EDUCATION

 

SESSIONS. SPEAKERS. BIOS.

 

Executive Briefing: The Growing Impact of Esports


Esports are no longer a trend, they are real and they have staying power. In this session, learn about the ever-evolving world of esports and how the different players are working together to create bigger, more professional and more meaningful events. Hear how the NBA has embraced esports, how one of the largest esports event organizers plans for growth and how the esports phenomenon will impact your organization in the future.


Presenters: 
Michael Gallagher | Former President & CEO, Entertainment Software Association 
Devin Murphy
 | North America Events Lead, Riot Games 
Kenneth Payne
 | Senior Vice President, National Basketball Association 
Timothy Schneider
 | Founder and Chairman, Sports Division, Northstar Travel Group

BIOS

Michael Gallagher spent over 11 years as president and CEO of the Entertainment Software Association before stepping down last month. ESA is the U.S. association dedicated to serving the business and public affairs needs of companies that publish computer and video games for video game consoles, handheld devices, personal computers and the internet. During his time as CEO, Mike rebuilt and evolved the industry’s trade show – E3 – to not only welcome 70,000 attendees, but also engage billions worldwide online. Mike also lead the industry’s successful legal effort to cement its creative rights before the US Supreme Court in 2011. Those efforts supported the industry as it innovated in creating new online economies, pioneering the deployment of VR and mixed‐reality, and cresting $100 billion in annual revenue. Prior to his post at ESA, Mike worked in the wireless industry and served as a chief of staff on Capitol Hill and as an Assistant Secretary in the US Department of Commerce. .

Devin Murphy  is the Event Lead for the League of Legends Championship Series, or LCS. He drives the vision, strategy, development and execution of Riot's North American esports road shows, which include two finals per year in select North American cities, along with weekly studio shows from January through August in West Los Angeles. Devin serves as Event Producer on Riot's international esports events, such as the Mid-Season Invitational in Paris last May, and the recent World Championships in Korea that spanned five weeks from September to November. He is currently planning Worlds 2021, which will return the championship to North America.

Kenny Payne is a seasoned veteran with more than 25 years of experience in event planning and management at the NBA. He oversees elements of production, operations, sponsorship fulfillment, and execution for major domestic and international NBA events including day-to-day management of the league’s largest event, NBA All-Star. He leads approximately 15 staff members in the management of hotel and other hospitality logistics, including event communications and client services for all NBA, WNBA and G-League events and meetings. Payne has influenced many recent notable league events, including the 2018 Summer Meetings for league and team personnel in Las Vegas, the 2018 NBA Finals, NBA All-Star 2018 in Los Angeles as well as the 2018 NBA International Games in Shanghai, Shenzhen, Mexico City and London. Prior to the NBA, he spent six years as regional program director at Safaris, Inc., a worldwide destination management company.

Tim Schneider is the founder and chairman of the Sports Division of Northstar Travel Group. He is the founder of SportsTravel magazine and the TEAMS Conference & Expo, the world’s largest gathering of sports-event organizers. Tim served two terms on the board of directors of the National Association of Sports Commissions and in 2017 was inducted into the inaugural class of the NASC Hall of Fame. Schneider is the former chair of the Destination & Travel Foundation, which was formed by the combination of the Destination Marketing Association International Foundation and the U.S. Travel Association Foundation.

CONTACTS

DAVID BLANSFIELD
EVP & Group Publisher
dblansfield@ntmllc.com
201.902.1901
LORI CIOFFI
SVP/Chief Content Director
lcioffi@ntmllc.com
201.902.1975

SHALISE DEMOTT, CIS
VP, Sales
sdemott@ntmllc.com
561.251.9846

DANIELLE CIRAMI-GILLIS
VP, Events & Tradeshows
dgillis@ntmllc.com
646.380.6271

Northstar Meetings Group

100 Lighting Way, 2nd Floor
Secaucus, New Jersey 07094
Phone: +1 201-902-2000