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About

The Esports Australia Summit 2023 brings together leading experts from across the esports industry with this year’s focus placing a finger on the pulse of esports, examining esports in education and highlighting grassroots development from player’s perspectives.

This year the summit will be held within the PAX Australia program, Australia’s largest gaming convention and expo!

Join us and esteemed panellists this October 6th in Melbourne. The event is open to all ages and persons with PAX Australia tickets a must.

Summit Partners

PAX Australia

Indomie Australia

Date And Time

Friday, 6th October 2023

11:30 AM – 6:30 PM AEDT

Location

Dropbear Theatre

Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
1 Convention Centre Pl, South Wharf VIC 3006

This event is part of PAX Australia, tickets required.

Schedule

All times listed are in Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT).

11:30AM - Panel 1: The Pulse of Australian Esports

Synopsis:

PAX Australia listing here.

Esports Australia is thrilled to present an exclusive and enlightening panel at PAX Australia dedicated to the burgeoning esports industry Down Under. As competitive gaming continues to captivate the global stage, Australia’s unique contributions and challenges will be highlighted in a discussion led by some of the nation’s top esports professionals, organisers, and industry analysts.

Key Discussion Points will include the state of Australia’s current esports landscape, challenges verse triumphs, the global connection and how Australia fits into the global esports ecosystem, career opportunities and growth, regulations and ethics, and future outlook.

This panel is a must-attend for esports enthusiasts, aspiring professionals, industry stakeholders, and anyone interested in understanding the vibrant world of competitive gaming in Australia. Be part of this enriching conversation at PAX Australia and connect with the pulse of an industry that is redefining entertainment and sports.

Speakers:

  • Moderator: Garth Midgley, board member Esports Australia and Managing Director at GOATi Entertainment
  • Darren Kwan, founding president Esports Australia and director at Critical Hit Entertainment.
  • Lokesh Suji, Director at Esports Federation of India, Vice President at Asian Esports Federation
  • Brendan Lu, Tournament Operations & University League Commissioner at Australian Esports League and Freelance Esports Operations
  • Ben O’Connor, Managing Director at RL Oceania and Freelance Esports Broadcast Producer and Observer

2:30PM - Panel 2: Esports in Education: A New Frontier in Learning

Synopsis:

PAX Australia listing here.

Join us for an unprecedented exploration into the rapidly emerging domain of Esports within education and at schools across Australia. A diverse assembly of thought leaders, innovators, and educators will gather to dissect the dynamic intersection between competitive gaming and scholastic achievement.

The panel will explore key themes around the rise of esports in schools, understanding the benefits of esports for students, and the challenges and opportunities integrating Esports into traditional educational settings to maximize its positive impact.

This panel promises an engaging and interactive dialogue, opening up new perspectives on the utilisation of Esports in the educational landscape. Whether you are an educator, parent, gamer, or simply intrigued by the evolving world of learning, this session offers a comprehensive look into the potentials and realities of Esports in the classroom.

Join Esports Australia at PAX Australia for an inspiring look into a future where education and entertainment meet, nurturing the next generation of thinkers, innovators, and gamers.

Speakers:

  • Moderator: Darren Kwan, founding president Esports Australia and director at Critical Hit Entertainment.
  • Melissa Burns, Founder & CEO of ESPORT CANADA
  • Andrew Kinch, Founder of GameAware and Healthy Gaming Expert
  • Luke Dela Cruz, Education Technology Partner at Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
  • Brett Duncan, Yarra Valley Grammar
  • Joshua Slocombe, Melbourne High School

5:30PM - Panel 3: From Grassroots to Greatness: Players' Perspectives

Synopsis:

PAX Australia listing here.

Esports Australia is proud to host a remarkable panel at PAX Australia, offering an insider’s look at the Australian esports scene from the players themselves. This panel delves into the personal journeys that shape the narratives of players within the industry. Attendees will have a rare opportunity to engage with players, legends, and rising stars, each with unique insights into the world of competitive gaming in Australia.

Key Discussion Points include the grassroots movement, diversity and inclusion, player development and personal journeys.

This panel serves as a unique platform to humanise the faces behind the screens, unravelling the intricate fabric of the Australian esports community. Whether you’re an aspiring esports athlete, a gaming enthusiast, or just intrigued by the world of competitive gaming, this session offers an unparalleled perspective.

Join us at PAX Australia for this inspiring, informative, and interactive panel, and connect directly with the players who are shaping the present and future of Australian esports.

Speakers:

  • Moderator: Emma Witkowski, Board Member at Esports Australia and Senior Lecturer at RMIT University – Games, Esports & Digital Cultures
  • Morgan Medlyn, Rocket League Womens national team Australia Commonwealth Esports Championships Bronze Medalist and Manager at the Oceanic Women’s League
  • Hope, Counter-Strike Womens national team Australia representative
  • Riley Souter, Rocket League Team Manager at Swinburne Esports

Watch

The event is ticketed and we will not be able to stream the live sessions, however we will upload a recording to the Esports Australia YouTube channel.

In the meantime head over to our YouTube page and subscribe so you get notified when the uploads are ready! Your support is greatly appreciated.

Getting There!

The event is in South Melbourne at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre if you are setting up for PAX Australia!

Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre
1 Convention Centre Place
South Wharf 3006

Coming by tram?
Trams run every 6-12 minutes and stop outside the Melbourne Exhibition Centre:
• Tram lines 12, 96 and 109 travel along Clarendon Street from South Melbourne, Port Melbourne and St. Kilda and service the CBD via Collins and Bourke Streets.
• Tram line 70 runs along Flinders Street stopping on the north side of the Melbourne Convention Centre.

For all tram timetables view For all train timetables view ptv.vic.gov.au

Coming by train?
Southern Cross Station (Spencer Street) is just a short stroll from the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. Trains run every 15-20 minutes.

For all train timetables view ptv.vic.gov.au

Car parking at the Exhibition Centre
The venue is easily accessed by the City’s roadways and freeways. City Link connects the centre with the airport in just 20 minutes. The Melbourne Exhibition Centre car park is located under the venue and is accessed via Normanby Street.

MCEC provide ticketing discounts* for online bookings – click here for more info.

*Limited availability. Conditions apply.

Coming by taxi?
Taxi ranks are located at both the Melbourne Exhibition Centre and the Melbourne Convention Centre as well as all major hotels, Crown Entertainment Complex and Spencer and Flinders Street Stations.

Get in touch with us

The Australian Esports Association welcomes everyone to contact us.

Your input is valuable in helping to shape the future of the Australian esports industry.

Whether you are a player, fan or anyone else, we’d like to hear from you.

We want to know what you’d like to see from us and what can be done to grow esports in Australia.

Email: info@aesa.org.au


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