing UV lights. Dan Leunig, Senior National Sales Manager, joins Megan for this live episode at EsportsNext to talk about innovation at LG Technologies, and why he's so excited about what is on the horizon for CLOi in addition to their other products. They discuss how CLOi works, and why this new technology will be a difference-maker in a post-pandemic world, and how they were able to bring such an incredible experience to EsportsNext.  To learn more about LG and CLOi, visit: https://www.lg.com/us/business/commercial-displays/discover-cloi-uv-c-robot

In this episode, we're back at last year's EsportsNext Conference, as Megan welcomes Chyron's Vice President of Marketing, Carol Bettencourt.  Chyron was one of the production sponsors at EsportsNext, and the ladies discuss how Chyron helped take the delivery and graphics at the conference to a whole new level. They also talk about events, and how it can be amazing when different teams come together for one main purpose. Plus, how hard that can be at times. They also talk about what sets Chyron apart, and why Chyron is so excited to be working more in the world of esports.  To learn more about Chyron, visit: https://chyron.com/ This year's EsportsNext Conference is set for August 22nd and 23rd. Learn more and grab your tickets before they're gone! https://esportsta.org/esportsnext-2022/

Joining us today to talk about education, esports, and gaming is Nick Turner, Consultant and Lecturer of Esports at Queen Mary's College in Basingstoke, UK. In this episode, co-hosted by Brandon Brunhammer, our conversation revolves around the benefits of adding esports to formal education curriculums, staying grounded, and keeping things real as members of the esports and gaming industry and how to base the industry's growth on connection. We also talk about Nick's journey in the industry, what motivates him to keep creating and working tirelessly for the industry's growth, and the exact moment when Nick spotted the gap between esports and education and decided to fill it.  Resources: Visit Queen's Mary College website: https://www.qmc.ac.uk/. or connect with Nick on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nik-turner/?originalSubdomain=uk

When you see a need, you don't have to wait for others to fill that need. That's exactly what Brian Exner of PwR Up GG did when he wanted a way to highlight so many amazing gaming and esports businesses in the midwest. Instead of waiting for someone to create the event he wanted, he stepped in and created it himself. Brian sits down with Megan and Brandon Bruhammer to talk about why it was so important for him to bring the event to life, and how he was able to harness the power of his community to bring it all to life. Plus he talks about what we can expect for 2023.

In today's episode, Megan and Brandon take a moment to appreciate their wonderful experiences so far at the Power event in South Bend, Indiana.    They talk about the importance of connection, the multiple benefits companies experienced during the conference, and the possibilities these kinds of events open for the industry's future.

If there's one ongoing theme you see through esports and gaming, it's the excitement over how many jobs and opportunities are created for those who have a love of gaming.  Calvin Hill and business partner, Kevin Fair met through the gaming community, and when they saw a need for more organized tournaments, more accountability for equipment, and help with setup, I Play Games! was formed. I Play Games! was formed. I Play Games provides turnkey solutions to gaming activation rentals, tournaments, esports and education.  In this episode of Esports Connected, onsite at the PWR Southbend Conference, Megan is joined by co-host Brandon Brunhammer and Calvin Hill to talk about I Play Games! They discuss how it was started, why Calvin is so passionate about helping communities, and what he sees for the future of I Play Games!

In today's episode, co-hosted by Brandon Brunhammer, we meet Monica Miller, Collegiate Esports Program Development Consultant at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design, storyteller, gaming enthusiast, and health & wellness advocate.  Throughout our conversation, directly from the Power event in South Bend, Monica shared her journey into gaming and esports and how she got involved in the creative aspect of what esports should look like from a consultant perspective. We also talked about the minimum budget required to build a basic gaming station for an esports team and how hard it is to be a translator between gamers and non-gamers.  Resources: Visit the Pennsylvania College of Art and Design's website: https://pcad.edu/. Or connect with Monica on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monica-318/.

