THE FUTURE OF FANDOM

His Royal Highness Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud is the Chairman of the Saudi Esports Federation (SEF) and Arab Esports Federation, positions he has held since their establishment in 2017. He is also the president of the International Esports Federation, and the Vice Chairman of Savvy Games Group since its establishment.

Under his leadership, the federation quickly grew the range of its activities to become the leading Saudi entity in charge of growing the National Gaming and Esports Strategy. Initially, the federation focused on providing gamers with platforms to become athletes. Now, SEF lives at the center of the Saudi esports ecosystem, to open doors and enable all that want to grow it.

His vision for the federation is to create an impact that generates a ripple effect, evolving sectors and services that were traditionally thought to be unrelated to esports.

As a result, today the Saudi Esports Federation is seen as the subject matter expert in gaming and esports that is coordinating government action, guiding investors, and providing gamers with platforms to compete and socialize in Saudi Arabia.

HRH Prince Faisal is a believer in the power of esports and aims to show the world how it can be a force for good. In 2020, he led the federation in designing the first-ever partnerships between UN-humanitarian aid organizations and a gaming event, Gamers Without Borders, which became the world’s largest gaming esports charitable event.

Andrew Chen is a General Partner for A16Z GAMES, focused on the intersection of tech and gaming — this includes AI, studios, infrastructure, and consumer apps.

Andrew is a prolific writer and for the past decade, he’s written hundreds of essays at andrewchen.com on the topics of startups and user growth. He is the author of the best-selling business book THE COLD START PROBLEM, published by Harper Business, which explores how new startups launch and scale by leveraging network effects. Prior to joining a16z, Andrew led the Rider Growth teams at Uber, and worked at a number of venture-backed startups.

Andrew holds a B.S. in Applied Mathematics from the University of Washington.

Joe Marsh is the CEO of T1 Entertainment & Sports, where he has driven the organization to new heights. Under his leadership, T1’s League of Legends team won the 2023 World Championship and the inaugural League of Legends Championship at the Esports World Cup. Recognized twice by Forbes as one of the Top 10 most valuable esports companies globally, T1 continues to lead the industry. Marsh has spearheaded initiatives like the T1 Base Camp, T1 Cafe & Arena, and the T1 Esports Academy, significantly shaping the esports landscape in South Korea and beyond. T1 operates 8 teams across 6 major games and collaborates with renowned brands including Nike, Mercedes Benz, Samsung, Red Bull, and Ralph Lauren. With over 19 years in sports and entertainment, Marsh’s journey from intern to executive highlights his dedication and influence in the industry. He holds a Marketing degree from Millersville University and an MBA in Finance, Analytics, and Strategic Management from Villanova University.

Sir Leonard Blavatnik is among the world's most accomplished businessmen and prominent philanthropists. A dual US-UK citizen, he is the founder of Access Industries, a privately held investment firm with a $35 billion portfolio, which includes industrial giants LyondellBasell and Calpine. In 2016, Sir Leonard launched DAZN, now the world’s leading sports entertainment platform offering live and on-demand events, gaming, ticketing and e-commerce in more than 200 markets. He is also overseeing the digital transformation of the music industry as the majority shareholder of Warner Music Group and one of the first investors in Spotify. In 2017, he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for his service to philanthropy and was appointed Chevalier of the French Legion d’Honneur for his support of education in 2013. Born in Odesa, Ukraine, Sir Leonard emigrated to the US in 1978. He earned his MS from Columbia University in 1981 and his MBA from Harvard Business School in 1989.

Lisa Hanson is President and CEO of Niko Partners, a premier market research and consulting firm providing local research with global perspective on the Asia and MENA games market and their consumers. Lisa founded Niko Partners in 2002 and has since honed her expertise on the Chinese and Southeast Asian, East Asian, South Asian and MENA games industry that has benefitted Niko’s clients: Companies that are global leaders in game development & publishing, game services, hardware, investments, and global governments. Lisa appears regularly in the media such as The New York Times, Business Week, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, Dow Jones, Reuters, BBC, Bloomberg, Financial Times, VentureBeat, PocketGamer, GamesIndustry, Channel News Asia, and more. She is based in the US but travels to Asia and the Middle East regularly to give presentations at industry events and engage with companies and gamers.

Magnus Carlsen, born on 30th of November 1990, in Tonsberg, Norway, is a chess prodigy and the highest-rated player in history. Achieving Grandmaster status at just 13, Carlsen became the World Chess Champion in 2013 and successfully defended his title until 2021, when he chose not to compete further for the classical title. He has dominated the world of chess for more than a decade, being ranked number 1 since 2010, and has won multiple World Championships across all disciplines, including classical, rapid, and blitz chess.

Carlsen’s innovative approach and unparalleled strategic thinking have revolutionized the game. In recent years, Carlsen has significantly impacted the online chess scene, dominating online tournaments and engaging a global audience through digital platforms. His involvement in events like the Meltwater Champions Chess Tour has brought competitive chess to new heights in the digital age.

Magnus Carlsen is more than a champion; he is chess’ only true superstar. Time Magazine has recognized him as one of the world’s 100 most influential people. His participation in this conference underscores his commitment to the evolution of chess as an esports, highlighting his vision for the future of the game. Carlsen’s engagement in promoting chess education worldwide and his presence at the conference make him an inspiring figure for both aspiring players and seasoned enthusiasts.

Maya Rogers is CEO of Tetris, where she leads all worldwide business initiatives of the Tetris brand, one of the leading and most distinctive video game brands and franchises in the world with a history that spans 40 years. This includes game development, global licensing, marketing, brand management, merchandising, and IP enforcement.

Under Maya’s leadership, Tetris remains one of the most beloved games by fans worldwide with the introduction of top ranked licensee titles including Tetris 99, Tetris Effect: Connected, the Puyo Puyo Tetris series and more. She has also led the expansion of Tetris as a lifestyle brand, which today has more than 90 licensees and promotional partners globally, who now offer innovative Tetris-branded games, consumer products and experiences, including apparel, toys, décor, novelties and more.

Prior to heading Tetris, Maya steered cross-culturalization and development efforts for Tetris Online China, Sony Computer Entertainment America and American Honda. Maya is also a Founding Partner of Blue Startups, Hawaiʻi’s first venture accelerator, which helps early stage startups accelerate their businesses with investments and mentoring. Since 2014, Blue Startups has invested in over 110 companies, attracting over $500 million in follow-on funding. Blue Startups is currently ranked Top 20 accelerator in the U.S.

Maya currently serves on the boards of the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center, American Red Cross Hawaiʻi Chapter, Women’s Fund of Hawaiʻi and the Chamber of Commerce Hawaiʻi. She is also a national council member of the Tiffany Circle, a Red Cross women’s philanthropist organization, and member of the U.S.-Japan council, an educational organization that contributes to strengthening U.S. Japan relations.

Maya holds a BS in Business Administration from Pepperdine University and an Executive MBA from Pepperdine Graziadio School of Business and Management.

