UK-based events company and trade publication Esports Insider (ESI) has announced the return of its ESI Digital esports business networking and conference event.
ESI Digital Spring 2021 will take place purely online on March 30th and 31st, with Summer and Winter events to run later in the year.
It promises two days of top digital content from panel discussions, brand showcases and topical industry debates from prominent figures in the esports industry.
It aims to draw more than 400 attendees, 60+ speakers, and more than 16 hours of content, with attendees able to access it live and on-demand, after the event.
There will also be digital networking and one-on-one private meeting opportunities via the event platform Brella.
In terms of physical events, ESI says it’s continuing to assess the situation in different cities globally, in Europe, North America and Asia, and ‘is quietly confident’ in being able to deliver an edition of its flagship conference ESI London towards the end of the year.
“2020 was a challenging year for the events industry and I am pleased that we were able to showcase resilience and create an array of excellent virtual events.”
Sam Cooke, Esports Insider
Speakers at ESI Digital Spring 2021, meanwhile, will range from leading esports organisations and tournament organisers to well-known global brands and financial firms.
Currently confirmed topics and speakers include ‘Checkmate, is chess an esport?’ featuring the likes of TSM, Envy, and Chess.com amongst others, a session by Bayes Esports on the format that makes for the fairest tournament, ‘Brand wars – how are Chinese esports teams and brands expanding overseas’ with RNG, LGD Gaming and more.
For more on what to expect, check out Esports News UK’s recap of the 2020 ESI Digital Summit here.
There will also be a look at ecommerce and prize money payouts in esports with Nuvei, Prize Payments and StarLadder, sessions on investment, fan engagement and more.
The event will see Grid, leaders in esports data, return as a Gold partner for the ESI Digital series across Spring, Summer and Winter, along with Bayes Esports, Davis Wright Tremaine, Nuvei and Reely featuring in the Spring edition.
ESI has also partnered with sports media business rights event firm Sportel for events throughout the year.
“2020 was a challenging year for the events industry and I am pleased that we were able to showcase resilience and create an array of excellent virtual events,” said Sam Cooke, MD and co-founder at Esports Insider.
“No one knows what this year will bring, but in 2021 we’re focused on quality over quantity. We will deliver just three ESI Digital events, but with the very best content and networking opportunities, and unrivalled speakers from every corner of the industry.
“So many of our prestigious partners have decided to join us again for 2021, as well as new industry leaders who recognise the immense value ESI events can deliver for brands.”
Tickets cost £60+ VAT individually, with discounts for teams, or £140 for an annual pass that includes access to all three ESI Digital events this year.
The full line-up of speakers and the agenda will be added to the ESI Digital Spring website in the coming days and weeks.
Dom is an award-winning writer and finalist of the Esports Journalist of the Year 2023 award. He graduated from Bournemouth University with a 2:1 degree in Multi-Media Journalism in 2007.
As a long-time gamer having first picked up the NES controller in the late ’80s, he has written for a range of publications including GamesTM, Nintendo Official Magazine, industry publication MCV and others. He worked as head of content for the British Esports Federation up until February 2021, when he stepped back to work full-time on Esports News UK and offer esports consultancy and freelance services. Note: Dom still produces the British Esports newsletter on a freelance basis, so our coverage of British Esports is always kept simple – usually just covering the occasional press release – because of this conflict of interest.