Joining us today at the Power event in South Bend is the ESTA Elevator Pitch winner Matt Jackson, founder, and CEO of the Ultimate Gaming Championship (UGC). Throughout our conversation, Matt reveals the details of how he went from organizing LAN parties in the basement of his parent's house to founding one of the most successful companies in the industry. We also talk about what the future holds for UGC, the importance of generating value in the industry, and why esports companies need to ensure their investors have easy access to the ROI their investments produce.  Resources: Visit UGC's website: https://www.ugcesports.gg/ or connect with Matt on social media: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-jackson-14145627/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ugcmatt/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/ugcmatt?lang=es

Fitness and overall wellness are not strangers anymore in the gaming community. Competitive and recreational gamers, streamers, and pretty much every person in the industry spending long hours in front of a monitor understands the importance of staying physically, emotionally, and mentally fit to enhance their experiences and give their 100%.  Today, we had an educational conversation with Kristen Anderson, Mike Anderson, and Landon Gorbenko from FitGMR. Kristen, the co-founder and CEO of FitGMR, is an experienced financial professional who spent over ten years at JPMorgan and then joined Evercore Partners. She has over 700 hours of yoga training and is a CrossFit Level 1 Certified Trainer.  Mike is the co-founder and President of FitGMR. He is in charge of the Physical Maintenance Department and holds a Master's Degree in Public Health & Experiential Education and a B.S. in Sports Medicine.  Landon, the Head of Mental Performance, is FITGMR's Mental Performance director and trainer. He is a lifelong gamer who experienced the benefits of balancing mental, physical, and emotional health and is passionate about expertise development. He holds a B.Sc. in Psychology and an M.Sc. in Performance Psychology. In this episode, we delve into the central role of community in the mental, physical, and emotional health space. We discuss how relying on someone makes it easier to keep ourselves accountable for our physical health and the incredible benefits of measuring progress with percentages to encourage and motivate ourselves.  Resources: Visit the FitGMR website: https://fitgmr.gg/. Or follow them on social media: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fitgmr/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fitgmr/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChj7VERZ2-WSQisVpkpmvSA Twitter: https://twitter.com/fitgmr

In this episode, directly from the Bendix Arena in South Bend's Century Center, we chat with Brandon Brunhammer, Business Development Director in Research and Learning at AVI-SPL (XTG). Brandon is also Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors of the Esports Trade Association and the VR AR Association. We talked about the different ways brands and institutions can help and support the gaming and esports community, the solutions AVI SPL brings to the industry, and the whole spectrum of careers and opportunities for young people in gaming and esports.  Resources: Visit the AVI SPL website: https://avispl.com/ Check out the Bendix Arena website: https://bendixarena.com/ or connect with Brandon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandon-brunhammer-ab67299b/

Let's think of every pixel on a screen as an independent source of information. We will look at the fidelity between an author's creation and the final product displayed with different eyes. Today, we have another set of fantastic guests, Mike Ellsworth and Jason Tirado. Mike is a Senior Sales Engineer at Lightware Visual Engineering, North America, and Jason has been Lightware's President since 2017. We had a conversation about Lightware's origins, its core values based on democratizing information, and its drive to constantly push the barriers of technology's limits, creating and developing new ways of portraying audio and video. They share their experiences and creations in the audiovisual space, comment on Lightware's recent decision to become part of the Esports Trade Association and give their thoughts on where they see the gaming industry heading based on the innovations in the AV. Resources: Visit the Lightware website: https://lightware.com/ Follow Lightware on social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lightwarehq/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LightwareVisualEngineering/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/LightwareLtd Twitter: https://twitter.com/lightwarehq Connect with Jason on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasontirado/ Connect with Mike on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-ellsworth-31851361/

In today's episode, we dive deep into the marketing world with our two guests, Kevin Pustizzi and Ryan Harbinson. We explore their journey into the marketing and branding space, why storytelling is so crucial in modern marketing, and how to separate our company from the rest through our campaigns.  Kevin and Ryan shared their thoughts on how quickly trends change in the online space, how companies should prepare themselves to keep up with their swiftness, why brands must understand how short people's attention span is nowadays when creating content, and more. Kevin Pustizzi is the President of Clearbridge Branding Agency; he leads a talented team of marketing professionals. Behind his calm and centered exterior image hides an insightful and solutions-oriented marketing professional, convinced that marketing is about connecting the right people with the right message at the right time.   Ryan Harbinson is the Director of Business Development at Clearbridge Branding Agency. He has over 15 years in the marketing space, with graphic design and management skills, and is a true "Jack of All Trades" player. Ryan is a loving husband, a connector, a go-giver, and a "shaking hands and building brands" professional. Resources: Visit the Clearbridge Branding Agency's website: https://clearbridgebranding.com/. or connect with Kevin and Ryan on social media: Kevin's LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinpustizzi/ Ryan's LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wheresharb/

