16 – The Esports Experience: Determining the Best Esports Programs to Strengthen Communities, Plus Real-World Examples of In-Person and Virtual Esports Programs
Scott Novis, Founder, Bravous Esports; Kendra Beaver, Recreation Coordinator, Excelsior Springs Parks and Recreation
Esports, or competitive video gaming, not only has grown to be an impressive billion-dollar industry, but is now also known as the "new social network" attracting multi-generational players and spectators alike. For parks and recreational professionals, this means Esports can have tremendous impacts on equity and health and wellness within communities. The opportunities to bring esports experiences to the population at-large are endless. From recreational esports programs, to STEM learning and instructional classes, understanding all the possibilities to bring inclusive and innovative esports experiences to communities will be the focus at this interactive lecture. We will provide field-tested and proven concepts from real-life case studies of esports experiences we've activated over the past year. In addition, we will share best practices and guidelines to determine the best approach to launching the best esports program for your community.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- Assess your own readiness and current capabilities to launch esports programs in their community.
- Design effective Esports programming that optimizes social inclusion and maximizes innovative learning for all.