High-Profile Program And Top Industry Speakers Generate Worldwide Interest In The Fourth Annual International eSports Conference
Berlin, May 29, 2007 - This year's International eSports Conference, which begins tomorrow, at the RheinEnergieStadion in Cologne, is receiving record breaking media attention and worldwide coverage showing the growing interest in eSports.
With 25 lectures and roundtable discussions, this year's International eSports Conference program is the most comprehensive in the event's young history. "This year's program is spectacular! We have never had such high level and exciting speakers," said Frank Sliwka, conference director of the International eSports Conference. "We will bring together representatives from the sports and eSports worlds to discuss how the two fields can work together in the future."
The CEO of the Kölner Sportstätten GmbH, Hans Rütten, also welcomes the Conference, "As manager of the RheinEnergie stadium we gladly welcome the International eSports Conference to our house. The Cologne stadium is the perfect choice to host the event which defines the closeness of sports and electronic sports."
This year's motto is, "eSports breaks frontiers." Over 30 international speakers and over 200 participants from all over the world will discuss the many aspects and current developments within eSports. The two main topics of the conference will be, "eSports as Sports," and, "Economic opportunities in eSports." These topics are all about the convergence of electronic sports, sports and lifestyle. This focus will be addressed by speakers including Birger de Geyter (Fatality Europe), Doug Scott (Vice President Entertainment & Lifestyle Electronic Arts), Dr. Jörg Müller-Lietzkow (Universität Jena), Prof. Dr. Christoph Breuer (Sporthochschule Köln), Rolf M. Kilzer (Geschäftsführer StadtSportBund Köln), Carsten Kunde und Frank Pinter (n!faculty), Sean Kauppinen (Vice President Kohnke Communications), Jens Hilgers (CEO GIGA Digital/Turtle Entertainment), Andreas Wochenalt (ORF), Sven Wedig (Wazap!) und Nicole Braun (eSport Presse Club). Keynote speeches will be given by representatives from Electronic Arts, Intel and World Cyber Games. The Mayor of Cologne, Fritz Schramma, will officially open the Conference.
As in previous years, the exhibition area is seeing additional growth as well. Exhibiting are the most important and best known eSport teams including as SK Gaming, Mousesports and Alternate aTTax as well as many promising projects from the gaming and eSports community.
With this comprehensive and outstanding program, this year's International eSports Conference has reached its goal in becoming the most important international business platform for electronic sports and has established itself as a fixture in the international games industry calendar.
The International eSports Conference takes place on May 30-31 in Cologne, Germany, at the RheinEnergieStadion. The first day will feature specialized workshops, only available upon invitation and for registered guests. The second day will be the main part of the conference, consisting of keynote speakers, lectures and discussions. Electronic Arts, Intel and World Cyber Games are the main sponsors. Other supporters are the GC (Games Convention), the GC Developers Conference and Wazap! Media partners are GIGA Digital and eSportmarkt.de. The conference program and attendees registration can be accessed at www.esconf.com.
Quotes regarding the 2007 International eSports Conference
Nicole Braun (eSport-Press Club)
It is important that the people behind the scenes of eSports can come together to exchange information and network. The International eSports Conference provides a great platform and offers insight through its workshops as well as discussions of current projects and future developments.
Conrad S. Conrad (Press and PR Director, mTw)
I am glad to actively represent eSports at this year International eSports Conference as well as participating in the presentations and discussions. eSports is only in its early stages but with events such as the International eSports Conference it proves that we are on the right path and that the sports may perhaps be further along than it seems. Let's support it together.
Jens Hilgers (CEO GIGA Digital/Turtle Entertainment)
The International eSports Conference has positioned itself as a fixture in this young and growing market. The size and reach of this year's Conference mirrors the growth of eSports in the last 12 months. Thus, I look forward to receiving information and a positive exchange of ideas at the 2007 ESCONF.
Don S. Kim (CEO AC Entertainment/World Cyber Games)
As one of the leading companies in eSport events, it's a matter of course for us to support such an internationally-recognized, outstanding event as the International eSports Conference. We are confident that this event extends the image and importance of eSports in the areas of politics, partnerships, and media.
Simon Wondracek (Editor eGames)
Despite the euphoria over the growth of this market, there is still more to learn and to improve in eSports for all participants. I hope that we can have open discussions about the problems and together find the solutions to the still unanswered questions of this young sport at the ESCONF.
Contact:
Frank Sliwka
Conference Director
Phone +49.(0)171.12 888 98
E-Mail f.sliwka@metrast.com