Joining us today at the Esports Next Conference is one of the most brilliant minds in the gaming and esports space, Scott Greenberg. Scott is a real estate visionary and a serial tech entrepreneur and investor. He is the creator of ROOF and theWit, President of the ECD Company, GO EB5 RC Regional Center, and SMASHotels, and the co-founder of Smash Interactive and Smash Virtual.  He revolutionized the lifestyle hotel segment with theWit Hotel, earning Hilton's "Developer of the Year" award for this signature development, and the Marriot Corporation's 2017 Autograph Hotel with his Hotel EMC2. In this episode, Scott talks about one of his latest endeavours, SURGE, a venue created to host thousands of people to live music and esports events. We delve into the merge of the digital and live reality, Scott's academic projects, and his decision of staying and develop Chicago despite the many offers he got from several other parts of the country. Resources: Visit Smash Interactive website: https://smashinteractiveagency.com/about/ or connect with Scott on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-greenberg-aba03b11/

Today, we are blessed with April Welch's presence at the Esports Next Conference to talk about the launch of the Bronzeville Esports League and the first Level-Up award received from the Esports Trade Association.   April is the Associate Vice President and Strategic Initiatives and Director at the Esports and Digital Arts Center at Illinois Tech.   We are also joined by Bubba Gaeddert, Executive Director of the Varsity Esports Foundation and Founder and Creator of the Level-Up Fund. In this episode, Bubba shares the details of Level-Up Fund's birth and why he decided to start it. April describes her experiences in her 15+ years career in education, her mission, and her vision. We also dive into April's future projects at Illinois Tech, the process behind creating the Bronzeville Esports League, and the opportunities it will bring to the students.  Resources: Visit Illinois Tech's website: https://www.iit.edu/ or connect with April on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aprilwelchchicago

In another edition of the podcast from the Esports Next Conference, we are delighted to welcome Roger Payne to the show.  Roger is the Key Account Director at YouGov, an international data and analytics group. YouGov's data-led support helps media owners, brands, and media agencies improve their marketing activities. YouGov is the most quoted data research source in the UK, and according to a Pew Research Center study, YouGov outperforms competitors on accuracy as a vendor of choice.  In this episode, we talk about the hard times we faced at the conference when we started, right before the pandemic hit. Roger kindly shared details of the services YouGov offers, and he highlighted the importance of providing the industry with unbiased, reliable, and valuable sources of information.  Resources: Visit YouGov's website: https://corporate.yougov.com/ or connect with Roger on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roger-payne-0198ba4/  

Today, in another episode from the Esports Next Conference, Bubba had the pleasure of interviewing Joanie Kraut, CEO at Women In Games International (WIGI). Joanie has over 15 years in the gaming space, serving several smaller studios, startups, and nonprofits as a consultant in the process. She is an expert in business development, financial strategy, operational process development and execution, and DEI efforts. She is also an advocate for equality; she received the 2019 CalCPA Women to Watch in Finance & Accounting, Experienced Leader Award for her significant contributions to the profession and her community.  In this episode, we delve into the evolution of the gaming community regarding equality and the inclusion of relegated minorities. Joanie also talks about her work at WIGI and how the organization serves and helps improve the gaming community and society as a whole. In addition, Joanie talks about her sensations from participating in the Conference and the major takeaways she took from the experience.  Resources: Visit WIGI website: https://www.getwigi.com/   or connect with Joanie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanna-joanie-kraut/

