Podcasts about esports trade association

ESTA Offers Education, Mentorship and Tools. The host for this show is Katharine Nohr. The guests are Megan Van Petten and Lindsay Poss. We discuss how Esports Trade Association empowers, educates and mentors leaders in the esports and gaming industry. The ThinkTech YouTube Playlist for this show is https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQpkwcNJny6nlmJ4UgUkvYa2n7M4MRTZc Please visit our ThinkTech website at https://thinktechhawaii.com and see our Think Tech Advisories at https://thinktechadvisories.blogspot.com.

I speak with John Davidson, the Founder & CEO of DLC, Host of The DLC Drop Podcast, and the Esports Trade Association Chairman. John started his career early as a professional skateboarder navigating the sponsorship space at a young age. We discuss his career journey, the path into esports, and the lessons he has learned that have ultimately shaped him as an entrepreneur. John Davidson: Twitter: @J0hnDavids0n DLC Drop: Instagram: @DLCdrop Additional Links: https://linktr.ee/dlcdrop

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

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

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

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

The Esports Biz Show: Esports attorney Justin M. Jacobson Esq. interviews the Founder of Esports Trade Association, Megan Van Petten on her past work experience as well as founding the Esports Trade Association. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As more and more businesses try to find ways to get involved in the world of esports and gaming, it's crucial they have a place that can help guide them in the right direction and help them make the connections they need.  That's exactly what the Esports Trade Association does by helping those within the industry or looking to get involved, find a way, learn more, and connect with the individuals who can help them. Megan Van Petten, Founder of the Esports Trade Association, joins Rebecca on this episode of the Future of Marketing in Esports to talk about the ESTA, and the role it's had within this booming industry.  They also talk about going back to live events, and what they're hoping the future of esports will look like. To learn more about the trade association, visit: https://esta.org

As more and more businesses try to find ways to get involved in the world of esports and gaming, it's crucial they have a place that can help guide them in the right direction and help them make the connections they need.  That's exactly what the Esports Trade Association does by helping those within the industry or looking to get involved, find a way, learn more, and connect with the individuals who can help them. Megan Van Petten, Founder of the Esports Trade Association, joins Rebecca on this episode of the Future of Marketing in Esports to talk about the ESTA, and the role it's had within this booming industry.  They also talk about going back to live events, and what they're hoping the future of esports will look like. To learn more about the trade association, visit: https://esta.org

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/

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 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/

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 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/

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/

Esports Trade Association's Esports Next (https://esportsta.org/esportsnext-2021-fall) is right around the corner, and one of the events everyone is most excited about is the Elevator Pitch Competition. This is your opportunity to get your business in front of a panel of advisors and investors with a chance at winning some funding. But how do you valuate an esports company? Well, that's exactly what Rohan Bose is here to help with. In this episode Rohan answers a lot of great questions about valuations within the esports industry, and what companies need to know! Are business valuations different for the esports industry than other industries? And what's important for founders to understand when seeking investors and understanding what their business is worth? These are just some of the questions that Rohan Bose discusses with Megan in this episode of Esports Connected. Rohan is an Associate at Teknos Associates, focused on helping those in the world of esports understand how to fairly evaluate their company. Rohan talks about his history in the world of esports, and what he's excited most about as the world starts to open back up.  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 MAP Esports Podcast Network. To find out more about this podcast, and all of our other shows, visit: EsportsFPN.com

A podcast for an association is the perfect no-brainer, and one that Megan Van Petten swears by when it comes to the Esports Trade Association that she runs.Megan joins me in this episode of Branded Podcast Secrets to discuss why you need to press record, why this is one of the best things she's done for her association (and why she'll never run another association again without a podcast), and other creative ways she using the podcast as a value add and repurposing her content for more uses beyond just an episode.To learn more about the Esports Trade Association, visit: https://esportsta.org/If you're interested in starting your own branded podcast, feel free to set up a 1:1 Consultation with me here: https://calendly.com/erin-gregor/podcasting_consult_30

