04 - 05 December, 2018
Hilton Tokyo Bay, Chiba, Japan

Conference Day One – Tuesday 4 Dec 2018

8:00 am - 9:00 am Morning Refreshment and Registration

8:50 am - 9:00 am Opening Remarks from the Chairperson

9:00 am - 9:20 am Opening Keynote: Exploring Collaborative Opportunities between Esports and the Olympics

  • Understanding how esports continues to grow and evolve alongside traditional sports
  • Highlighting potential collaborative opportunities between esports and the Olympic movement: Discussing challenges and opportunities
  • Analysing what needs to happen to take the esports agenda further: governance, National structures and best practices so far
  • Reviewing current developments between esports and steps forward
Kit McConnell, Sports Director at International Olympic Committee

Kit McConnell

Sports Director
International Olympic Committee

9:20 am - 10:00 am Host Country Keynote: Developing and Growing the Esports Market in Japan: JeSU’s Role and Future Opportunities

  • Understanding how recent regulatory changes can drive the growth of esports in Japan
  • Analysing the role of JeSU in growing esports in Japan
  • Understanding the government perspective on esports- how can the public and private sector work hand-in-hand?
  • Ensuring checks and balances in the frontier esports market: Overcoming social challenges in the esports market

10:00 am - 10:30 am Esports and ONE Championship: Exploring New Frontiers


Chatri Sityodtong, Founder and Group CEO at One Championship

Chatri Sityodtong

Founder and Group CEO
One Championship

10:30 am - 10:40 am Speed Networking

10:40 am - 11:00 am Morning Networking & Refreshment Break

11:00 am - 11:40 am Esports in the Asian Games: Addressing the Implications and Future Opportunities for the Industry

  • Understanding the rationale, experience and response behind the inclusion of esports at the 2018 Asian Games
  • Lessons learnt from the esports demonstration at the 2018 Asian Games
  • Highlighting the practical implications and growth opportunities for collaboration between National sport committees and the esports industry
  • Evaluating the evolving role and scope of National Olympic committees and regional sporting events
Ratna Irsana, Director, Media and Public Relations at Indonesia Asian Games 2018 Organizing Committee (INASGOC)

Ratna Irsana

Director, Media and Public Relations
Indonesia Asian Games 2018 Organizing Committee (INASGOC)

11:40 am - 12:20 pm Developing the Esports Market in Japan: Blizzard’s Integrated and Sustainable Approach

  • Providing an overview of Blizzard’s integrated approach to the Japanese market
  • Focus on business and community sustainable models
  • Integrating online and offline tournaments to increase higher viewership and engagement
  • Reviewing current initiatives and next steps forward
Shinya Tamaoka, Esports Manager at Blizzard Entertainment Japan

Shinya Tamaoka

Esports Manager
Blizzard Entertainment Japan

12:20 pm - 1:20 pm Lunch and Networking Break

1:20 pm - 2:00 pm Spotlight on Japan: Facilitating Strong Esports Growth in a Mature Gaming Market

  • Providing an update on the latest regulatory frameworks for esports in Japan and what it means for the esports industry
  • Exploring opportunities to leverage a robust gaming market to grow and commercialise the esports market
  • Analysing market sentiment on esports growth in Japan: Likely perspectives from the country’s biggest game developers
  • Crystal-balling into the future: What will the esports industry look like in 5 years?
Raiford Cockfield, CEO & Co- Founder at WASD

Raiford Cockfield

CEO & Co- Founder
WASD

2:00 pm - 2:40 pm Developing Your Coherent Branding and Marketing Strategy in Esports to Maximise Your Return on Investment

  • The international experience so far in the esports scene- Why we have invested and what have been the returns since?
  • Developing your coherent branding and marketing strategy- How to create genuine content that resonates with your audience?
  • Analysing the value and impact of influencer marketing in esports- How to go about it the right way
Allan Phang, Allstars Engagement and Internal Branding  and Team Manager of AirAsia Allstars Esports Club at AirAsia Group

Allan Phang

Allstars Engagement and Internal Branding and Team Manager of AirAsia Allstars Esports Club
AirAsia Group

  • Why esports?
  • Short-term wins vs long-term strategy
  • Can we do things bigger and better in Japan?
  • Lessons learnt from other markets and applying them to Japan
Allan Phang, Allstars Engagement and Internal Branding  and Team Manager of AirAsia Allstars Esports Club at AirAsia Group

Allan Phang

Allstars Engagement and Internal Branding and Team Manager of AirAsia Allstars Esports Club
AirAsia Group

Richard Choi

Esports Director
Blizzard Entertainment Korea

Ayuha Nakamura

Partner Outreach Lead
Twitch

Raiford Cockfield, CEO & Co- Founder at WASD

Raiford Cockfield

CEO & Co- Founder
WASD

3:20 pm - 4:50 pm Afternoon Tea and Networking

Delegates will get the opportunity to select 3 tables of their choice, each led by a roundtable host for a 30 minutes discussion. All 6 roundtables will kick start simultaneously, with delegates rotating after each 30 minute session. Discussion groups are deliberately kept small to ensure that all delegates get the interactive, multi-directional opportunity to ask their most pressing questions, thereby guaranteeing a perfectly tailored experience.

Roundtable 1: Making Sense of Investments- How to Further Leverage an Already Mature Gaming Market in North Asia
Roundtable 2: Capitalising on Japan’s Robust Gaming Infrastructure and Grassroots to Develop Sustainable Business Models in Esports
Roundtable 3: Analysing Revenue Opportunities for Esports in Japan: What Should You Focus on?
Roundtable 4: Integrating Esports Into Your Organization- Internal Adoption Before External Commitments
Roundtable 5: Examining the Business Implications of Integrating Esports into Traditional Sports and Major Sporting Events
Roundtable 6: How to Successfully Execute World-Class Tournaments in North Asia

Richard Choi

Esports Director
Blizzard Entertainment Korea

Raiford Cockfield, CEO & Co- Founder at WASD

Raiford Cockfield

CEO & Co- Founder
WASD

Frank Sliwka, COO Asia at ESL Asia

Frank Sliwka

COO Asia
ESL Asia

Allan Phang, Allstars Engagement and Internal Branding  and Team Manager of AirAsia Allstars Esports Club at AirAsia Group

Allan Phang

Allstars Engagement and Internal Branding and Team Manager of AirAsia Allstars Esports Club
AirAsia Group

5:30 pm - 6:00 pm Closing Panel Discussion: Making Esports Work in North Asia- Actualising Latent Potential and Commercial Opportunities

  • Drawing upon lessons learnt and best practice from the rest of the world
  • Leapfrogging the maturity curve and developing a robust esports economy in North Asia and Japan
  • Strengthening the relationships between game developer, government and national associations to grow the industry

Richard Choi

Esports Director
Blizzard Entertainment Korea

Frank Sliwka, COO Asia at ESL Asia

Frank Sliwka

COO Asia
ESL Asia

Raiford Cockfield, CEO & Co- Founder at WASD

Raiford Cockfield

CEO & Co- Founder
WASD

6:00 pm - 6:10 pm Closing Remarks from Chairperson & Close of Conference Day One