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The Esports Insider media company and leading B2B esports events, Esports Insider (ESI), are proud to announce the agenda for the ESINext Gen conference, a one-and a half-day conference that focuses on esports, video games, and education. Interactive sessions, networking, and insight will be offered at the University’s Esports Centre on March 22nd-23rd 2023.
The UK has seen a steady increase in the number of esports-focused courses. This is beyond competitive play. There are now 39 courses offered by 14 providers across the UK. These courses offer three-year degrees, Higher Education courses, and courses on specific industry aspects.
Esports Insider & University of Warwick are two of the most respected authorities in esports education and business. They have created the first ever ESI Next Gen conference. This conference will bring together college and university leaders from the UK and abroad, as well as professionals from the esports industry, to discuss the opportunities the industry has for young people. It will bring together game developers, regional governments, educators, service providers and publishers from all sectors, as well as tournament operators, tournament organizers, regional government, and even the UK’s largest creative clusters. You’ll find plenty of industry-related and education-focused content. There will also be extensive networking opportunities for students who are interested in the industry.
Gold Sponsor IN4Group, Official Youth Esports Partner Esports Coaching Academy and event partners Chillblast PR, Viperio. ESI Next Gen will welcome more than 250 people, and there will be over 30 speakers in 9 sessions.
This year’s speakers include industry executives and educators such as:
- Meg Daintith is the Talent Acquisition Manager at Electronic Arts
- Phil Bale, Operations Manager at Ubisoft Leamington
- Kalam Neale is Head of Education at British Gaming
- Gina Jackson OBE, founder of Skillfull
- Olafur Steinarsson is the co-founder and COO of Esports Coaching Academy.
- Mikayla Sinead is the founder and CEO of Bridge Network Group.
- James Fraser-Murison Director of Esports, Queen Marys College
- Becky Wright, Senior Partnerships Manager at NSE
- Dr Bianca Wright is the Curriculum Lead: Immersive at Coventry University.
- Shahneila Saeed, Programme Director for Digital Schoolhouse
There will be five panels and two workshops at ESI Next Gen. All are designed to support industry stakeholders, educators, and students equally. This event will focus on leadership in esports, gaming education, navigating obstacles to curriculum development, graduate opportunities, policy issues, and sector growth.
Esports Coaching Academy will host a workshop called “Pathways to Building a Career and Business In Grassroots Young Esports”. This workshop will give attendees valuable insight and resources about the grassroots esports industry and how to make a career and a business out of it. The workshop will discuss the current state of youth esports and offer career paths, business opportunities, and best practices in grassroots Esports.
Sam Cooke is Managing Director and Founder of ESI. He stated: “We are thrilled to be working alongside the University of Warwick in our first ESI Next Gen. This event will be a wonderful opportunity to promote and explore the collaboration between the esports, videogame industries and educational institutions to build a strong foundation for new emerging talent.
The event will begin with a networking social, the final of Lions Clash (a Valorant tournament for UK colleges and universities), and then there will be an evening reception on 22 March 2023. This will allow attendees to register early and experience an esports event in a friendly and relaxed environment.
Jack Fenton is Head of Esports, University of Warwick. He says: “This landmark for Warwick as cocreating the ESI has been an exciting strategic objective for both us and Esports Insider. This will be the Esports Centre’s largest and most influential event to-date, and I’m proud to be a catalyst for creativity and the digital sector. It will be a great opportunity to see the results of this collaboration.
Come join us at ESI Next Gen 2023, where we will celebrate the convergence between esports and video games, on March 22-23, at the Esports Centre in Coventry.
Save with our Group Registration Rates if you bring a team of three or more. Students currently enrolled in the program can register for #ESINextGen at a discounted rate. Tickets are now available, with an option to include accommodation.
