2025 EVENT PROGRAM
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9:00 a.m. REGISTRATION OPENS
9:30 – 9:35 a.m. WELCOMING REMARKS
9:35 – 10:05 a.m. OPENING KEYNOTE PRESENTATION:
Inside Riot’s Remote Broadcast Center Powered by AWS Riot Games’ new state-of-the-art Remote Broadcast Center, Powered by AWS, in Seattle takes the concept of REMI production to a whole new level. Get an inside look at how the 70,000-sq.-ft. production space — along with Riot’s first RBC in Dublin — offers an efficient new “chase-the-sun” approach to live global production: broadcast feeds from live events happening around the world can be sent to the RBCs, which produce, broadcast, and distribute content in multiple languages to fans.
PRESENTER: Allyson Gormley, Riot Games, Global Operations Director, Esports Broadcast & Production – Remote Broadcast Center Powered by AWS
10:05 – 10:45 a.m. NETWORKING BREAK IN EXHIBIT AREA
10:45 – 11:30 a.m. FROM STAGE TO STREAM:
Producing Live Esports Events in 2025
As the esports scene evolves, the demands of live-event production are more complex than ever. From massive in-arena spectacles to budgetconscious mid-level shows to seamless online broadcasts, producers must navigate cutting-edge technology, high-stakes logistics, and audience expectations across multiple platforms. This session brings together top esports-production leaders to discuss the latest innovations in live-event execution, the rise of remote and cloud-based solutions, balancing cost considerations and production quality, and much more.
INTRODUCTION BY: Steve Meyer, MeyerPro, Founder & President
MODERATOR: Jason Dachman, SVG, Editorial Director, U.S.; SVG Esports Production Program Director
PANELISTS:
Kyle Corvese, ESL FACEIT Group, Manager, In-Game Production
Heather “sapphiRe” Garozzo, Raidiant, President, Freelance Observer
Ariel Horn, Executive Producer, Founder and Investor
Dave Stewart, Riot Games, VP of Content Services
Ben Vignola, 1 Up Productions, Head of Production
11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. ESPORTS PRODUCTION TECH UPDATE: What’s New and What’s Next?
Esports production is pushing the boundaries of live broadcasting, demanding cutting-edge tools and next-gen workflows to deliver top-tier content to global audiences. In this session, leading technology vendors will share the latest innovations shaping esports production in 2025. From AI-driven automation tools to cloud-based and REMI production workflows to eye-popping virtual production and AR-graphics solutions, this panel will explore how new technologies are enhancing efficiency, creativity, and interactivity.
MODERATOR: Rhona Keegan, EMG/Gravity Media, Global Service Delivery Manager
PANELISTS:
Ray Kasprzyk, Evertz, Product Specialist of Routers | Broadcast Technology Professional
Alex Rybalko, Riot Games, Senior Manager, Broadcast Engineering
Keith Vidger, Panasonic, Engineering Manager
12:15 – 1:15 p.m. NETWORKING LUNCH
1:15 – 2:00 p.m. THE REMI REVOLUTION IS HERE: Remote Production in Esports and Beyond
Remote production (REMI) has transformed the way esports and traditional sports events are broadcast, enabling high-quality, costeffective, and scalable productions from virtually anywhere. In this session, industry leaders will discuss how organizations both in and out of the esports sector are deploying REMI workflows to optimize live event coverage and create new experiences for fans.
MODERATOR: Matt Donovan, Riot Games, Senior Manager, Broadcast Engineering and Technology
PANELISTS:
Geoff Bowen, Appear, Chief Technical Architect
Robert Erickson, TAG Video Systems, VP of Sales, Americas
JD Wu, Tata Communications, Production and Gaming Lead
2:00 – 2:45 p.m. NETWORKING BREAK IN EXHIBIT AREA
2:45 – 3:30 p.m. IS
CLOUD A CURE-ALL?
The Future of Cloud-Based Production
Cloud-based workflows have become an essential part of the livesports-production conversation. From remote editing and virtualized control rooms to AI-driven automation and real-time collaboration, the cloud offers unprecedented flexibility and scalability for both sports and esports broadcasts. But is it the ultimate solution for all production challenges? This panel brings together industry experts to examine the benefits, limitations, and potential of cloud-based production.