We go deep into esports & learn what makes a successful brand partnership in competitive gaming tick. John Davidson is an esports expert that's helping shape the future of the industry. Founder of DLC youth, host of the DLC Drop podcast, Chairman of the Esports Trade Association & advisor to many in the industry. John has the "cool dad" energy that allows him to bridge the gap between the high octane culture of esport fandom & the grown-up world of brands and businesses that need to learn how to connect. We learn why brands should be taking notice and what tools from traditional sports marketing they should bring with them and what they should leave behind. John helps us see the view from global phenomena to local engagement and gives some great advice on how and where a brand fits within the ecosystem. One of my favorite chats of the year, there's something in here for everyone. Connect w/ John:DLC Youth: https://www.dlcyouth.com/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-davidson-42953846/The DLC Drop Podcast: https://esportsfpn.com/show/the-dlc-drop-podcast/The BW Businessworld article we discussed: http://www.businessworld.in/article/India-Fitting-Into-Future-Of-Entertainment/10-07-2021-396164/The Pop-Marketer:Website: https://www.pop-marketer.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/popmarketer/Twitter: https://twitter.com/joenormalLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jocox/

Being a consultant in a constantly evolving space requires being prompt, sharp, and on top of the latest technologies. For Brandon Brunhammer, having clients that are forward-thinkers or clients that already are in the tech space works as a great incentive to be up to date and aware of the latest technologies available. His job is to do the research, come back with solutions, and evaluate what they need from a tech perspective. Brandon Brunhammer is a Solution Architect at AVI-SPL. He has over 12 years of experience in the AV industry. Brandon designs and implements tech solutions to unify multiple platforms and synchronize the workflow. He has experience as an Audion Engineer and Integration Technician, and he is a member of the Esports Trade Association and the VR AR Association. In this episode, Brandon kindly shared bits of his background and the programs he is working on at AVI-SPL. We talked about what a Solutions Architect does, AVI-SPL's ideal clients, and how he manages to be on top of new technologies and tendencies. We also talked about the challenge of convincing those writing the checks of the industry's relevance and the effects of discipline and a consistent routine on our personal and professional lives. Resources: You can visit the AVI-SPL website: https://avispl.com/ You can connect with Brandon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandon-brunhammer-ab67299b/ Esports Connected is part of the Esports Trade Association. To learn more, visit: https://esportsta.org/

Almost every college in America offering esports programs face the same challenges: thousands of dollars in equipment being damaged and stored, students developing toxic behaviors, streaming and broadcasting difficulties, and they struggle to attract good students. To change this, Jeffrey Weiss decided to use his 20 years of experience building TV platforms, production workflows and esports facilities; he created EsportsCircus, a mobile venue that produces events focused on the college esports community. Jeffrey Weiss is the Founder and Ringmaster of EsportCircus. For the last 20 years, Jeffrey has been one of the leading broadcast engineers in the United States. In this episode, we had a fantastic conversation about Jeffrey's extraordinary journey into the gaming industry. We also talked about EsportsCircus' mission and vision, its origins, and Jeffrey's passion for impacting the gaming community. Jeffrey also mentioned why he decided to join the Esports Trade Association, and he explained his unique approach to engineering through the circus. You can visit the EsportsCircus website: https://esportscircus.com/ Follow them on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/esportscircus/ or watch their content on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/EsportsCircus You can connect with Jeffrey on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/esportscircus/ Esports Connected is part of the Esports Trade Association. To learn more, visit: https://esportsta.org/

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

Would you be willing to leave a job at PwC to take a leap of faith in an industry you're not even sure that's going to make it? And if you said yes, would you also do it in the middle of a recession? This is what Kevin Fair, founder of I Play Games! did when he decided to begin his company, and Kevin shares his story with the team on Esports Connected. I Play Games! helps to organize tournaments and product demos throughout the United States helping to bring together communities with a common love of gaming. In this episode Kevin shares why he finally decided to take that leap of faith, what led him to work with high profile athletes like Richard Sherman, and celebs like Darryl McDaniels from Run DMC, plus so much more. To learn more about I Play Games!, visit: https://www.ipgnation.com/ 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

Mike Nichols is the Director of Elite Sports Minds 23, which is dedicated to helping those in the world of sports (esports and traditional) unlock their true potential, both in leadership and as athletes. In this episode of Esports Connected, Mike shares his seven pillars of helping to unlock what's holding you back and find your true potential. Mike shares some of his experiences in helping others, and why it's important that we did deep in order to be able to achieve that next level. To learn more about Mike's company, visit:  https://elitesportsminds23.org/. The Esports Connected Podcast is part of the Esports Trade Association. You can find out more at: https://esportsta.org/ This podcast is also part of the MAP Esports Podcast Network. You can find out more about this show and all of our other shows at: EsportsFPN.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, Customer Engagement at Hargrove. In this episode of Esports Connected, Rebecca talks about her role 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 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/

