Presenters

Ed Tomasi is the president of PLAYHRDR Advisors, a leading esports advisory firm for tourism, government and educational institutions. In this role, he has helped develop and execute winning strategies to advance destinations’ esports ecosystems and initiatives. Tomasi has over 20 years of global esports field experience and is a former senior executive at ESL Gaming (now ESL FACEIT Group). He also serves as a founding member and co-chair of the Greater Raleigh Esports Local Organizing Committee, is an advocate for the collegiate esports programs at UNC Charlotte, UNC Wilmington and NC A&T, and has published educational curriculum. Most notably, Ed he has helped envision and develop the legislative bill with Rep. Jason Saine for the State of North Carolina called the NC Esports Incentive Grant Fund, which is the first statewide program of its kind in the United States. Tomasi is a proud resident of North Carolina.