The 5th Global Esports Executive Summit to be held online!

 

The 5th Global Esports Executive Summit (GEES20) opens its doors on 29 November 2020 in Busan, South Korea. GEES20, to be held on November 29th and 30th, 2020, is the 5th annual installment of IESF’s Global Esports Executive Summit which aims to be a shining example for the COVID-19 era with its innovative online-offline format. GEES20 will start at 16:00 (KST) / 09:00 (SAST) on both days. 

GEES was started in 2015, and has been held on an annual basis. The conference has grown in stature and has gathered key esports stakeholders from around the globe to create an environment for discussion, education, and action towards esports development through conferences, exhibitions, academic lectures, and networking events.

As International Esports Federation (IESF) effectively faces the challenges posed by COVID-19 head on, plans have been made this year for delegates to participate and contribute both live at the venue, and online. Lectures and presentations will be broadcast live on IESF’s Youtube. Thus GEES20 is shaping up to be a truly unique and groundbreaking event. 

This year’s theme is Evolution and Expansion! 

The agenda consists of four sessions, each covering a different topic, and including the participation of  guests who will give keynote addresses and engage in panel discussions at the venue and online around the world. 

The GEES20 Sessions:

Nov. 29th

1. Esports and Traditional Sports Convergence

• Identifying Opportunities for Collaboration
• Developing Opportunities for Collaboration
• Bringing Our Communities Together

2. Diversity Marketing and Esports

• Marketing to Esports Diversity
• Expanding Markets and Brand Partners

Nov. 30th

1. Esports in the Time of COVID-19

• Recognizing Opportunities for Esports
• The Unique Position of Esports

2. New Frontiers in Esports Technology

• Display Technologies in Esports
• Exploring New Esports Technology

See the full list of speakers here!

The two-day event takes place at the Busan Esports Arena in Busan, South Korea, less than two weeks after the brand new, state-of-the-art facility’s official grand opening on November 18th. The Esports Arena was announced in March 2019, under the presidency of Colin Webster, and was made possible due to the investment from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) and the City of Busan. The Busan Esports Arena promises to be a boon for IESF events, and for Korean esports in general. It features a main arena, two sub-arenas and cutting edge facilities for players, staff, and fans.

Register for free at www.gees20.com for upcoming news!

GEES20 is supported by the City of Busan and the Busan IT Promotion Agency (BIPA).

A meeting of minds.

Kim Young Man (KeSPA President) and Colin Webster (IESF President) have 40 years in esports between them.

Back in 1998, in the early days of esports, few saw the true potential of esports.

In Korea, Kim Young Man ran his first StarCraft championship, while in the same year Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) ran its first Provincial Championships for StarCraft at the Old Edwardian Society.

Kim Young Man helped found KesPA in 2000 and then went on to become the first president of Korea e-Sports Association (KeSPA), while Colin Webster served as president of MSSA up until 2013. It should be noted that MSSA was founded in 1985.

Now Kim Young Man is back, Kim has once again taken on the mantle of presiding over KeSPA.

At IESF's Global Esports Executive Summit (GEES), Kim and Colin met, and a friendship between  the two was immediately formed. Together, the two represent 40 years in esports, and both share the same vision for esports.

Janine wows GEES.

Five time Olympian, Charmaine Crooks seen together with Dr. Janine Brandt of South Africa.

International Esports Federation's Global Esports Executive Summit (GEES) was without a doubt the pinnacle of all esprts summits held.

While it is true that all the speakers present were extremely knowledgeable and erudite, none stood out quite so much as Dr. Janine Brandt.

Janine's presentation, "Esports: Mutually beneficial or equally detrimental" was well received by the entire audience. Associate Professor of St. John's University, was heard to enthuse that her presentation had, in fact, laid out the entire syllabus for study. There is no doubt that much of her presentation will be copied and used in future summits and conferences around the world.

Janine then participated in the panel discussion, "How esports can support physical and mental well being", and again demonstrated her vast insight and knowledge on the subject.

Also read: 

• “ESPORTS SUSTAINABILITY” – Speakers for GEES 2019

• Dr. Janine Brandt is off to Busan to address GEES.

• ANNUAL CONFERENCE TO CONNECT WITH ESPORTS

• Busan Metropolitan Government to cooperate actively in developing esports

• GEES 2019 to be held in Busan, Korea, 29 to 31 August 2019

• IESF announces DOTA 2 as First Game Title for 11th Esports World Championship

• 2019 Esports World Championship: December 11 to 15, 2019

• Excitement abounds as GEES draws nearer.