R.J. Cutler is an award-winning documentary filmmaker who has directed such films as A Perfect Candidate, The September Issue, BELUSHI, Billie Eilish: The World’s A Little Blurry, and the upcoming Martha and Elton John: Never Too Late. He has produced such films as The War Room, Thin, Listen to Me Marlon and The Disappearance of Shere Hite. Cutler is the founder of This Machine Filmworks, an LA-based production company specializing in the development and production of premium documentary content. This Machine is a part of Sony Non-Fiction Television. Cutler’s work has been nominated for an Academy Award and he is the recipient of three Emmys, two Peabody Awards, two Cinema Eye Awards and two Television Academy Honor awards, among others. In 2021, R.J. received the Critic’s Choice Pennebaker Award for Lifetime Achievement in Documentary Film. R.J. lives in Los Angeles with his wife Jane Cha Cutler, their children Maddie, Max and Penny and their dog Dexter.

Ralf grew up as a native gamer with a passion for competition in the physical world as much as the digital. In the late 90s, he founded SK Gaming with his brothers, Tim and Benjamin, as one of the first esports clubs, and competed at the highest level - which subsequently made him fall in love with the industry. Excited to build this industry, Ralf and his team co-founded ESL, and embarked on the quest to build the largest stages for the new sport that turn athletes into stars worldwide. What was intended to be a quick win evolved into a lifelong journey. ESL has since become the largest esports brand, and company culminating in a billion-dollar transaction in 2022 to form ESL Faceit Group - EFG. Ralf has served as Chairman at EFG, on the mission to create worlds beyond gameplay, where esports and gaming collide. In October 2023, Ralf took on the role of CEO at the Esports World Cup Foundation with a mandate to elevate esports to one of the world's premier sports, while expanding the Foundation as a driving force in its development.

Songyee Yoon is a visionary leader, and investor and author in the AI and gaming industry, with over 20 years of experience in developing and executing innovative strategies for global online game companies. After graduating from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Songyee went on to earn her Ph.D. from MIT in Computational Neuroscience. Her strong belief in the concept of “play” as a crucible for innovation eventually led her to NCSOFT, a leading global video game developer and publisher, where she served as president and chief strategy officer. In this role, she led the AI transformation of the company, applying AI for game development and various aspects of business operations. She also oversaw the company's growth from a 350- person company to a global organization across seven countries in Asia, Europe, and North America, driving strategic initiatives in monetization, marketing, branding, business development, licensing, ESG, and education. Songyee brings a unique lens to bridging countries’ approaches to technology and ethics and is an involved figure in the international business community. While a member of South Korea’s Presidential Advisory Council for Science and Technology, Songyee served under two presidents. She is a member of the MIT Corporation and served as an advisory board member of the Center for Asia Pacific Policy, where she continued to explore social impacts of AI, equity and ethical sides of technology. She also serves on the board of trustees for the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and the Asian Art Museum. She was named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum, elected member of the National Academy of Engineering of Korea, and one of the 50 Women to Watch in Business by the Wall Street Journal. Songyee’s latest book, Push Play, explores the significance of play on innovation, drawing lessons from games, medicine, human resources and other industries.

Toshimoto Mitomo joined Sony Group Corporation (former Sony Corporation) in 1985 and currently its Executive Deputy President and CSO in charge of Intellectual Property, Business & Technology Strategy, Business Development, Business Incubation Platform and Mobility Business. In these roles, Mitomo is responsible for mid-to-long term business development for the future growth of Sony and Sony’s global IP strategies, technology standardization activities. In addition, Mitomo heads Sony Innovation Fund which is Sony’s corporate venture capital as Senior Investment Executive.

Anna Rozwandowicz is the Founder and CEO of The Story Mob, a leading international consultancy for gaming culture, immersive entertainment and esports. In her role, she advises global sports and entertainment brands, publishers, esports Clubs and their athletes on impactful, authentic communications with gaming fans. Prior to founding the agency in 2018, Anna served as VP of Communications at EFG. There, she led worldwide communications efforts for major tournaments and secured unprecedented mainstream media coverage for the world's fastest-growing sport. With offices in Los Angeles and London, The Story Mob has worked with over 100 global gaming, sports, and entertainment brands. Anna is also an advisor for the Cybersmile Foundation, a mentor for esports startups at leAD Sports, and a speaker on gaming culture and communications.

Brian is the CEO of Savvy Games Group, a Riyadh-based games and esports company with a mission to lead investment and long-term growth of the industry. Under his leadership, in just over two years Savvy has become the world’s largest esports company and tenth-largest games publisher, with 3,800 employees in 22 countries, including several award-winning teams and intellectual properties.

Brian has nearly 30 years of studio and operations experience, including senior positions at Electronic Arts, Microsoft, and Activision Blizzard. While leading worldwide studios at Activision, he managed all development and more than a dozen studio acquisitions – tripling capacity, quadrupling revenue, and posting industry-leading margins. Games he helped lead have won more than 300 Game of The Year and 1,400 Editor’s Choice and Outstanding Achievement awards, and include six #1 entertainment franchises, with lifetime revenues of more than $35 billion.

Jann’s journey from virtual racing to motorsport excellence exemplifies determination and innovation. His career began in the digital world of Gran Turismo, where his exceptional talent caught the attention of scouts, leading to a historic victory at the 2011 GT Academy and a place on the Nissan racing team.

Jann’s achievements include competing in the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the GT500 class in Japan, constantly pushing the limits of what is possible, and aiming now for the Hypercar Class. He is also a pioneering figure in motorsport technology, contributing to the Nissan Formula E Team as a development driver.

As a speaker, Jann offers valuable insights into virtual and real-world racing, technological evolution in motorsport, and perseverance.

Jens Hilgers is a serial entrepreneur based in Berlin (Germany) widely known for his work and contributions in the Esports and Gaming industry. Jens was the Founding CEO of ESL, is a Co-Founder and Chairman of world-renowned Esports team G2 Esports as well as Co-Founder and former CEO of esports data company BAYES Esports.

In 2016 Jens founded BITKRAFT Ventures, which he grew to become a globally leading Investment Platform focused on Gaming and Interactive Entertainment with currently more than 900M US$ in assets under management.

Mathilde is Co-Founder & Chief Creative Officer of Roboto Games, her second games company. In her role, she oversees company strategy as well as the design and art of their next title, Stormforge. Mathilde is originally from France but moved to the US as a teenager. She holds a Bachelors in Computer Science and Psychology and a Masters in UX Design from Carnegie Mellon University. After graduating, she started her first company, ZipZapPlay, where she made games played by millions of people. After the acquisition of the company by PopCap Games, she co-ran the PopCap San Francisco studio for Electronic Arts. More than anything, Mathilde loves making games, the perfect intersection of technology, art, and design.