For most gamers, streamers, and casters, things can change overnight. Good results in an international tournament could change a gamer's life by getting them millions of visits to their social media channels, and in case something like that happens, there are certain things they need to have in place. For instance, gamers should check if the name they are building is already taken.  Our guest, Justin Jacobson, is the go-to person to take care of those and other hundreds of details gamers should take care of before it is too late and they find roadblocks in their career paths.  Justin Jacobson is an Entertainment and Esports Attorney, Professor, host of the Esports Biz Show podcast, and Author of "The Essential Guide to the Business & Law of Esports & Professional Video Gaming." Justin has over a decade of experience working with celebrities, athletes, musicians, producers, songwriters, DJs, professional gamers, streamers, content creators, and coaches. He secured agreements with giants of the entertainment industry like Viacom, Netflix, and Universal Music, to name some of them.  In this episode, we delve into some details most gamers tend to leave aside or pay attention when it's too late. We talk about how legal restrictions, contracts, and agreements get even more complicated in the gaming industry, where many rising stars or established creators are underage kids streaming from their houses. We also talk about why gamers, streamers, and casters should pay attention to the PR, the legal and the financial aspects of their careers, Justin's understanding of the entertainment world, and more.  Resources: Visit The Jacobson Firm website: https://thejacobsonfirmpc.com/ Listen to The Esports Biz Show podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/preediction/id1475204179 Follow Justin on Twitter: https://twitter.com/justinjesq or Connect with him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinmjacobson/details/experience/

In today's episode from the Esports Next Conference, we chat with the Esports Trade Association's Head of Marketing, Leslie Fitzsimmons.  Leslie has over 30 years of media experience in sales, revenue management, marketing, and executive leadership. She is passionate about bridging mainstream audiences and hardcore esports fans and gamers and working with startups willing to impact the industry's ecosystem positively. Leslie connected with esports while teaching Integrated Marketing and Communications at the University of Nevada Las Vegas in 2018.  We delve into Leslie's passion for consulting and using her knowledge and experience in marketing to help the industry grow and thrive. We talk about Leslie's experiences at the Esports Next Conference, what she learned about the gaming industry so far, its potential, the Esports Trade Association's grand vision, and more.  Resources: Leslie's profile on ESTA website: https://members.esportsta.org/buyersguide/Details/leslie-fitzsimmons-1478582 Send Leslie an email and get in touch with her: https://members.esportsta.org/buyersguide/Details/leslie-fitzsimmons-1478582

We are thrilled to chat with April Welch and John Davidson at the Esports Next Conference in today's episode.  April is the Associate Vice President of Strategic Initiatives and Director of the Esports and Digital Arts Center at Illinois Tech. John is the Founder & CEO of the Davidson Learning Company, Host of the DLC Drop Podcast, and Chair of the Esports Trade Association.  We had a fantastic conversation about the Esports Trade Association's purpose, the pros and cons of gaming, and the importance of parents' education around the benefits of gaming and esports. We also talk about the Esports Trade Association's role in bridging two groups of people who need each other but can't communicate clearly for generational reasons, how to differentiate productive from unproductive screen time, and much more.    Resources: Visit Illinois Tech's website: https://www.iit.edu/ or connect with April on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aprilwelchchicago Visit the Davidson Learning Company website: https://www.dlcyouth.com/ or connect with John on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-davidson-42953846/

Even though she was born and raised in America, our guest, Hiba Anver, found out early in her life that looking different from the rest of the kids was enough to be treated differently and have a particular set of rules applied to her. Daughter of Pakistani immigrants, Hiba grew up with the feeling of having one foot in each world and a different perspective on how minorities were treated.  Being so empathetic since she was a child would define who she would become and her career.  Hiba Anver is a Shareholder at Erickson Immigration Group, GWU Law Adjunct Faculty, Co-Founder of Immigration Nerds Podcast, and was recently named Business Insider's top immigration attorneys for start-ups. Hiba is also an experienced Law lecturer and a passionate anti-bullying advocate.  In this episode, we delve into Hiba's journey of becoming an attorney, specializing in immigration law, and eventually connecting with esports. We discuss Hiba's perspective on how immigrants and other minorities are treated and their job and career opportunities. We talk about the impact Covid had on the industry, how it affected and changed some rules, and how companies and stakeholders navigate international travel restrictions to organize events and tournaments.  Resources: Visit the Erickson Immigration Group website: https://eiglaw.com/ Follow Hiba on Twitter: https://twitter.com/hibza or Connect with her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hiba-anver-696334a/

Following up with some of the best encounters at the Esports Next Conference, we are thrilled to bring Jacob Kaplan to the show. Jacob has over a decade of experience with Digital Arts and Design and Media Communications programs, helping develop valuable industry members. He is the Creative Project Strategist at the Full Sail University, where he leads and supports most of the University's creative initiatives.  In this episode, we delve into Jacob's job at Full Sail, what exciting projects they're putting together for the following years and the career opportunities at the University. We also talk about the Full Sail Fortress, the largest collegiate esports arena on a college campus, its production capabilities, the roles students have access to, and the variety of experience for future jobs they can get there.  Resources: Visit the Full Sail University website: https://www.fullsail.edu/ or connect with Jacob on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-kaplan-37260914/