• Dr. Janine Brandt steps forward to promote gender equality in gaming.

“ESPORTS SUSTAINABILITY” – Speakers for GEES 2019

The speakers include Charmaine Crooks and Dr. Janine Brandt.

IESF is excited to announce its speakers for the 4th Global Esports Executive Summit (GEES). GEES this year, hosted by Busan Metropolitan City, will be held under the theme “Esports Sustainability and Governance.”

Esports Sustainability is divided into two sub sectors, Health and Sustainability. Speakers for the respective sectors are as follows:

[HEALTH]

Presentation

 SUBJECT  - Esports : Mutually beneficial or equally detrimental? 

• SPEAKER - Janine Brandt, National Department of Health (Govn), Medical Doctor 

 Panel Discussion

 SUBJECT - How esports can support physical and mental well being 

• SPEAKERS - Colin Webster, IESF, President
                       - Tramayne Monaghan, Tencent, Chief Innovation Officer
                       - Janine Brandt, National Department of Health (Govn), Medical Doctor
                       - David Hedlund, St. John’s University, Associate Professor 

[SUSTAINABILITY]

 Presentation

 SUBJECT  - Win-win strategy and synergy creations between various esports stakeholders

• SPEAKER - Cheol Hag Kim, Korea e-Sports Association, Secretary General 

 Panel Discussion

 SUBJECT - Defining & Standardizing to reach a consensus for esports terminology 

• SPEAKERS - Cheol Hag Kim, Korea e-Sports Association, Secretary General
                       - SungChul Byun, THE MATCH LAB, CEO
                       - Magnus Jonsson, IESF, Board Member
                       - Koen Schobber, IESF Player’s Committee, Member
                       - Nicholas Khoo, SCOGA, Chairman 

 For more information on GEES 2019, please visit: https://gees.rsportz.com/

Also read: 

• Dr. Janine Brandt is off to Busan to address GEES.

• ANNUAL CONFERENCE TO CONNECT WITH ESPORTS
• Busan Metropolitan Government to cooperate actively in developing esports.
• GEES 2019 to be held in Busan, Korea, 29 to 31 August 2019
• IESF announces DOTA 2 as First Game Title for 11th Esports World Championship
• 2019 Esports World Championship: December 11 to 15, 2019
• Excitement abounds as GEES draws nearer.
• Dr. Janine Brandt steps forward to promote gender equality in gaming.

Dr. Janine Brandt is off to Busan to address GEES.

Dr. Janine Brandt (Valhalla).

In April of this year (2019) Dr. Janine Brandt was co-opted onto MSSA's Board in order to hold the position of Womens' Desk.

Janine has already done more in such position than all her predecessors have ever done, and is a dynamic member of the team.

Thus it has come as no surprise to Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) to find out that Janine has been invited by International Esports Federation (IESF) to discuss, and talk on, health matters affecting esports athletes at its Global Esports Executive Summit - Busan.

Already stretched for time as a medical doctor, Janine throws herself into her passions which includes the issue of gender equality in the gaming industry and making more opportunities available for females, as well as promoting health, healthy living and the health benefits associated with gaming in fellow gamers.

In esports circles, Janine is known for her competitiveness in the popular title League of Legends.

Also read: 

• ANNUAL CONFERENCE TO CONNECT WITH ESPORTS
• Busan Metropolitan Government to cooperate actively in developing esports.
• GEES 2019 to be held in Busan, Korea, 29 to 31 August 2019
• IESF announces DOTA 2 as First Game Title for 11th Esports World Championship
• 2019 Esports World Championship: December 11 to 15, 2019
• Excitement abounds as GEES draws nearer.
• Dr. Janine Brandt steps forward to promote gender equality in gaming.

Registration for Global Esports Executive Summit 2019 is now open

Once again, the City of Busan will host GEES.

International Esports Federation (IESF) is delighted to announce that registration for the Global Esports Executive Summit (GEES) 2019 is now open. 

Following GEES 2017 and 2018, GEES 2019 will be held in Busan for the third consecutive year.

2019 will see GEES being held at the Paradise Hotel Busan on Aug 29th – September 1st, 2019. The main conference for sharing ideas, creating synergies, and most of all, to reach a mutual consensus for holistic esports development will be on August 30th, 2019.

GEES this year will be focusing on enhancing dialogues between esports and sports stakeholders, and to openly discuss relevant issues. IESF confirmed the six themes to be discussed at the GEES 2019.