Nate Morley is the founder of Works Collective, the agency behind the brand identities for the Esports World Cup, FIFA World Cup 2026, FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games and many more. Nate’s career has been built on developing and amplifying brands that impact culture. While working as the CMO at DC Shoes, Nate helped create the Gymkhana series of YouTube films that have amassed over a billion views. His experience also includes working at Nike in Global Brand Marketing, as the CMO at Skullcandy and as Advisory Board member of the YouTube juggernaut, Donut Media. As an agency partner, Nate has created strategy, campaigns and content for major brands like Samsung, Spotify, Target, ESPN, Activision, Fender Guitars, Robinhood, Gillette and many more. His strategic and creative expertise is broad, diverse and has solidified him as a leader in shaping cultural narratives and defining market success.

Nicola Mizon holds a BA (Hons) in Computer Games Design from University Campus Suffolk. Throughout her career, Nicola has collaborated with renowned names like FC Bayern Munich, Agatha Christie, Luc Besson on the Valerian game, and Atari co-founder Nolan Bushnell.

Nicola co-founded Vizta DGTL, a Berlin-based game studio aiming to revolutionise the intersection of gaming, fashion, and commerce. Their flagship product, Kutur Runway, seeks to create the largest digital fashion social platform driven by gaming, merging creativity, community, and technology. This platform addresses systemic industry issues, promoting inclusivity and aligning with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030.

A respected keynote speaker, Nicola shares her expertise on digital transformation and accessibility. She is enthusiastic about Vizta DGTL's expansion into the Middle East, eager to collaborate with local talents, and promote cultural heritage through innovative digital games, web3 elements, and virtual environments.

Faisal is responsible for leading and growing the Esports World Cup initiative, with special attention paid to its surrounding onsite festival experience. Prior to his appointment at the EWCF, Bin Homran was the Chief Esports Officer at the Saudi Esports Federation (SEF), where he played a prominent role in the federation’s efforts to consolidate the Kingdom’s position as the leading regional esports and gaming hub. Bin Homran supported the National Gaming and Esports Strategy and the national gamers community by overseeing Saudi esports clubs’ development, overcoming industry challenges, creating new tournaments, identifying new opportunities in an expanding marketplace, and nurturing up-and-coming talent in line with SEF’s mission and vision. He oversaw the operations of Gamers Without Borders, the biggest esports charity event worldwide, and the Saudi eLeague, which he considers to be his most memorable career milestone to date.

A sporadic gamer with an enduring passion for the wider gaming world, Bin Homran entered the professional gamers ranks in 2009 when pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Information Systems Engineering from King Fahad University of Petroleum and Minerals. He put his esports career on hold to obtain a Master’s Degree in Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Business Development from the University of Westminster, UK. Prior to joining SEF in 2021, Bin Homran gained over 10 years of experience in business development, tournament organization, e-games halls and website development, e-club management, and e-game applications.

Gabriel "FalleN" Toledo is a distinguished Brazilian esports athlete renowned for his contributions to the Counter-Strike scene. With over 20 years of experience, FalleN has established himself as a key figure in the competitive field. Celebrated for his exceptional skills as an AWPer and in-game leader, he has significantly impacted the scene with his strategic genius and innovative gameplay. FalleN gained prominence with teams like Luminosity Gaming and SK Gaming, leading them to major victories, including the ESL One Cologne 2016 and MLG Columbus 2016. Currently, he plays for FURIA Esports, continuing to excel and influence the game. In addition to his esports career, FalleN has a business called FalleN Company, reflecting his broad impact beyond gaming. His legacy is marked by his dedication to excellence, leadership, and his pivotal role in the evolution of esports.

Joe Pompliano is one of the fastest-growing personalities in the sports business. He left a career at J.P. Morgan in 2020 to start creating sports business content full-time, and he has quickly become a go-to resource for industry executives, professional athletes, and casual fans.

Joe’s content business did over 2 billion impressions last year, and his newsletter is read by more than 125,000 people in 185 countries. Joe’s work has been featured in ESPN, Bloomberg, FOX Sports, and CNBC, and he spends a considerable amount of time identifying and supporting great founders through early-stage investment opportunities, including companies like Reddit, Replit, Underdog Fantasy, and the Premier Lacrosse League.

Joe also hosts a popular podcast, "The Joe Pomp Show,” where he interviews athletes and executives about their life, career, business, and investments. Past guests have included Dana White, Lance Armstrong, Gary Vaynerchuk, Marc Lore, Francis Ngannou, Troy Aikman, and Alex Rodriguez.

MJ Acosta-Ruiz is a television host and sportscaster, currently featured as the anchor of ESPN's Sportscenter and as a sideline reporter for ESPN Deportes' Monday Night Football.

The Emmy Award winning journalist became the first woman of color to host a show at NFL Media. Fully bilingual in English and Spanish, you can find her working internationally to reach the diverse and growing landscape outside of the U.S.

With nearly 15 years in the TV & Entertainment industry, she continues her work as an advocate for representation and equality. MJ works closely with women’s empowerment groups such as A Seat at the Table and is dedicated to amplifying the voices of marginalized communities.

Nick Brown is a founding partner and executive producer at Good Boy Creative, an LA-Based creative studio focused on live-action film production in the gaming and esports space. Good Boy develops and produces commercials, teasers, and documentaries for the biggest game publishers in the world including Riot Games, Epic Games, and Ubisoft. He has won 2 sports Emmys for his work with Riot Games League of Legends World Championship.

In his position as executive producer, Nick oversees creative development and all live-action production activities. He has extensive experience working internationally having produced multiple campaigns in the USA, China, Korea, Japan, Singapore, Germany, Denmark, Spain, England, Iceland, Turkey, Mexico, and Brazil.

Prior to founding Good Boy, Nick worked in creative development and production for the Walt Disney Company, producing award winning digital & branded content campaigns.

OJ Borg has spent the last decade immersed in esports both in front, and behind the microphone working on the biggest esports events around the globe.

He also is a renowned broadcaster in the UK presenting entertainment shows on Radio & TV for the BBC as well as across a multitude of sports from the UFC to the Tour de France.

As a director and executive producer within his own production company STNDRD FILMS, he has made high-end conceptual films and documentaries that bridge the gap between esports & mainstream broadcasters.

Shuji Utsumi has been in the Games and Entertainment industry for over 35 years. After leading the “PlayStation” project at Sony, he was invited by a Sony rival company, SEGA, to serve as a development head for the “Dreamcast” project. After launching the console, he led creative and business teams as an executive at companies such as Disney Interactive Asia and Warner Music Japan. He also founded his own company, Q Entertainment, where he produced the legendary games Lumines and Child of Eden. In 2020, he returned to SEGA as a CSO and played a key role in SEGA's revival through the transmedia strategy of Sonic the Hedgehog, and in April 2024 he was appointed President & COO of SEGA. He has a unique background, combining both management and content development experience from a global perspective. The major titles that he was directly involved in and that represent his career include Crash Bandicoot, Kingdom Hearts, and many others.

Steven “LiQuiD112” Arhancet is a trailblazer in the esports industry, blending over a decade of business finance expertise with professional gaming to build Team Liquid, a global esports powerhouse. As Co-CEO, he oversees 300+ employees and 100 elite athletes across four international facilities. Under his leadership, Team Liquid has secured major victories, including The International Dota 2 Championship, five League of Legends Championship Series titles, and the Grand Slam in Counter-Strike. His influence spans Forbes, Business Insider, and Netflix, driving esports into a $1.5 billion industry.

