Full Sail Stories
Published Jul 26, 2024
Full Sail Hosts 2024 NACE Convention
Collegiate esports organizations from across the country gathered in the Full Sail University Orlando Health Fortress for the annual event.
Full Sail University strives to create and maintain esports industry relationships that will benefit its students as well as the collegiate esports industry at large. The university’s recent event with the National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE) was no exception. From July 17-19, Full Sail hosted the 2024 NACE Convention on campus in the Full Sail University Orlando Health Fortress.
The annual NACE Convention brings together collegiate esports leaders from across North America to discuss pressing issues, establish legislation and infrastructure that drives the industry forward, elect new leaders, and participate in professional development opportunities. Various sessions, keynote presentations, and workshops covered topics like collegiate player development, diversity and inclusion, integrating esports into academics, and more.
This year, hundreds of schools and organizations attended the convention in the Fortress, where they collaborated, learned, and networked with other industry members. Exhibitor showcases and esports competitions rounded out the convention’s offerings.
The NACE Convention also celebrated notable industry contributors, and Full Sail received several nominations and wins. Full Sail’s wins included:
- Outstanding Event – 2024 NACE Starleague Grand Finals (hosted on Full Sail’s campus, award accepted by Garrett Gajewski)
- Scholar of the Year – Ashley “AJ” Jones (Course Director – Full Sail’s Game Business & Esports Program)
- Director of the Year – Sari Kitelyn (Full Sail’s Director of Esports)
Garrett Gajewski, Sari Kitelyn, and Ashley "AJ" Jones celebrate Full Sail’s NACE wins.
“What an honor to win three NACE awards in such a variety of areas,” said Sari Kitelyn. “To be recognized by our peers is so incredibly fulfilling, and to see appreciation for our impact in live events, acknowledgment for our incredible thought leaders in Education, and commendation for our varsity program’s dedication to excellence is so humbling. We are excited to take what we’ve learned from the convention to continue to drive our industry forward.”