The themes of this year are as follows:

• Future Direction of Esports
• Esports and Sports
• Sustainability of Esports
• Esports and Match Fixing
• Esports Policy
• Esports and Medical Issues

Registration for GEES 2019 will be conducted via the official website where more information can also be found.  (Reference: http:// gees.rsportz.com) You can book your place at the early bird rate until 31 July 2019. IESF looks forward to welcoming you to the GEES 2019.

Also read:

• Busan Metropolitan Government to cooperate actively in developing esports.
• GEES 2019 to be held in Busan, Korea, 29 to 31 August 2019
• IESF announces DOTA 2 as First Game Title for 11th Esports World Championship
• 2019 Esports World Championship: December 11 to 15, 2019

Unifying Esports Voices at the 3rd Global Esports Executive Summit (GEES)

Attentive attendants at GEES.

GEES saw two South Africans as panalists at the very upmarket 3^rd Global Esports Executive Summit (GEES), being Colin Webster (IESF President) and Jason Batzofin (IESF Athletes' Commission Chairperson).

As an event promoting open discussion of global esports development, the 3^rd Global Esports Executive Summit (GEES) was held in Busan, South Korea, gathering key stakeholders from 57 countries, 121 organizations (181 participants) on 13^th to 15^th November 2018.

The agenda covered four core areas as announced in August 2018 which were discussed with vim and vigour at GEES 2018.

• ESPORTS GOVERNANCE
• GAMING DISORDER
• ESPORTS PROFIT MODEL
• ESPORTS ADMINISTRATION

‘Esports Governance’ agenda was led by two keynote presentations from both RIOT GAMES (publisher perspective), and CTESA (esports national federation perspective, Chinese Taipei Esports Association), portraying both opinions of the public and private sectors of esports, followed by a panel representing both esports and sports world to discuss on ‘collaboration for esports ecosystem development’.

GEES 2018 this year also introduced a new section, ‘Esports Academic Seminar’, which is a pillar of the Global Esports R&D Center of IESF. As a new initiative to promote esports researches to enhance and support the esports industry development momentum, 4 different researches were presented to the delegates of GEES

Research	Presenter
Esports Governance in East Asia	Peichi Chung (The Chinese University of Hong Kong)
Understanding & Enriching Esports – Esports research at UC Irvine	Je Seok Lee (University of California, Irvine, USA)
Esports Risk Management	Gil Fried (University of New Haven, USA)
Esports and Equality	Maria Stukoff (University of Salford, United Kingdom)

(Related article of Global Esports R&D Center:

https://www.ie-sf.org/news/iesf-launches-global-esports-rdcentre-for-further-esports-development/)

Upcoming 4^th GEES will once again be held in Busan in 2019 to continuously promote dialogues between sports and esports and reach consensus for promising direction toward a better Esports world.

More detailed information can be found the official 2018 GEES website (https://iesf.rsportz.com/).

REFERENCE:

• AGENDA - SPEAKER information

Agenda		Speaker & Panelist
Esports Governance	Esports World (Publisher’s perspective)	Ho Min Lee (Riot Games)
	Esports World (Federation’s perspective)	Brayden Erwin (Chinese Taipei eSports Association)
	How publishers and federations can collaborate for esports ecosystem development	Ho Min Lee (Riot Games) Vlad Marinescu (Rsportz, Pressident of USeF, Former GAISF Director General) Ian Smith (Esports Integrity Coalition) Serhat Bekedmir (Collegiate Esports League) Brayden Erwin (Chinese Taipei Esports Association)
Gaming Disorder	How esports can support gaming disorder	Kevin Morris (Daily Dot) Colin Webster (IESF President) Jason Batzofin (Athletes’ Commission Chair)
Esports Profit Model	How AirAsia Allstars created internal & external awareness on esports	Allan Phang (AirAsia Esports)
	How esports stakeholders can create sustainable profit models and expand the market	Allan Phang (AirAsia Esports) Samart Benjamin Assarasakorn (Benjamins International Group Company Ltd) Sunghoon Jung (Rossetti) Alexey Kuznetsov (Wargamings) Katsuhiro Harada (BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment)
Esports Administration	How Korean government has supported esports from administration?	Gyujig Kim (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism)
	How can administration support the growth of esports?	Gyujig Kim (Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism) Duane Kale (International Paralympic Committee) Charmaine Crooks (NGU Consultant, Five Times Olympian) Peichi Chung (The Chinese University of Hong Kong) Cheol Hag Kim (Korea e-Sports Association) Cristian Mazzei (UN Environment)

Early Bird Promotion in October for GEES 2018!

Global Esports Executive Summit (GEES) is the place to gather key esports stakeholders to reach consensus for esports development and to involve International Sports Society to openly discuss on how esports can generate synergies with traditional sports.