Arnold Hur is CEO of Gen.G, a global esports organization. Based in Los Angeles, Seoul, and Shanghai, Gen.G owns and operates top esports teams globally as well as innovative gaming programs, including the Gen.G Global Academy and the NetWORK, a platform for the empowerment of women in gaming. Before joining Gen.G, Arnold was President of Memebox, one of Korea’s most successful startup companies, where he helped grow the company from Series A to Series C, raising over $160M. Prior to Memebox, he worked on product and strategy at Google, management consulting at Boston Consulting Group, and investment banking with Goldman Sachs.

Bilal Fares is a self-motivated leader with over 20 years of experience in retail, business, and organisational management, committed to delivering results and fostering people development. Since 2018, he has been working at Adidas, holding various roles, and contributing significantly to the company's growth at a regional and global level. His leadership approach centres on aligning the customer and the organisation's vision, ensuring every objective is met with dedication. Throughout his career, Bilal has excelled in designing and implementing comprehensive end-to-end strategies that achieve sustainable success. His extensive experience spans leading large teams across various functions and geographies, providing him with a deep understanding of product management, marketing, people development, customer service, technology, and service delivery.

During his career, Bruce Stein has held ‘C’ suite positions in both startup and public consumer products, tech based, and IP commercialization companies. He currently serves as an advisor to Juno Partners and consumer-tech based clients such as Embodied AI Robotics.

Most recently, Bruce was CEO/Co-Founder of aXiomatic, an esports/video gaming investment platform. He set the strategy for aXiomatic from its beginning in 2015 with the Team Liquid investment through all their investments into Epic Games, Dapper Labs, Niantic Games, and others.

Stein’s earlier experience includes: COO/Worldwide President/BOD Mattel, CEO Sony Interactive Entertainment (PlayStation), President/CEO Kenner Products (Hasbro), CEO Mandalay Media, CEO/Chairman Radical Communication and Founder/CEO of The Hatchery. Stein has been a strategic advisor to PE/VC, media and internet companies including Dreamworks SKG, Warner Bros., KPCB and Guggenheim Capital.

Stein was a Board Member of ViewSonic, a YPO alum, member of the Mayor’s Esports/Gaming Council for Los Angeles, and the Steering Committee of China Americas Sports and Health Association. Stein received a B.A. from Pitzer College and an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago Booth Graduate School of Business.

ESL FACEIT Group (EFG) is the leading competitive games and esports company. Craig helped architect the merger of ESL Gaming and FACEIT in 2022 and prior served as the co-CEO of ESL Gaming where he led global business strategy and operations.

As a lifelong gamer, Craig has helped pioneer the esports industry for over 20 years – first as a player, then team owner, and has become a dynamic esports executive.

Levine holds a B.S. in Information Systems and Management and Organizational Behavior from the Stern Business School at New York University.

With over 20 years of experience building teams and leading game development, Dan Bunting is a seasoned creative and operational leader in the games industry. Starting at development studio Treyarch in 2003, Bunting established a reputation as a problem-solver, team motivator and innovator that defined his career path throughout the years. His work on the Call of Duty: Black Ops series led to it becoming one of the most successful franchises in video game history, including several titles in the top 50 games sold of all time. In the burgeoning field of ESports in the early 2010s, the Black Ops series paved the way for the Call of Duty franchise, eventually helping build competitive ESports into a global phenomenon. Bunting currently works as a start-up investor and advisor in the independent games ecosystem, guiding the next generation of creators shaping the future of gaming.

Eric Shanks is Chief Executive Officer and Executive Producer of FOX Sports. Shanks oversees all entities within FOX Sports, FS1, FS2; FOX Soccer Plus; FOX Deportes; FOX College Sports and FOX Sports Digital.

An accomplished inventor, producer and executive, Shanks has worked his way up from a Broadcast Associate to CEO and Executive Producer. Named to the position in June 2010, he is believed to be the youngest executive to ever lead a broadcast network sports division.

Named Sports Business Journal’s 2023 Sports Executive of the Year, Shanks is a winner of more than 20 Sports Emmy Awards and holder of 11 U.S. patents.

Shanks served as Executive Vice President for DIRECTV from 2004 to 2010, where he invented the NFL RedZone Channel.

In 2001, Shanks created Sky Italia’s sports networks for NewsCorp. He created Sky Sports 1 and 2 and oversaw the acquisition of Serie A rights and was the executive producer there during its inaugural launch season.

Shanks also served on production crews for FOX Sports’ coverage of the NHL and MLB. Shanks helped develop the yellow first-down line and the FOXTrax “glowing puck.”

Fabian Scheuermann serves as the Chief Games Officer for the Esports World Cup Foundation, overseeing the management of all game titles and the relationship with the respective publishers featured in the competition. These include the biggest publishers and titles in esports. Before this role, he contributed to the continued success of ESL FACEIT Group, where he led global publisher partnerships and managed their core game portfolio for six and a half years. With over a decade of experience in the gaming and content industry, Fabian has consistently empowered publishers and partners worldwide. Before embarking on his career in gaming and esports, Fabian studied in the Netherlands, Australia, and Germany, earning an MBA before spending four years in consulting and M&A to kick off his career. In his free time, Fabian can be found competing in various sports, on his Peloton bike, or at home on the virtual battlegrounds of FPS and mobile MOBA titles.

Ghada AlHudaithi is a driven individual with a passion for the gaming industry. This passion for gaming evolved over time, shaping her interests and sparking her entrepreneurial ambitions. Ghada recognized the potential for video games to engage and entertain audiences, and she became driven to turn this lifelong hobby into a professional pursuit. Holding a Master's degree in Business Administration specialized in Finance from Prince Sultan University, she has extensive experience in entrepreneurship, business development, and strategic management. As the Co-Founder of Table Knight Games, she has contributed to the company's expansion, with mobile game applications reaching top local and regional charts on the App Store and Google Play. Specializing in developing social games for mobile platforms, she has demonstrated her entrepreneurial spirit and technical proficiency. Motivated by innovation and impact, she is eager to take on new challenges and make a meaningful contribution to Saudi Arabia’s gaming ecosystem.

Dr. Heba Mohammed Atyah, CEO and Founder of GameIT, has transitioned from a distinguished medical career in speech pathology and developmental disabilities to become a pioneering entrepreneur in the world of serious games. With more than 10 years of clinical experience in King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center working with children, she has successfully, also, led major initiatives across the USA, UAE, and KSA, fostering public-private partnerships and community empowerment projects. Dr. Atyah continues to drive transformative change by using clinical science with innovative gaming and AI technology, revolutionizing how children learn and thrive in the digital age. Her work has garnered multiple awards and recognition, including the Leap Aviatrix Award for the most innovative startup pioneered by women in 2022, the Best Female Founder Award by MCIT Saudi Arabia in 2023, and lately in 2024 winning Microsoft Power Women Awards for the Middle East.

