Aldine ISD Set to Host Greater Houston Area Inaugural Esports Conference July 20

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Register to attend! The event is open to administrators, teachers, students, and parents.

In partnership with Dell and Advanced Learning Partners, the district will host the Greater Houston Area Inaugural Esports Conference on July 20 at Davis High School.

Greater Houston Area Esports Conference Details

Davis High School, 12525 Ella Blvd, Houston, TX 77067
Wednesday, July 20, from 8:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Keynote Speaker: Danny Martin, Co-founder and CEO of Esposure
The event is open to administrators, teachers, students, and parents.
Link to Register: bit.ly/ghaec2022

Esports’ rapid rise in popularity comes as no surprise since, among teenagers, 90% play video games. Unless you have an avid gamer in the family, you may not be aware of esports or competitive gaming. It recently became an officially sanctioned high school and collegiate sport. Less than a few years ago, the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) first recognized esports as an official sport. Since then, more than 8,600 high schools have started esports teams.

“I knew about gaming, but esports is on another level,” said Joshua Hicks, Aldine ISD coordinator of multimedia events. “It is organized, competitive online video gaming. There are leagues, rankings, formats, and coaches. It’s become serious business. Esports is very popular and rapidly growing in the Houston area.”

Esports tournaments offer peer connections, college, and scholarship opportunities. Several companies across the country are assisting schools in exploring esports technology and educating everyone on why esports is booming.

Hicks expects hundreds of enthusiasts — of all age levels — from across the Houston area. The conference will showcase gaming talent and the latest gaming models from Dell. While there will be gaming, the Aldine Club and other participants will see how esports clubs foster leadership, scholarship, and career opportunities in a growing field (i.e., shoutcasting, graphic design, marketing, and business). Presenters, panels, and workshops will round out the event for those seeking to start district, school, and local esports clubs. Interested individuals can also visit the Aldine Esports website.

Participants will also have an opportunity to work with the AISD Digital Learning Department team members to learn about recruiting, inclusionary practices, conduct, and more. Students and their parents will have sessions for frequently asked questions, competitive gameplay, and discussion about the careers offered in the gaming community.

One major draw is esports entrepreneur and native Texan Danny Martin. While in college, he developed his first business, the Geekletes app. It is a web platform where gamers connect to find a tournament or host one — it also has a physical space to meet. Martin, co-founder and CEO of Esposure, has hosted more than 35 esports events. He also is avid about speaking to students about the gaming industry and STEM field opportunities.

“I don’t look like a gamer,” Martin says. “I don’t look like someone who knows technology. So I want people to see that they can be whatever they want. And hopefully, they have fun, too. STEM should be fun.”