Although the world went (even more) virtual in the last couple of years, virtual events still struggle to match the audience engagement level of live events. However, Jacob Ramey knows several ways to keep audiences engaged and active in virtual and hybrid events. For him, events are about connection; virtual handshakes and hyper-realistic immersive experiences could be part of the solution. Jacob Ramey is the Founder and CEO of Platinum TDM, a company expert in live and virtual events technology. Jacob is also the CEO of Green Events Solutions, a Mentor at MediaTech Ventures, and a Committee Member at the Esports Trade Association. Jacob combines his theater background with technology to deliver seamless, stress-free event solutions. In this episode, we talked about original and effective ways of engaging audiences in virtual and live events through having a clear understanding of the market. Jacob spoke about what we can expect in the following years on communication tools and virtual events resources. We also talked about combining old theater and movie magic into live events and the game-changing experience of Build Your Own Adventure-type events. Visit PLatinum TDM website: https://platinumtdm.com/ or you can connect with Jacob on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ptdmjacobwpramey/ Esports Connected is part of the Esports Trade Association, to learn more visit: esportsta.org Esports Connected is also part of the Esports Futuri Podcast Network. To see all of our shows, visit, EsportsFPN.com

Sometimes, a great opportunity lies behind a text message, an email, or a tweet, but unless we send those, we will never know. Trevor Johnson might have been ignored many times or rejected by several others, but one thing is sure: every opportunity he got in the gaming industry started with a message from him to someone he didn't know. Trevor Johnson is a Student Ambassador at Leyline; he is also a Content Intern at NutriGMR and an Office of Admissions Intern at Manchester University. Trevor is in his last year of his Bachelor of Science degree in Sports Management at Manchester University. He is also a Double Major in Sports Management and Digital Media and a Minor in Public Relations. In this episode, we talked about Trevor's unique energy and passion for approaching esports management projects and how not being afraid of DMing people helped him grow and access great opportunities in gaming and esports. He kindly shared his experiences at the Pacers center and some of the hardest lessons he learned participating in projects outside of the university.  You can find Trevor on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-johnson-682124175/ Esports Connected is part of the Esports Trade Association, to learn more visit: esportsta.org Esports Connected is also part of the Esports Futuri Podcast Network. To see all of our shows, visit, EsportsFPN.com

When Dexter Carr and his former business partner wanted to go to a place that would allow them to have a couple of drinks, eat, and play some games, he was shocked to find there wasn't something available that fit his needs. And just like every truly great entrepreneur story, that's how G-Haven Esports was born. G-Haven is an esports organization that was created to help bring all gamers, of all backgrounds together.  Dexter joins Megan in this week's episode of Esports Connected to discuss why he's so passionate about bringing the industry together, how the pandemic had a huge impact on his business, and why he's leveraging his platform and business to bring awareness to the world of mental health. To learn more about G-Haven, visit: https://g-haven.square.site/ Esports Connected is created by the Esports Trade Association. To learn more visit: https://esportsta.org/ It's also part of the Esports Futuri Podcast Network, so visit EsportsFPN.com

Most entrepreneurs wear many hats (if not all) when they start their businesses and, as the company starts growing, they must begin to delegate some tasks. Dawn Hershik thinks that ideally when business owners reach that point, they should delegate what they are not good at or spend time on.  Dawn Hershik is the Managing Director at Supporting Strategies, a company that provides bookkeeping and controller services through remote and cloud-based technology. Dawn is a seasoned business, sales, and finance professional with deep expertise in small businesses' financial analysis. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Northwood University, and she also is the Director of Feed the Seed Foundation. This organization provides resources through coaching, education, co-working space, and grants to improve local economies by supporting start-up entrepreneurs. In this episode, Dawn discusses her background and how she decided to invest in the Supporting Strategies franchise. Dawn analyzed the growth of outsourcing companies during the pandemic and explained the benefits of outsourcing a company's accounting. She also talked about her company's hiring process, ideal clients, and time-tracking solutions for online workers and freelancers.  Visit Supporting Strategies website: https://www.supportingstrategies.com/ or find Dawn on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawnhershik/ 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's not hard to find a place that will help your child excel in coding in any strip mall in suburbia. However, how in-depth do those coding schools actually go when it comes to helping students truly cultivate various skill sets in technology? Do they offer verticals like esports? If the answer is no, then you'll need to check out the Techie Factory. Based out of Dallas, TX, they are focused on helping kids in all areas of technology, like animation, coding, DJ'ing, esports, and so much more!  Freddie Halstead, President and CEO of Techie Factory joins Megan Van Petten in this episode of Esports Connected to discuss what makes Techie Factory so different, and why he is so excited about this amazing opportunity to help build the next generation of gamers and esports enthusiasts. To learn more about Techie Factory, visit: https://techiefactory.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

