On Friday 11th March, HOST will bring its inaugural Esports Festival to MediaCity with the renowned ESI breakfast club, a series of roundtables, panel discussions and networking events to celebrate the phenomenal growth of the esports industry and the career opportunities it offers. The Esports Festival is sponsored by EQ and supported by WIGI. Register here.

Esports Festival Agenda

9:00am - 1:00pm – ESI Breakfast Club presented by Gravity Media - By invitation only - Please message events@esportsinsider.com to find out more

1:00 - 2:00pm – HOST Esports Festival - Sessions & networking

Networking lunch included

2:00 - 2:40pm - How can the UK esports ecosystem create the best conditions for bringing AAA events to the nation?

Panel chair - Mark Weller - Chief Gaming Officer - Vexed Gaming

James Dean - Director UK Strategy and Commercial - ESL Gaming

Andrew Haworth - Commissioner - BLAST Premier

Rob Black - Chief Executive Officer - Promod Esports

Laura Byrne - Junior Account Manager - Swipe Right PR


2:45 - 3:25pm - Why carving out a space for women and non-binary community members is key to making esports more inclusive

Panel chair - Riley Soley - Media & Marketing Executive - Esports Insider

Anisah Munim - Product Manager - NUEL

Joanie Kraut - CEO - WIGI

Kendryx Linscott - Chief Marketing Officer - WIGI

Ruby Dawn - COO - Dota Valkyries


3:30 - 4:15pm - Networking break & careers roundtables


4:30 - 5:10pm - Talent Pipeline - how to create healthy pathways into the esports industry


Heather Dower - Founder & CEO - Hotdrop

Nathan Edmonds - Head of Community & Marketing - Hitmarker

Becky Wright - Senior Partnerships Manager - NSE

Jon Winkle - Managing Director - EPIC.LAN


5:15 - 6:00pm - What benefits does the esports space hold for football clubs and players?


Steve Hawthorn - Head of Digital, Data & Esports - Burnley FC

Aaron Duckmanton - Head of Global Digital and Content Strategy - Leeds United FC

Jonas Gundersen - COO - NiP

Suzie Dickinson - Head of Talent - Epic Global


6:15 - 8:00pm – VIP Drinks Reception


8:00pm - late – After party


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#HOSTEsports #HOSTEsportsFestival

Organised by In4 Group. Free to attend.

REGISTER