Sports industry awards and conference producer SPIA Asia is expanding its inclusion of esports for the 2018 edition of the annual event, which is the biggest of its kind in Asia.
This will include panel sessions at the conference, as well as an award for ‘Esports Event of the Year (Asia)’. We have partnered with SPIA to deliver these features of the overall event, which is set to take place in Bangkok over 19-20th November.
Eric M. Gottschalk, CEO of MMC Sportz Marketing – the rights holder and organiser of SPIA Asia 2018 noted: “We are proud to announce our strategic partnership with esports Insider as we believe that the integrity of our awards can only be maintained through the involvement of independent industry experts. Esports has skyrocketed the sports industry in the recent years and therefore has a prominent place at our conference and at the awards and we look forward to unveiling the winners of this extremely competitive category.”
Sam Cooke, Managing Director and Co-Founder at Esports Insider, commented: “We’re looking forward to working with the SPIA team to deliver the esports segment of this event, and ensure the award ends up in the right hands, and that the panel discussions provide value and food for thought for attendees too.
“With so many notable tournaments having been held across the continent in 2018, it’ll be hard fought and a difficult decision to make, and doubtless the competition will be even tougher next year too which can only be a positive sign for the esports industry as a whole. As we at ESI look to expand our own footprint in Asia too, we’re hopeful that this partnership becomes a long-term one, and it’s great to see an event such as SPIA already recognising the value of including esports in its agenda.”
SPIA Asia is held annually, and celebrates ‘the brands, agencies, rights holders, marketers, venues and organizations which positively influence the sporting landscape in Asia’. In 2018, they have a total of 22 awards delivered, with everything from ‘Best Global Sports Organisation Operating in Asia’ to ‘Best Sportswear Brand of the Year’ and more. The winners will be announced at a black tie Gala Dinner, and awards submissions (the shortlists for which will be announced on 4th November), are open to 47 countries throughout Asia.
In terms of attendees there will be a cross-section of rights-holders, governing bodies, organisers and brands in one room. Some of those confirmed for SPIA Asia 2018 include Colin Gibson (AFC), Benjamin Tan (Thai Football League) Fernando De Matos (VISA), Ivan Codina (LaLiga), Dr. Oliver Wirth (PUMA), Mauritzio Barbieri (Twitter), Khalid Al Hashimi (UAE Pro Football League), Helen Soulsby (SRI), Carl Kirchhoff (SportFix), Dr. Olaf Kliesow (Allianz), Malcolm Thorpe (Lagardère), Allan Phang (AirAsia) and more.
The Esports Event of the Year (Asia) category will be primarily decided by us at Esports Insider, with public voting playing a part in the consideration process. You can visit this link for full details for this category, and message [email protected] if you would like your event to be considered.
Sessions during the conference element will include a keynote from Mr Allan Phang, who leads the esports push at AirAsia, as well as a panel discussing the opportunity for brands when it comes to esports in Asia specifically. This will include the likes of Terence Ting, Team Flash CEO, Ash Hashim, Founder at Futbolita and will be moderated by Sean Carr of Esports Insider.
The event is being held at Centara Grand.
Anyone interested in the event, or with any questions about the esports section can reach out via [email protected]. You can also find out more here.