The topics deal with many of the vital issues in this fast growing sport as esports hurtles towards full accreditation as a sport.
Under the International Esports Federation (IESF), esports has moved closer to being recognised as an official sport, and with having over 48 member National Federations as members, IESF has a vast pool of knowledge and experience upon which it can draw.

The Agenda for GEES is:

Agenda
Session	Category	Agenda
Esports Governance	Keynote Speech	Esports World (Publisher’s perspective)
	Keynote Speech	Esports World (Federation’s perspective)
	Panel Discussion	How publishers and federations can collaborate for esports ecosystem development
Gaming Disorder	Keynote Speech	Gaming Disorder
	Panel Discussion	How esports can support gaming disorder
Esports Profit Model	Keynote Speech	Profit models comparison between esports and game Industry
	Panel Discussion	How esports stakeholders can create sustainable profit models and expand the market?
Esports Administration	Keynote Speech	How Korean Government has supported esports from administration ?
	Panel Discussion	What are the outcomes when esports connected to administration ?

More details can be found at http://iesf.rsportz.com/ 

Jason Batzofin shines at GEES.

Professor Andy Miah (left) and  Jason Batzofin (right).

Following the Global Esports Executive Summit (GEES) 2016 which was held in Shanghai, International e-Sports Federation (IeSF) held its Global Esports Executive Summit (GEES) 2017 in Busan, at the International Passenger Terminal Convention Center on November 13th - 15th.

So it was that Mind Sports South Africa's Jason Batzofin (who is also IESF's Chairman of the Players' Commission) shared the stage with Matthew Pound (Head  of Communications of the Internnational Table Tennis Federation), Professor Andy Miah (university of Salford), and Sean Kwom (VP of International Business of Appnori) discussed the topic: Esport and Sports Synergies "Value Creation".

What ensued was a lively debate in which Jason proved to be a equal to thee other panelists.

By the end of the discussion a number of the areas in which there are synergies had been explored, and the audience further educated.

Meet the speakers at Global Esports Executive Summit (GEES) 2017

International e-Sports Federation (IeSF) has confirmed the six agendas to be discussed at the Global Esports Executive Summit (GEES) 2017. 

Following the GEES 2016 which was held in Shanghai, the GEES 2017 will be held in Busan, at the International Passenger Terminal Convention Center on November 13th - 15th.

The agenda of GEES 2017 is as follows:

• Esports to Olympics
• Future Direction of Esports
• Esports Relations with Public Sector
• Esports Betting
• Making One Esports World
• Esports Academic Society

GEES 2017 will be added with new programs such as ‘B2B Promotion Zone’ and ‘New Esports Showcase’. B2B zone is an exhibition booth for GEES 2017 partners to increase their brand exposure, and the showcase is an opportunity to give potential developers to showcase their new esports discipline.

The Summit is to be held directly after the end of the 9th esports World Championship, and is expected to be hosted on a larger scale than before with more than 200 officials from both side of sports and esports. For a more detailed introduction to the event, please refer to the official website http://iesf.rsportz.com/ where registration is also possible.

For information on the announcement of GEES 2017, please refer to the article link below:

http://www.ie-sf.org/news/global-esports-executive-summit-2017-to-be-held-in-busan-korea/

Registration opens for Global Esports Executive Summit (GEES) 2017

International e-Sports Federation (IeSF) has confirmed the six agendas to be discussed at the Global Esports Executive Summit (GEES) 2017. 

Following the GEES 2016 which was held in Shanghai, the GEES 2017 will be held in Busan, at the International Passenger Terminal Convention Center on November 13th - 15th.

The agenda of GEES 2017 is as follows:

• Esports to Olympics
• Future Direction of Esports
• Esports Relations with Public Sector
• Esports Betting
• Making One Esports World
• Esports Academic Society

GEES 2017 will be added with new programs such as ‘B2B Promotion Zone’ and ‘New Esports Showcase’. B2B zone is an exhibition booth for GEES 2017 partners to increase their brand exposure, and the showcase is an opportunity to give potential developers to showcase their new esports discipline.

The Summit is to be held directly after the end of the 9th esports World Championship, and is expected to be hosted on a larger scale than before with more than 200 officials from both side of sports and esports. For a more detailed introduction to the event, please refer to the official website http://iesf.rsportz.com/ where registration is also possible.

For information on the announcement of GEES 2017, please refer to the article link below:

http://www.ie-sf.org/news/global-esports-executive-summit-2017-to-be-held-in-busan-korea/