From our friends at Events DC...
Events DC and NRG Hosts Washington, DC’s First-Ever Esports Pro-Am Featuring Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO)
NRG’s CS:GO Team Visit Reinforces DC as an Esports Destination for Future Tournaments
Events DC, the official convention and sports authority for the District of Columbia, in collaboration with pros from NRG Esports’ Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) team join forces with members of the DC Area Esports Club to compete head-to-head at the first CS:GO pro-am in the District. This event takes place on June 17th at Penn Social and highlights Events DC’s innovative sponsorship of NRG to further define Washington, DC as a future esports destination.
“Hosting DC’s first-ever CS:GO pro-am tournament reinforces our commitment to build and embrace an esports community in the nation’s capital,” said Max Brown, Chairman of the Board of Directors for Events DC. “With the evolution of esports into a mainstream spectator sport, Events DC plans to remain in the epicenter of this opportunity for the District and as a catalyst for the city’s future economic and entertainment growth.”
The CS:GO team players will compete against local DC esports enthusiasts and members of DC’s official Esports Club. Matches will begin at 11:00 AM and the event is free and open for the public to register and attend.
"The ability to bring our players to DC and help support the growing local esports scene is what our partnership with Events DC is all about. We're thrilled to be working with local members of the community,” said Andy Miller, chairman and co-founder of NRG esports.
“It’s exciting to be on the forefront of an emerging industry and to expand our scope to include esports events. We’re thrilled to welcome professional esports players like the CS:GO team to our nation’s capital as a bridge to our city’s innovative future,” said Gregory A. O’Dell, president and chief executive officer of Events DC. “Esports prospective growth is unlimited and through our sponsorship of NRG, our esports initiatives will continue to position DC as a leader that attracts future events and visitors from around the globe.”
During their visit to DC, the NRG CS:GO team will conduct a meet and greet at Awesome Con, the District’s annual comic con held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center from June 16-18. The CS:GO team live gaming experience at Awesome Con will take place on June 18 at 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM in the East Salon of the Convention Center, followed by an autograph session on the show floor (booth #16) from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM. This esports presence at Awesome Con reflects the event’s goals to expand future cons to be inclusive of an esports track full of new enthusiasts and programming.
“We’re so excited to get to DC for this event. Playing in a pro-am is something I’ve never done and I’m really looking forward to it. It’s always great to meet and engage with fans,” said NRG CS:GO player, Damian “Daps” Steele.
This initiative represents another exciting milestone in Events DC’s strategic approach to brand DC as an esports capital as well as attract future visitors, residents, tournaments and economic prosperity to the city.
To follow the CS:GO players’ visit to DC, follow Events DC on Twitter: @TheEventsDC. To attend the tournament on June 17 at Penn Social (801 E Street, NW), register here.
About Events DC:
Events DC, the official convention and sports authority for the District of Columbia, deliver premier event services and flexible venues across the nation’s capital. Leveraging the power of a world-class destination and creating amazing attendee experiences, Events DC generates economic and community benefits through the attraction and promotion of business, athletic, entertainment and cultural activities. Events DC oversees the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, an anchor of the District’s hospitality and tourism economy that generates over $400 million annually in total economic impact, and the historic Carnegie Library at Mt. Vernon Square. Events DC manages the Stadium-Armory campus, which includes Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium and surrounding Festival Grounds, the non-military functions of the DC Armory and Maloof Skate Park at RFK Stadium. Events DC also built and now serves as landlord for Nationals Park, the first LEED-certified major professional sports stadium in the United States. The most recent addition is Gateway DC, an innovative and versatile space featuring a covered and open-air pavilion in the center of a 1-acre park, conveniently located in the Congress Heights neighborhood of Washington, DC. For more information, please visit www.eventsdc.com.
About NRG Esports:
NRG Esports was founded by Andy Miller and Mark Mastrov, co-owners of the Sacramento Kings in 2015. NRG counts advisors Shaquille O’Neal, Alex Rodriguez, and Jimmy Rollins among its investors. NRG have quickly become one of the most-loved teams in North America, with an exciting blend of young, upcoming talent and established veterans. NRG fields teams across Vain Glory, Overwatch, CSGO, Smite, and Rocket League, as well as Smash and Hearthstone players and is home to the back to back SMITE World Champions. NRG Esports is the current reigning world champions in SMITE and the current North American champions in Rocket League.