MODERATOR: James Wyld, Riot Games, Principal Infrastructure Engineer
PANELISTS:
Jason Dvorkin, AWS, Head of Industry Business Development –Americas, Media & Entertainment, Games, and Sports
Chris Lapp, Cisco, Senior Solutions Engineer – America’s CAI Deon LeCointe, Sony, Director, Networked Solutions
3:30 – 4:00 p.m. CLOSING KEYNOTE CONVERSATION: Q&A With Riot Games’ John Needham
John Needham, President of Publishing & Esports for Riot Games takes the stage for a view-from-the-top conversation on where the company’s esports efforts are headed and how it plans to continue to serve fans with even more top-notch content in the years ahead.
KEYNOTE: John Needham, Riot Games, President of Publishing & Esports
INTERVIEWED BY: Brandon Costa, SVG, Director of Digital 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. NETWORKING RECEPTION IN EXHIBIT AREA AND FACILITY TOURS
VISIT THE EXHIBITS!
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
JOHN NEEDHAM, Riot Games, President of Publishing & Esports
Needham is responsible for shaping and integrating publishing, esports, international operations, and music to create a cohesive and immersive around-game environment for millions of players around the globe. Under Needham’s leadership, Riot Games Esports experienced rapid growth.
SPEAKERS
GEOFF BOWEN, Appear, Chief Technical Architect
Bowen serves as chief technical architect at Appear and oversees their contribution solution strategy. He has spent over 30 years in the industry, championing the development and delivery of software defined workflows in live contribution, production, and playout applications.
KYLE CORVESE, ESL FACEIT Group, Manager,
In-Game Production
Corvese has spent a decade redefining and shaping in-game production. With experience creating broadcasts for over 100 titles, Corvese has used his Game Development and Broadcast background to create state-of-the-art workflows and tools to capture any game on the market.
MATT DONOVAN, Riot Games, Senior Manager, Broadcast Engineering and Technology
Donovan is charged with leading teams and initiatives that support the technical infrastructure and operations behind Riot’s global remote productions for League of Legends, VALORANT, and Teamfight Tactics live esports broadcasts viewed by millions of fans globally.
JASON DVORKIN, AWS, Head of Industry Business Development - Americas, Media & Entertainment, Games, and Sports
As a 20-year industry veteran, Dvorkin provides domain expertise for cloud adoption to help customers achieve key business objectives. His areas of expertise include broadcast, content production, media supply chain and archive, direct to consumer, monetization, and data science and analytics.
ROBERT ERICKSON, TAG Video Systems, VP of Sales, Americas
Erickson combines technical expertise with strategic leadership to drive organizational success. As a results-driven business executive, he excels at leading cross-functional teams, aligning strategies with business objectives, and fostering innovation to meet the dynamic needs of the broadcast and IT industries.
HEATHER “SAPPHIRE” GAROZZO, Raidiant, President, Freelance Observer
Garozzo is considered one of the most successful FPS observers (or in-game directors) for CS:GO and VALORANT, among other FPS titles. She has been billed on the broadcast line-up for some of the game’s most prestigious events, including the VALORANT Champions Tour 2021 and 2022 and numerous CS:GO Majors.
ALLYSON GORMLEY, Riot Games, Global Operations Director, Esports Broadcast & Production – Remote Broadcast Center Powered by AWS
Gormley oversees both of Riot’s innovative global circuit of Remote Broadcast Centers (RBCs) powered by AWS, launched under the name “Project Stryker.” In her role, Gormley is responsible for the construction, launch, and day-to-day operations of Riot Games’ pair of RBCs.
ARIEL HORN, Executive Producer, Founder and Investor
Horn is a four-time Emmy Award-winning global executive producer recognized for helping revolutionize esports broadcasting by elevating video game competitions into celebrated global events. He is known for his productions in iconic venues including MSG, the Staples Center, and Beijing’s Bird’s Nest.