Khaled is a digital artist who specializes in pixel art. He uses a drawing tablet, a stylus and a mouse to create atmospheric digital paintings that explore the relationship between emotions and space. He focuses on how the place feels like and draws imaginary places based on real ones, blending reality and imagination in his art and inviting the viewers to experience his vision. He is inspired by the modern and contemporary world and its diverse landscapes. He challenges himself to express his ideas and feelings with a limited and compact medium of pixel art, using colors, shapes and patterns to create detailed scenes that capture the essence of his imagination.

Michal “Carmac” Blicharz is an award-winning esports industry veteran of over 20 years. Having transitioned from competitive judo to electronic sports, he was a competitive gamer, journalist, and tournament organizer. He is also responsible for building tournament infrastructure for esports professionals worldwide. Currently, he is VP of Special Projects at ESL FACEIT GROUP.

He was Esports Journalist of the Year in 2009 and 2010, was inducted into Esports Insider’s Hall of Fame in 2019 and received a lifetime achievement award from The Esports Awards in 2021. He is credited with turning the Intel Extreme Masters tournament series into one of the most valuable and prestigious properties in the world, taking its tournaments from trade shows into arenas in Europe, North and South America, Australia and Asia and setting landmark achievements.

He is the father of the world’s oldest recurring arena event, Intel Extreme Masters Katowice which he started in 2013.

​​Peter Hutton is Director of the Saudi Pro League and Chairman of the league’s media committee. He recently chaired the organising committee of the T20 Cricket World Cup and also sits on the board of the professional triathlon organisation and the rugby league. He also advises a series of tech companies, building on his previous experience as Head of Worldwide Sports Partnerships at Meta.

Originally a sports commentator and presenter, Hutton rose to become CEO of the biggest TV sports channels in Europe, Asia and the Indian sub-continent (Eurosport, ESPN-Star Sports, Ten Sports). He also ran sports agency businesses including a spell as Co-CEO of MP and Silva, and over a decade at IMG.

He is currently based in Silicon Valley, California after previously working in Paris, London, Moscow, Dubai, Singapore, Hong Kong and Delhi.

​From an early age, Reem AlKanhal knew her life would be forever linked with fashion, her instincts for fabric, form and a deep sense of how to connect her culture and the modern world have driven many of her collections which are never defined by season or trend, but mood and relevance.

Born and raised in Saudi Arabia, she began experimenting with fashion as a student. Simple, stylish tops and skirts that women could wear in many ways formed part of her design philosophy which combines clean lines with drape curves, clean structures with the possibilities of freedom of individuality.

Reem then took on a course at the “Art & Skills Institute” in Riyadh, where her knowledge of garment making developed. In 2010, one year after graduating, Reem founded her eponymous label – Reem AlKanhal, a modular ready-to-wear collection of clothes and accessories, with an unmistakable take to form, colour and aesthetic.

Ricardo Fort is one of the most respected names in the global sponsorship business. As the only executive to lead the Global Sponsorship Departments of two FIFA and IOC sponsors – Visa and Coca-Cola – he successfully negotiated billions of dollars in sponsorship contracts with the International Olympic Committee, FIFA, UEFA, athletes, the NFL, Formula 1 and Formula 1 teams, and many other worldwide sports and entertainment properties. In 2021, he launched Sport by Fort Consulting, a company that helps sponsors, leagues, investors, and athletes successfully invest in sports. Among his current and former clients are leading global companies such as HP, McDonald’s, Salesforce, AB-InBev, and many more. Ricardo is also an advisor to multiple sports-tech startups, Federations, athletes, and clubs. Born and raised in Brazil, Ricardo holds a triple citizenship (USA, Italy and Brazil), has lived and worked in the USA, India, France and Brazil. He is currently based in Portugal.

Sam Mathews is the visionary founder and CEO of Fnatic, the world's leading esports team organization. With a passion for competitive gaming, Mathews established Fnatic in 2004, transforming it into a powerhouse within the esports industry, and driving youth culture. Under his leadership, Fnatic is widely regarded as the most successful esports organisation in the world with numerous championships across various games, including League of Legends, Valorant, Counter-Strike, and many more. Mathews' innovative approach has driven the team's success but also helped to shape the global esports landscape. Known for his strategic thinking and dedication, he has expanded Fnatic's influence through partnerships with the likes of Gucci, a thriving product portfolio supported by Sony, and state-of-the-art training facilities globally. Beyond esports, Mathews is a prominent advocate for the gaming community, striving to elevate esports to mainstream recognition.

Stefy Bau is a serial entrepreneur, a passionate speaker, a three-time motocross world champion, and Founder & CEO of Init Esports and Init Sports. With over 30 years in motorsports, e-mobility, and esports, she has pioneered global initiatives, promoting women's empowerment in sports and gaming. Stefy's Init Esports bridges the motorsports gap through sim racing, providing global access to motorsport experiences. Events like Race Me and Screen to Speed foster diversity and offer pathways to participation for women into real-world racing. The Sim 4 STEM program engages female students in motorsports-related STEM activities. Init Esports also creates a pathway via esports for the motorcycle world, Stefy’s first passion.

Stefy was the first woman to race professionally with men in motocross history. After a career-ending injury, she managed the Women's World Motocross Championship and has been involved in motorsports her entire life. Inducted into the Motocross Legends in Stone in 2023, she serves on boards like WiST and GEF, advocating for women and minorities. Her core message is: "Be you and take the leap!"

Tim Morten is the CEO and Co-Founder of Frost Giant Studios. He was previously the Production Director of StarCraft II, and he's excited to now be working on a new real-time strategy game called Stormgate. Tim got his start in the game industry in 1994 at Activision, and subsequently helped lead development teams at Electronic Arts and Blizzard.

Yannick Theler brings 20 years of Ubisoft experience to Savvy Group, where he is CEO of Steer Studios – a Riyadh-based game development company on a mission to create groundbreaking experiences for players in Saudi Arabia and globally.

Yannick began his career in the video game industry in Ubisoft's Swiss business office, working as Marketing & Sales Director for over 4 years. He was then appointed VP Business Development for Ubisoft’s business activities in Asia, based out of Shanghai, China.

Following this, Yannick was appointed Executive Director at Ubisoft Shanghai where he oversaw the development of many AAA games before taking the challenge of founding the Ubisoft Abu Dhabi studio twelve years ago.

Previously, Yannick worked in Wealth Management at UBS, and was a professional ice hockey player competing in the Swiss National Hockey League for seven seasons.

He is married and has a 10-year-old son.

His Excellency Engineer Abdullah Alswaha has over two decades of experience in leadership, innovation and entrepreneurship. Throughout his decade-long career, he built multi-billion riyal, high-performing organizations in the private and public sector. HE chairs the Communications, Space and Technology Commission, the Saudi Space Agency, the Research Development and Innovation Authority, the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST). HE is a member of several ministerial level social and economic committees, and sits on the boards of the MISK Foundation, NEOM and King Saud University. HE holds bachelor’s degrees in electrical engineering from the King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) and computer science from the University of Washington, and has attended the Executive Education Program at Harvard Business School.