Have you ever wondered what it is like to be a fly on the wall for conversations? Are you having a hard time in finding a podcast and don't have the time to find them? The MIC is LISTENING! Show is your place to hear me chat with fellow https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/podcasters (#podcasters) to learn about their shows and get some 411 on the stories BEHIND the stories! This week, Megan Van Petten, Host of the Esports Connected Podcast joins to chat about her mission and dedication to the Esports Trade Association to grow the #esports industry. Join Syya EVERY WED at 10:00am CST to hear some story highlights and share a few much needed laughs to carry you through the week! This is a FUN production of Innovation Media Enterprises, LLC and recorded in partnership with the https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/podcast (#podcast) studios at CityCentral. https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/wearecitycentral (#wearecitycentral) Esports Futuri Podcast Network MAP Esports Network Inc. Global Leaders Organization (GLO)

Virtuality allows us to connect beyond physical restrictions, this particularly useful during pandemic times, but it also gives relative impunity to negative behaviors like cyberbullying, mean comments, and insults. In the gaming space, this is no different; unfortunately, toxicity is quite common. A shortcut to fix this problem is addressing it, talking about it, and, as Wes Byrd suggests, presenting ourselves with integrity. Wes Byrd is the CEO and Co-Founder of Skullz, Inc. Wes is an entrepreneur, esports enthusiast, and e-commerce architect. Skullz, Inc. started as a gaming club in 1999, hosting LAN parties and building a healthy gaming community through things like their "rulez of war," which restricted foul language and toxic behavior. After more than 20 years, Skullz, Inc promotes non-toxic behavior, community, integrity, and sportsmanship while providing the highest quality gaming and esports gear. In this episode, Wes and Megan talked about toxicity in esports and gaming and the best ways to deal with it. Wes shares a bit of his background and some details of his journey into the gaming industry. They also spoke about the gaming industry during the pandemic, and Skullz, Inc's pillars, and the company's view on integrity. Plus, Skullz, Inc's products and their commitment to providing high-quality products. You can connect with Wes on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wesbyrd/ or you can visit Skullz, Inc website: https://skullz.com/ You can follow them on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skullzgear/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/skullzgear YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCr_n5U9ZfZas3Uf3DXlpazg or Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/skullzgear 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 esports and gaming industry offers a broad set of possibilities for students from almost every specialty; communicators, marketers, accountants, lawyers, psychologists, designers, software developers, and many more. That's one thing John Davidson loves most about the industry he's helping to develop and grow.  Today's guest is John Davidson, a TEDx and Keynote Speaker, Chairman of the Esports Trade Association, founder of the Davidson Learning Center, and host of The DLC Drop Podcast. John's background as a lifelong skateboarder gave him a consistent perspective of life; after falling and failing at something, he would step up and try it again.  Throughout this episode, they discuss John's experience and learnings from skateboarding and what those experiences added to his business mentality. They also spoke about affirmation and external validation, inclusion in esports, and the importance of networking. John also shared a few tips for students and brands interested in getting into the esports industry.  Connect with John on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-davidson-42953846/ or on Twitter: https://twitter.com/j0hndavids0n You can also send him an email to: John@DLCyouth.com Or visit John's website: https://www.dlcyouth.com/ Connect with Dr. Marc on Twitter: https://twitter.com/docspitsfire06 Or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/docspitsfire06/ Dr. Marc's Masterclass is part of the Esports Futuri Podcast Network. To see all of our shows, visit: https://EsportsFPN.com

