PARIS/MIAMI – Esports BAR Miami has announced the latest draft for its 2018 conference programme with the recruitment of Major League Soccer (MLS) Business Ventures President and Managing Director, Gary Stevenson and Electronic Arts (EA) SVP and General Manager of its Competitive Gaming Division, Todd Sitrin.
Billed as a fireside chat, Todd Sitrin and Gary Stevenson’s keynote will cover the future of competitive FIFA and the partnership between MLS and EA which saw MLS announce the launch of its own esports competition, eMLS, this past year.
“The MLS entry into esports, in partnership with EA SPORTS, is yet another sign of a major US sports league connecting to esports players and spectators to promote both US-based soccer and grow competitive gaming,” comments Stéphane Gambetta, Head of Esports BAR Business Development. “Having Todd Sitrin and Gary Stevenson at Esports BAR Miami confirms our commitment to providing delegates with access to the industry game-changers as they elevate the powerful combination of esports and traditional sports,” adds Stephane Gambetta.
“Last season was a landmark moment for North American sports fans as the eMLS propelled us to reach a mass audience of engaged players and spectators through EA SPORTS FIFA,” said Todd Sitrin, SVP and GM of the EA Competitive Gaming Division. “In partnership with MLS, we created a new way for fans to connect with their favorite teams and support a new generation of FIFA stars through competitive gaming.”
“We are thrilled at the impact eMLS made on the intersection of competitive gaming and traditional sports in its first season,” said Gary Stevenson. “This step forward into competitive gaming alongside EA promotes deeper engagement with the sport and elevates our league and sport to millions around the world.”
Gary Stevenson and Todd Sitrin are the latest additions to the Esports BAR Miami conference roster that currently includes keynotes speakers Chris Hopper (Riot Games Head of North American Esports), Nate Nanzer (Overwatch League Commissioner) and Brendan Donohue (Managing Director of the NBA 2K League).
Launched in February 2017, the first edition of Esports BAR Cannes welcomed 115 delegates from 69 companies and 18 countries. The first Esports BAR Miami, in September 2017, hosted 100 leading esports executives from 63 companies and 17 countries. Last February, Esports BAR Cannes brought together 300 delegates from 128 companies in 40 countries, with many industry leaders calling for an additional event in Asia.
On August 3, 2018, the first Esports BAR Summit took place in the South Korean capital during ComicCon Seoul co-organised by Reed Exhibitions Korea and ReedPop.
Esports BAR Miami will bring together more than 300 delegates, including representatives of endemic and non-endemic brands, game publishers, agencies, media and streaming platforms, sports and esports organisations and teams.
Companies that have already signed up for Esports BAR Miami include: Ader, Air Asia, Amazon – GameOn, Alisports – Alibaba Group, Best Buy, Big – Benjamins International Group Co. Ltd, Cloud 9, Critical force, Domino’s pizza, Dream team, Dreamhack, AB, Easy live, Electronic Arts, Emasters, Encompass Digital Media, ESL, Esports.com, Esuba, Ex Machina Group, Fanai, Feed., Fnatic, G2 esports, Ginx Esports LTD, Hanwa Life Esports, Herbalife, Hi-Rez Studios, Hyper X, IBM, Invictus Gaming, Liga de Videojugas , Lagardère Sports Germany, Media Pro, Mountain Dew, Mineski, MTGx, MTL Esports Team, Na’vi, Panda Global, Paysafecard.com, Pepsico, Rai Com Spa, Riot Games, Ripple Esports, Rox tigers, Saville Production, Sennheiser, Supernova, Starbeast, Team Empire, Team Liquid, Team MVP, Team Vitality, Telepizza, The Global Agency, TYC, Ubisoft, UCC, Webedia among others.