Andrzej Antoszkiewicz is the CEO & Managing Partner of OrdoStrategica, where he focuses on the future of sports and esports events. His portfolio career includes numerous international leadership functions, including FIFA, OECD, and NATO.

At FIFA, as Global Head of Strategy, Planning, Innovation & Business Solutions, Andrzej had a profound impact on how FIFA planned and delivered World Cups. During his tenure, FIFA transformed its FWC operating model, reformed its host selection and bidding processes, revolutionised tournament innovation and implemented integrated planning.

Andrzej also led the overall planning and coordination of two NATO Summits. In 2015, he was appointed as Principal NATO Summit Advisor to the Government of Poland, for which he was made Knight of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland.

Holding an MBA from the University of Oxford, in 2022 Andrzej was recognized as one of the Global Top 100 Best and Brightest by Poets&Quants Magazine.

Becca Henry is a communications and brand builder with a career of over 13 years in esports and gaming. A passionate expert in esports entertainment, she currently leads global communications and brand for G2 Esports, the most entertaining and innovative organization in esports, crafting strategies that authentically connect with G2’s audience, and enhance G2’s power of storytelling and unique tone of voice.

Prior to G2, Becca was the VP of Communications for Misfits Gaming Group, where she leveraged her skills to strengthen and grow the brand identity of MGG, and increase awareness, visibility, and brand affinity across MGG’s growing list of properties.

Before Misfits, Becca led European Esports Communications for Riot Games - from the inaugural year of the EU LCS, focusing on raising awareness of a sport in its infancy, all the way to the brand campaign that launched the LEC.

As a co-founder of VSPO, Danny has served as its CFO since inception in 2016 and has led various departments within the business. Ms. Tang previously served as a senior associate and then a vice president at China Development Bank Capital from 2010 to 2014. Prior to that, she served as an investment analyst at Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. from 2007 to 2010.

Ms. Tang received her bachelor’s degree in economics and mathematics with honors from Bryn Mawr College and her master’s degree of science in management from Stanford University.

She is passionate about the long-term future of the esports industry, and was recognized as one of the Top 100 Asian-Pacific Women-Powered Leaders by J.P.Morgan and Ernst & Young in 2022.

Jê spearheads the gaming initiatives of The Walt Disney Company in Asia Pacific, Middle East & North Africa. He is focused on delivering high-quality gaming experiences across franchises that bring fans closer to their favourite stories and characters on digital platforms. He has over 20 years of experience in the gaming industry, having held various senior leadership positions in Electronic Arts for Asia Pacific as well as mid-sized and start up studios. He also currently serves as mentor for PIXEL, IGDA and studios under Info-communications Media Development Authority Singapore and Google’s Indie Games Accelerator as well as Board Advisor to the Singapore Games Association and Asosiasi Game Indonesia.

John leads the development of Niantic's global-scale augmented reality platform that powers games including Pokémon GO, Pikmin Bloom, Monster Hunter Now, Peridot, and Ingress. Niantic’s AR platform is also used by developers around the world to create sophisticated AR experiences for phones and AR glasses.

Incubated out of the Maps team at Google, Niantic first created Ingress and then Pokémon GO, a cultural phenomenon played by tens of millions of people each month. Earlier in his career, John was a founder of Archetype Interactive, creator of one of the very first online massively multiplayer games, Meridian 59. He went on to co-found Keyhole, a company dedicated to recreating a digital version of Earth, which was acquired by Google and led to the creation of Google Earth. John was Vice President of Google's Geo division, overseeing projects including Maps and Street View, for seven years before founding Niantic.

John holds a BA from the University of Texas at Austin and an MBA from the Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley.

Michael Metzger is a Managing Partner at Drake Star, a global media/tech investment bank with ~100 professionals across the U.S. and Europe. He has facilitated over 20 gaming and esports related M&A and financing transactions and is considered a global thought leader in the digital media and gaming space. Michael holds five patents in the field of communications and serves as the Chairman and Board Director of the German American Business Association in Southern California (GABA). He received an MBA from the Anderson School of Management at the University of California (UCLA), Los Angeles and an MSEE from the University of Ulm, Germany.

Mike Milanov, 37, is a seasoned gaming and esports veteran with a unique blend of industry expertise, entrepreneurial drive and a passion for shaping the future. As Chairman of the Advisory Board, Gaming & Esports at Qiddiya, Milanov spearheads the development of the global gaming and esports hub, the Qiddiya City Gaming & Esports District, ensuring it boldly aligns with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030. He oversees projects ranging from cutting-edge esports arenas to themed gaming hotels, all infused with the latest technology and architectural excellence. Demonstrating his strategic foresight, Milanov has contributed to developing forward-looking projects in the gaming and esports industry extending into 2050.

Prior to joining Qiddiya, Milanov served for years as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Business Development Officer at Team Liquid. In his position as CBDO, he led Liquid Enterprise’s new business endeavors through strategic partnerships and collaborations, mergers and acquisitions, co-branded licensing programs, and the creation of new revenue platforms. As COO, Milanov scaled Team Liquid from 10 to 250 full-time employees, where he managed multiple business units, including partnerships, original content production, apparel and new business. Beyond his commercial and operational responsibilities, Milanov leveraged his experience in video production, influencer management, sales and online streaming to help Liquid respond and adapt to industry trends. Under the Liquid Enterprises umbrella, Milanov spurred the development of 1UP Studios, Team Liquid’s in-house production company, the agency business of Liquid Media and the expansion of Liquid’s Apparel Unit, including partnerships and collaborations with the likes of Marvel and Naruto.

Inspired by his background as a professional World of Warcraft gamer, Milanov brings a "world-first" mindset to Qiddiya. Drawing on strategic thinking and long-range planning, he collaborates with global industry stakeholders to position Qiddiya as the undisputed global epicenter of gaming and esports. In his spare time, he loves playing Fortnite, League of Legends and tennis, discovering fashion and restaurants, and producing music. He lives in LA.

Ng Ser Miang is a Singaporean entrepreneur, sport administrator, sailor and retired Ambassador. He is a distinguished figure in the world of sports, with a career spanning over two decades of dedicated service to the International Olympic Committee (IOC). He has been an active IOC member since 1998. He currently serves as Chair of the IOC Finance Commission and Human Resources Committee and was on the IOC Executive Board for 16 years with 8 years as Vice President. He played a pivotal role in shaping the future of esports in the Olympic Movement through his position as Steering Committee Co-Chair of the inaugural Olympic Esports Week 2023 in Singapore. His commitment to promoting innovation in sports and advancing the Olympic movement has made him a respected leader and visionary within the international sports arena.

Shay Segev is the CEO of DAZN Group, the global sports entertainment platform that connects sports fans across the world. Under his leadership, DAZN is revolutionizing the way people experience sports through its market-leading, proprietary technology. DAZN is the global home of European football, women’s football, NFL International, boxing, basketball, motorsports, golf, and many other sports.

Before joining DAZN, Shay served as CEO of Entain, a FTSE 100 gaming company, where he drove remarkable growth. Previously, he was the COO of Playtech, a B2B gaming platform. Shay holds an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management and a degree in Computer Science.