SPEAKER BIOS
RAY KASPRZYK, Evertz, Product Specialist of Routers | Broadcast Technology Professional
Kasprzyk works with the industry-leading NEXX routing platform — a modular solution designed for 12G-SDI routing and processing. With experience in Broadcast System Engineering, she has worked extensively on SMPTE 2110-30 workflows and Advanced Monitoring Solutions for both 2110 and SDI.
CHRIS LAPP, Cisco, Senior Solutions Engineer – America’s CAI Lapp’s primary focus is on the Media and Entertainment Vertical, covering broadcasters, live entertainment venues, Sports, and next generation entertainment customers, including esports. Lapp provides thought leadership to Cisco Sales teams, Product Business units, and Engineering, helping cisco enhance and create its products and offerings.
DEON
LECOINTE,
Sony, Director, Networked Solutions
LeCointe oversees Sony’s live production product portfolio and works with television networks and broadcasters to design and build equipment that delivers live content to millions of homes. His team is comprised of product managers, solution architects, sales engineers, and service personnel that are responsible for the development, sales, and marketing of products.
ALEX RYBALKO, Riot Games, Senior Manager, Broadcast Engineering
Rybalko plays a pivotal role in advancing the company’s esports broadcast capabilities. With a focus on innovation and scalability, Rybalko has been instrumental in the development of Riot Games’ Remote Broadcast Center powered by AWS facilities in Dublin, Ireland and Seattle, WA.
DAVE STEWART, Riot Games, VP of Content Services
Stewart oversees a global team responsible for producing and capturing epic moments through live esports broadcasts, feature content, and on-site event productions supporting Riot’s portfolio of games. Under Stewart’s leadership, Riot’s live esports broadcast productions have seen significant growth in both content and innovation.
KEITH VIDGER, Panasonic, Engineering Manager
Vidger has been working in television for over thirty years, both in production and manufacturing. His career spans the transitions from analog to digital, SD to HD, and SDI to ST 2110. On the production side, Vidger has worked as a camera shader, editor, and TD.
BEN VIGNOLA, 1 Up Productions, Head of Production
Over the years, Vignola has developed extensive experience across a diverse range of sectors, including fashion, experiential marketing, music events, festivals, award shows, and sports entertainment. His work has spanned from intimate fashion brand launches to large-scale, live-broadcast stadium events.
JD WU, Tata Communications, Production and Gaming Lead
Wu is an avid gamer who got his start as a professional League of Legends player. With over a decade of experience in esports and gaming, Wu specializes in the live broadcast of gaming and esports events. He is passionate about telling stories in all forms and growing with the ever-evolving gaming industry.
JAMES WYLD, Riot Games, Principal Infrastructure Engineer
Wyld is an instrumental part of the planning and implementation process for the infrastructure that supports both Riot’s on-site broadcast presence as well as its remote global production operations supporting more than 1,000 live esports broadcasts each year, including Riot’s four-time Emmy award-winning broadcast of the League of Legends World Championship Final.
NEW WAYS TO ENTERTAIN MORE FANS
As demand for live sports entertainment soars, audiences crave unparalleled experiences both in-person and online. Camera and live streaming technologies enable these extraordinary moments. Panasonic o ers the essential technology—cameras, microphones, switchers, and live production workflows—for creating memorable events.
Our reliable, durable solutions are perfect for AV professionals aiming to deliver transformative experiences across various venues, ensuring audience engagement every time.
AVC-HEVC encoding & decoding from one portable device
Supports SDI, IP uncompressed, and future-ready workflows
Ultra-low latency, scalable and secure
HELPING AN ESPORTS LEAGUE REACH 99 MILLION UNIQUE VIEWERS
How does a premier Esports league stream their world championship final from Paris, producing an English language feed in Berlin and a world feed in Los Angeles? All in real time? With Virtuoso media nodes providing JPEG XS transmission workflows, from Nevion, a Sony group company.
Sony: world leader in broadcast and production solutions
Nevion: world leader in IP media networks and virtualization +
Visit pro.sony/sports to see how we can help you.
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