Red Bull Gaming Hub participates in largest global conference on esports
The world of esports gathered in Toronto on July 12 to 14 for the annual Esports Travel Summit: One of the largest global conferences for esports event organizers. A record number of participants travelled to The Westin Harbour Castle Conference Centre to hear from esteemed panellists and industry leaders about the state of and opportunities in the esports industry, as well as its impact on the tourism industry. The Summit educated stakeholders on the latest event venues and suppliers of the travel and esports industry, with a particular eye to the state of Toronto and its esports business ecosystem.
Red Bull Gaming Hub shaping the future of esports in Toronto
As part of the summit, attendees had the opportunity to visit impactful spaces in the world of esports: including The Creative School’s Red Bull Gaming Hub. The Gaming Hub focuses mainly on innovation and new applications of video game design, virtual production and esports broadcasting, offering technology and resources for everything from instructional content and research to live esports tournaments. Summit guests were given live demonstrations of the Gaming Hub, as well as the studios, The Catalyst, and The Allan Slaight Radio Centre, all with a goal of showing what is possible across The Creative School when it comes to gaming and esports. Located in the heart of downtown Toronto, The Creative School is the ideal place for students and community members to embrace the rapidly growing gaming industry.
Summit guests check out the Red Bull Gaming Hub during a tour of The Creative School
“The Red Bull Gaming Hub and The Creative School were highlighted across the entire conference,” said Geoffrey Lachapelle, Manager of the Red Bull Gaming Hub. “We received a lot of praise for our position among a short list of universities in Canada and the United States who are making strides in collegiate level esports.”
Lachapelle was a panellist at the Summit’s session “The Rise of Collegiate Esports Venues.” He spoke about the Gaming Hub, which functions as a venue, classroom, and innovative studio for virtual production, game design, and esports tournaments. The space also allows spectators to experience esports live, engaging audiences in person and virtually across the gaming community.
Vice-president of TMU Bold Esports, Taylor McMillan (second from left) and Geoffrey Lachapelle (third from left) speaking at “The Rise of Collegiate Esports Venues” panel
Student leadership on the global stage
TMU student volunteers displayed excellent leadership at the Summit representing the university and Toronto on a global scale. Lachapelle and students from The Creative School led tours of the Rogers Communications Centre and The Theatre for over 140 members of the largest esports organizations in the world, including industry giants EFG. Blast, and Riot Games. Taylor McMillan, Vice President of TMU Bold Esports, spoke on stage with Lachapelle about the rise of collegiate esports across North America.
“The students served both TMU and the Red Bull Gaming Hub proudly and stood as future leaders of the esports industry,” Lachapelle added.
The Creative School students and Geoffrey Lachapelle (centre) leading tours in Rogers Communication Centre (RCC)
Geoffrey Lachapelle speaking during a tour of TMU’s Theatre
Earlier this year, The Gaming Hub hosted its first esports tournament, a sold-out event with over 150 attendees. Director of the Red Bull Gaming Hub and Video Game Professor at The Creative School, Dr. Kristopher Alexander was recently featured in Destination Toronto (external link) and the Gaming Hub was listed among top influential Toronto spaces in the City’s Esports Strategy for 2023-2027. Looking towards making a further impact in the industry, Toronto will be hosting the Overwatch 2 World Championships in September at Toronto Metropolitan University's Mattamy Athletic Centre.
The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University
The Creative School is a dynamic faculty that is making a difference in new, unexplored ways. Made up of Canada’s top professional schools and transdisciplinary hubs in media, communication, design and cultural industries, The Creative School offers students an unparalleled global experience in the heart of downtown Toronto.