Jessica Tams, 47, has been a prominent figure in the games industry since 1998. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for Atari, is a Venture Partner at Griffin Gaming Partners, and acts as a Strategic Advisor for Manga Productions, a subsidiary of the MISK Foundation. In 2006, Jessica founded and served as the Managing Director of Casual Connect, the largest international professional games B2B event spanning Asia, Europe, Eastern Europe, and the Americas. She also launched Indie Prize and Gamesauce, the leading go-to-market programs for independent game developers.

In 2003, Jessica established the independent studio that published the inaugural Xbox Live Arcade titles and developed the revamped Games for Windows, including the widely played Solitaire.

Jessica began her career as a software engineer for RPG and Adventure Games and holds degrees in Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science.

Born in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Nora Alalshaikh received her degree in Business Administration from King Saud University before enrolling at Riyadh’s Arts & Skills Institute, which offered the first fashion program of its kind in the Kingdom. Launching her brand in 2012, Nora uses fashion as a tool to bridge cultures by referencing Saudi Arabia’s diverse regions, craft traditions and art forms. In 2019, she was one of three Saudi fashion designers selected by the Ministry of Culture to participate in shaping the Kingdom’s 2030 Vision, by envisioning the role fashion can play in shaping perceptions of the country and its rich heritage. That same year she was named amongst the top ten Saudi women behind Middle Eastern brands by Forbes Middle East, in addition to being invited by Saudi Arabia’s Embassy in Washington D.C. to be featured in the video series Saudi Women in the Spotlight in 2022. For its July 2024 edition, Forbes Middle East included Nora Alalshaikh among the region’s top fashion innovators.

Ahmad Alabduljabbar brings over 25 years of expertise in IT, banking, and technology management. His diverse background spans sales and marketing, business development, product innovation, customer management, process optimization, and customer relationship management. He has significant experience in IT, high-performance computing (HPC), Big Data, Islamic and conventional banking products, and enterprise business segments. Ahmad has held leadership roles in prestigious organizations such as the Olayan Group, Citibank, HSBC, and Credit Agricole. He currently serves as the General Manager for Saudi Arabia at Intel Corporation. Throughout his career, Ahmad has driven business development for government bodies, private sector organizations, universities, and enterprises. He holds an MBA with a focus on Big Data marketing from the University of Northampton in the United Kingdom.

Worked on TEKKEN for 30 years, also as a game Director/Producer developing numerous titles, including Soul Calibur, POKKÉN and VR titles.

Joined Namco in 2001. As a localization producer, worked on many popular franchises, most notably ACE COMBAT, SOUL CALIBUR, and TAIKO NO TATSUJIN. Worked on the TEKKEN series for over 20 years in various roles from localization, marketing, game design, and later producer.

Adam Wang is the Global Head of TikTok LIVE, where he leads a dynamic team dedicated to enhancing the TikTok LIVE experience. Under his leadership, TikTok LIVE has become the go-to destination for real-time entertainment, allowing creators to engage with their audiences in more intimate and immediate ways while enabling a diverse set of creator monetization opportunities.

Before joining TikTok, Adam was a Tech Lead at Snap, where he played a pivotal role in Creative Camera, inspiring creators with creative effects and editing tools. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science from Cornell University.

Gary Pinagot is the Digital Director at Balenciaga, where he has led the global digital and innovation efforts since May 2022. In addition to managing the brand's global digital presence, he has supported several ventures such as the connected products developed for Balenciaga Music. He played a key role in developing the first Apple Vision Pro app, bringing fashion shows into the headset. Gary also led the gaming strategy of the brand, including the recent Need for Speed collaboration and the BFRND game released for Balenciaga Music.

Prior to joining Balenciaga, Gary spent over eight years at Christian Dior Couture as the Social Media & e-Reputation Director, where he developed the brand’s social media global presence and influencer strategy, and implemented digital communication initiatives. During his time at Dior, he accelerated the brand's digital presence by bringing Dior to untapped platforms like TikTok and exploring innovation through social media with the development of augmented reality projects, pioneering the technology on Snapchat and Instagram at the time of the launch.

After graduating as a bachelor of Arabic, Miss Zhengli Diao joined China Central Television (CCTV), the largest television station of China in 2009.

From 2010 to 2015, she worked in the Middle East as a journalist to cover the breaking news. During the war period（2011-2014), she travelled to Libya, Syria, Iraq, Yemen and other places, witnessed the brutality of war, delivered the picture of people’s daily lives under the war. After that, she moved to Dubai as Editor-in-Charge in 2014.

Miss Diao joined Huawei in 2015 and has worked as PR Manager, MD of Huawei in Jordan, and MD of Huawei in South Africa. During this period, she helped to establish the brand images and initiated product MKT campaigns to drive the whole brand presence in local market, which result in increasing the market share to more than 40 percent.

In 2020, she began to work as the CMO of HONOR Middle East and Africa, during which time, the brand awareness and consideration grew the fastest among all mobile phone brands.

Turki Alfawzan is the Chief Executive Officer of both the Saudi Esports Federation and the Arab Esports Federation, positions he has held since their establishment in October 2017. He is a pioneer within the Middle East’s Esports industry.

Under his guidance, the federation has moved from one accomplishment to the next. Today, the federation’s fast-growing team works to develop the entire National Gaming and Esports Strategy value chain starting at the grassroots and all the way up to elite athletes and global competitions. Turki also was the mastermind behind the development of the Saudi eLeague, a quintet of five gaming titles under one umbrella with a dedicated studio that produces a globally leading broadcast experience. The eLeague have revolutionized professional competitive gaming in Saudi and have moved many young Saudis to legitimize their teams. The platform is now looked at as the main goal for teams and as the pinnacle of national Saudi esports.

At the time of his move into the world of esports, Turki was a decorated veteran in the world of sports governance. He was a founding member and CEO of the Saudi Chess Association, which officially introduced chess in Saudi Arabia. Under Turki’s leadership the association quickly became a committee recognized by the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee, and then grew to become a stand-alone federation in 2017. All of which made him the chief candidate to establish Saudi’s venture into esports.

Born on 31 May 1973, David Lappartient (FRA) joined the Management Committee of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) in 2005, before becoming Vice-President (2013) then President (2017, re-elected in 2021) of the Federation. Within the UCI, he has chaired the Professional Cycling Council, the Mountain Bike Commission and the Cycling for All Commission.

David Lappartient's passion for cycling goes back to his earliest years. He competed in the sport at regional level in France, then quickly took on responsibilities at club, regional, national and continental level, serving as President of the French Cycling Federation (FFC) from 2009 to 2017 and of the European Cycling Union (Union Européenne de Cyclisme -UEC) from 2013 to 2017. He was also a UCI International Commissaire.

