By Giulia Timarco, Conference Producer, Beacon Events
Trends constantly change and we have to accept the fact that we need to adjust to those changes in order to stay competitive. Diversification and innovation is a must to attract new customers and stay attractive to the so-called ‘millennials’. Some or most of you will probably roll your eyes now, and yes, I know that the ‘millennial’ topics and discussions have been on the table for years now. Still most of us are struggling and looking for answers.
Things change and the new and next generation of customers are looking for venues and experiences that are different from what brought excitement to their parents and grandparents. We are not even talking about the millennials anymore, but about Gen Z, the next generation of customers. So, it’s best to understand the millennials now, because the next generation is already here. The entertainment and leisure industry must learn, understand and most of all adapt to what they want.
These two groups are looking to prove their skills in gaming rather than just bet on their luck. Therefore, games of skill such as eSports and DFS (Daily Fantasy Sports) are rising in popularity and becoming a global phenomenon.
eSports tournaments are being held in casinos and hotels in the US, integrated with racing. These tournaments are streamed and broadcasted live, and in some cases, the size of the audience is overwhelming.
If you are still reading, you are probably asking yourself “How can I integrate this with my current offerings?”, “How do I actually capitalise on this?” and most of all “What is this all about?”
Some facts…
eSports is a competitive video game broadcasted to a live audience. While live events and tournaments have long been a part of video game culture, broadband livestreaming has radically widened the audience. Experts say that in 2020 this industry will be worth over AU$1.5 billion and the ‘sport’ is gaining one million new players every year.
This year’s Gaming, Racing & Wagering Australia (GRWA) conference will touch many different aspects of eSports such as regulation and integrity, eSports betting, and how to stage and market an eSports tournament. We want to raise awareness and start discussions surrounding the topic.
Join us on 14-16 August at Novotel Sydney, Darling Harbour. To register, call (03) 9008 5946, email info@beaconevents.com, or register online: https://gamingdownunder.com/.
I look forward to meeting you in August!