The Esports Trade Association's mission, in a nutshell, is to provide resources to make the gaming industry better. Today, the Association has eight committees working to provide the best resources available, helping both endemic and non-endemic companies join, contribute, and grow themselves while they help develop the industry.  Today, the great MVP, Megan Van Petten, joins us to talk about the Esports Trade Association, its origins, their day-to-day job, and how they contribute to the industry and the community. Megan also talked about why endemic and non-endemic companies should join the Esports Trade Association and how they can benefit from it, help develop the industry, and contribute to the community. Together, we go over some of the Esports Next Conference highlights and what we can expect at the event in the following days.   Resources: Visit the Esports Trade Association Website: https://esportsta.org/ Connect with Megan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meganvanpetten/

The best way to understand what an esports athlete needs to perform at their maximum is by treating them like traditional athletes. Our guest, Josh Otero, believes they must pay attention to their resting time, eating habits, hydration, and avoid grinding all day. Keeping up with our series of interviews at the Esports Next Conference, we chat with Josh Otero, Co-Founder and CEO of NutriGMR and Founder and Chairman of Warrior GMR Foundation.  We had a fantastic conversation about gamers' and esports athletes' proper nutrition and the dangers and negative impact of sugary drinks. Josh shared all about the first-ever Military esports tournament, best practices to prevent and eliminate bullying and cyber-bullying from esports and gaming, and much more.  Resources: Visit the NutriGMR website: https://nutrigmr.com/ Also, take a look at the Warrior GMR Foundation website: https://warriorgmrfoundation.org/ or connect with Josh on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshotero/ or follow Josh on Twitter: https://twitter.com/oterofit

The gaming industry has some significant issues yet to be solved, and the quickest, more effective way to solve them is through unity. The industry needs to develop a message, design a strategy, and execute it as a unit.  To talk to us about it is Anthony Gaud, Emmy-Award winning entrepreneur and media executive, Member of the Board of Directors of the Esports Trade Association, and CEO of G3 Esports.  During his over 25 years' career, Anthony signed partnerships with The Walt Disney Company, Comcast, Microsoft Games, Viacom, Hasbro, and Nexon South Korea. He founded Conference One, the nation's first varsity-level collegiate esports league, is an expert in business development and is the Founder and Chair of the American Heart Association Youth and Gaming Task Force, subsequently formalized as Revive.  Our conversation delves into the present and future of America's gaming and esports industry and how advanced it is compared with other countries in the world, especially South Korea, where Anthony spent considerable time working. We also talked about Anthony's journey in the industry, his experiences in South Korea, the Esports Trade Association's vision and mission, the lack of kids' engagement in traditional sports and its effects, and much more. Resources: Visit G3 Esports website: https://www.g3esports.gg/ or connect with Anthony on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonygaud/

One more day at the Esports Next Conference; today, we have a legend of esports joining us, Christopher Turner. Chris is a Consultant at Generation Esports, Director of the Mavs Academy Gaming Camps from the Dallas Mavericks, and Coordinator of Mixed Reality Virtual Innovation Gaming and Esports Institute at Southern University Law Center.  In this episode, Chris talks about his work as a student's coach and the different programs he directs at the Dallas Mavericks. We also talk about the devastation after Hurricane Ida hit Louisiana and New Orleans; we share information about the best way to help and the places people can go to help alleviate the pain of those in need after the calamities caused by the hurricanes.  Resources: You can learn how to help here: https://www.varsityesportsfoundation.org/gamersrespond or check out this hashtag: #GamersRespond4Ida You can also follow Christopher on Twitter: https://twitter.com/geauxplayes

Welcome back! We are still at the Esports Next Conference, and today, our MVP, Megan Van Petten and Bubba Gaeddert, have a conversation about how the event is going so far.  Their conversation revolves around the networking opportunities of events like this and why it is essential to know that it is not a "one-and-done"; encounters and conversations should aim for long-lasting business relationships. They also talk about the fantastic panels they've attended so far and much more.  Visit the Esports Trade Association website: https://esportsta.org/