The gaming and esports industry is about connection, inclusion, and growth, but what happens when people interested in participate 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.  They discuss 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 Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB), also known as Destination Marketing Organizations, usually paid by a State Grant, is a free service for visitors coming to a city. CVBs job is to assist visitors whether they are on a leisure, conventions, or business travel.  Heather Larson is Director of Sales at Meet Chicago Northwest, one of the CVBs acting in that city. She is an accomplished hospitality professional with several years of sales management experience. Meet Chicago Northwest represents over 60 hotels, including the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel, Medieval Times, Gameworks, and fantastic restaurants.  In this episode, we had a fantastic conversation about the extensive job of CVBs and how the Request for Proposal (RFP) process works. Heather explained how the hospitality industry works, how hotels are dealing with COVID, and what we can expect in the following months about practices that hotels adopted and will definitely stay even after the pandemic is over. We talked about the Restore Illinois plan and why they decided to join the Esports Trade Association.  You can connect with Heather on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-larson-cmp-a644801a/ or visit the Meet Chicago Northwest website: https://chicagonorthwest.co 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

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

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

The power of the esports community is a real thing, and gone are the days where gaming made you more excluded from the world around you. In fact, kids who are into gaming and esports are actually learning many of the tools they'll need in order to be connected to a world of the future. James O'Hagan, is passionate about bringing the world of esports and gaming to the school districts and finding ways to teach the power of this world to parents who still aren't sure they want their kids playing games all day. He shares why he's so passionate about helping all youth, how game developers can benefit by integrating input from schools, and why getting more kids to love the world of gaming can actually be a good thing. You can connect with James on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesohagan/ 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 everyday), 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/ 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

When you think of video games, you may think of a child sitting by themselves playing inside. However, what many people often don't realize is the tremendous community-building opportunities that are created because of gaming and esports. Brandon Tschacher is all about deepening that community through the MKEsports Alliance, a company he founded. Brandon is working on bringing more opportunities to not just the cities of Milwaukee and Madison, but to the State of Wisconsin. He joins Megan Van Petten in this Esports Connected to discuss his background in gaming, the opportunities he's discovered within his community, and partnering is one of the greatest tools for growth. You can find out more about the MKEsports Alliance by visiting: MKEesports.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

Are business valuations different for the esports industry than other industries? And what's important for founders to understand when seeking investors and understanding what their business is worth? These are just some of the questions that Rohan Bose discusses with Megan in this episode of Esports Connected. Rohan is an Associate at Teknos Associates, focused on helping those in the world of esports understand how to fairly evaluate their company. Rohan talks about his history in the world of esports, and what he's excited most about as the world starts to open back up.  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

A pandemic may feel like the worst thing in the world for a Visitors and Conventions Bureau, but through hardship can come opportunity. That's exactly what the Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau did amid the 2020 shutdown.  Ed Tomasi and Loren Gold talk to Megan Van Patten today on Esports Connected to talk about the impact esports has had on the City of Raleigh. They also discuss the pivot from live events to virtual, and why it ended up being a silver lining for finding opportunities for not just those visiting Raleigh, but those also living in Raleigh. To find out more about Visit Raleigh, visit: https://www.visitraleigh.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

Special guest: John Davidson, Founder and CEO of Davidson Learning Company John has had a storied career so far, working with companies like GameStop and Production Resource Group. He serves as Chairman of the Esports Trade Association and advises for Stadia Ventures, Dallas Influencers in Sports & Entertainment (DISE), The Uptown Agency, and University of North Texas Sport Entertainment Management MBA. He also recently started the Davidson Learning Company. John does a VERY CRITICAL job in the gaming ecosystem by helping outside brands engage with the community. He understands the nuances of this very diverse industry and helps brands connect with the numerous sub-cultures that exist within esports. Be sure to tune in EVERY TUESDAY (on my LinkedIn page) at 9am CST to catch my podcast and learn everything that is esports! https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannyrmartin/

Today Jeremy welcomes John Davidson of GameStop to the show! John is the President of the Esports Trade Association & head of Esports and Partnerships for GameStop. John & Jeremy talk about the unlikely career path that brought together his passion for skating & business into the world of gaming & esports. Tune in for their inspiring and insightful chat!  Please note that during the first 3-4 minutes of the interview we suffered some technical difficulties with John's audio. But it does clear up quite nicely, so hang in there! Check out all things Mediajuice at Mediajuice.com! Produced by Jeremiah Isley, Mediajuice Studios, llc.