He is Chair of the Foundation Board of the UCI World Cycling Centre (WCC) - the UCI's education and training centre, a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Chair of the IOC Esports Commission, President of the French National Olympic and Sports Committee (Comité National Olympique et Sportif Français -CNOSF) and a member of the Foundation Board of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

Alongside his activities in international sport, David Lappartient is also involved in French politics (former Mayor of Sarzeau - from 2008 to 2021 - and current President of the Morbihan Departmental Council). He was made a Knight of the Legion of Honour in 2024.

After achieving the objectives of the UCI's Agenda 2022, he drew up, together with cycling's stakeholders, the institution's Agenda 2030.

He remains a passionate cyclist and continues to ride when his schedule allows.

A former Manchester United and France national team captain, Evra is now a motivational speaker and an influential social media personality.

As captain of the France national team and Manchester United, he won 10 major trophies with Manchester United, including five Premier League titles, three League Cups, the Champions League at his time at and the Club World Cup.

He also played for other big clubs including Juventus. Evra is the Founder of I Love This Game, Co-owner of Estrela Amadora and investor of few brands. As an entrepreneur, social media entertainer, and social impact defender, he champions and raises awareness for violence against children.

Abdulaziz is an experienced leader with a demonstrated history of working in the sporting goods industry. He ran a Saudi Sports brand as well as working at the highest levels of the Ministry of Sports. He is skilled in Analytical Skills, Pricing Strategy, Legal Writing, Corporate Law, and Management. With a diverse educational background, he is a business development professional with a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from The University of Sheffield.

Abdulaziz is currently serving as the Secretary General and CEO at the Saudi Olympic & Paralympic Committee. Abdulaziz is also a Board Member at Mahd Academy, Saudi Motorsport Company, Neighborhood League of Football, and the Saudi School Sports Association. In the past, Abdulaziz held roles such as Assistant Minister and Head of Events at the Ministry of Sports. Abdulaziz Baeshen is a highly experienced individual who has been actively involved in various sports organizations and initiatives, showcasing strong leadership and expertise in the sports industry.

Adwa AlArifi serves as the Deputy Minister of Strategic Planning and Investment at the Ministry of Sport and is a board member of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee. She is a direct strategic support to the Minister of Sport and oversees a diverse range of vital initiatives and flagship international events to drive forward the nation's efforts to promote sports and healthy living.

Academically, Adwa obtained her BS in Business Administration Al Yamamah University, Riyadh. However, sport has always been the main source of inspiration and driving force in her life from an early age and she has already served the Saudi sports sector for more than 18 years. She is considered a pioneer of women’s football in the Kingdom, known for taking historic first steps in the game as a co-founder of Saudi Arabia's first women’s football club in 2006 and then first community Women's Football League in 2008.

Her dedicated support to football has continued for over a decade. She became the first female board member of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) in 2018 and was integral to the creation of the Women’s Football Department at SAFF 2019. It has since established four female national teams, two professional women’s leagues and a schools’ league with over 70,000 girls playing each week.

Since 2019, Adwa’s professional work has had a positive impact far greater than a single sport or gender. Her roles have helped support millions of Saudis progress in sport, starting first as the General Director of the Investments Department at the Ministry of Sport. Working with colleagues, she helped to develop the National Sports Sector Strategy, the guiding light for the future of sports across the Kingdom. Other key initiatives during her tenure included the Clubs Support Strategy and Federations Transformation Strategy.

In 2020, she was promoted to Deputy Minister of Strategic Planning & Investment and has since helped to welcome the private sector into Saudi sport. While in 2022, she was appointed to an additional role of Assistant Minister of Sport Affairs. In this role, she oversees and delivers on all international events, stadia, sport & youth affairs and MOS branches around the kingdom. In a senior role, she delivered notable firsts such as the first Formula-E Diriyah E-Prix 2018, first Saudi Arabian Formula 1 Grand Prix in 2021, first ATP Tennis Next Gen 2023 and first ever FIFA Club World Cup 2023.

Beyond her direct duties in the Ministry, Adwa holds significant roles such as being a Board Member at the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, where she sits on the Women’s Committee. Amongst several board roles, she also serves on the Olympic Council of Asia’s Women Committee, Trojena 2029 Winter Asian Games Committee, Saudi Games Committee and is an Executive Committee Member of the Mahd Academy.

Adwa also sits on the Steering Committees for some of Saudi Arabia’s most exciting bids to host major sporting events, including the FIFA World Cup 2034, having successfully helped steer bid wins for AFC Asian Cup 2027 and Asian Games Riyadh 2034.

Ramadan Alharatani is the CEO of MDLBEAST, the leading Saudi music entertainment company, that is dedicated to showcasing both established and emerging local, regional, and global talent. Since taking the helm, Ramadan has been instrumental in driving the company’s rapid growth, positioning MDLBEAST as a major force in the global music and entertainment industry. Under his leadership, MDLBEAST’s flagship event, SOUNDSTORM, has attracted millions of attendees across its editions, featuring performances from all top talent from over the world and serving as a powerful platform for local and regional talent.

Beyond live events, Alharatani oversees MDLBEAST’s expansion into music production, artist management, and venue development. His vision has been crucial in establishing a comprehensive ecosystem that supports the growth of local and regional artists while simultaneously promoting Saudi Arabia as a vibrant music entertainment hub. By nurturing talent and creating world-class entertainment experiences, he has significantly contributed to the ongoing transformation of the Saudi entertainment landscape.

Prior to founding MDLBEAST, Ramadan Alharatani brought his extensive experience as a consultant on various high-profile projects, including national-level planning for the tourism and entertainment sectors. His deep passion for music and culture guided his work in shaping the overarching strategy for Saudi Arabia’s entertainment industry, aligning with the country’s Vision 2030 goals.

Alharatani is recognized not only for his business acumen but also for his role in promoting a new wave of revolutionary cultural shifts in Saudi Arabia. His efforts have been pivotal in redefining the country’s entertainment sector, making it a cornerstone of cultural and economic development. Looking ahead, Alharatani remains committed to pushing boundaries, fostering innovation, and continuing to elevate the Middle East’s presence on the global cultural stage.

Jean Mariotte is CEO and co-founder of EVA, which stands for Esports Virtual Arenas, a pioneer in VR esports.

After 15 years of being a successful tech entrepreneur, Jean, combined his passion for gaming and esports and decided to launch EVA in 2019 with his two co-founders Stéphanie Belle and William Klein.

EVA combines an exclusive VR technology that allows players to move freely in a 500 sqm Arena with a VR headset, within an original competitive shooter and teamplay VR game made in house called After-H.

With a real physical challenge, EVA is shaping a new discipline, mixing esports and sports. In less than 5 years, EVA has become a network of more than 40 locations around the world, more than 500k players, and a strong esports ecosystem mixing local and global competition.

Tim Edmonds is the Head of Global Partnerships for Esports & Gaming at Oakley, bridging the gap between Esports/Gaming and traditional sports and expanding the brand’s presence in the digital world. Previously, Tim worked multiple roles at Helix Esports, running tournaments and events at LAN Centers in New York and Massachusetts at the company’s inception, and then in partnerships at Oxygen Esports after the acquisition. Tim graduated from Harvard University in 2018, where he played on the Men’s Lacrosse Team for four years.