Esports industry pioneer Ed Tomasi will deliver the keynote address at NC State’s 2026 IT Community Event on Monday, March 2. 

As a founding member and co-chair of the Greater Raleigh Esports Local Organizing Committee (GRELOC), Tomasi has been instrumental in positioning North Carolina as a global leader in digital competition and live events. In his keynote, “The Raleigh Blueprint: Decoding the Convergence of Esports, Academics and Industry,” Tomasi will discuss how Raleigh’s esports ecosystem, the NC State Esports program and GRELOC are driving economic impact, technological innovation and a new pipeline for a skilled workforce equipped to lead the state’s digital economy.

Tomasi is the president of PLAYHRDR Advisors and brings more than 25 years of global esports industry experience to the stage, including his tenure in senior leadership at ESL FACEIT Group. A leading esports advisor for tourism, government and educational institutions, Tomasi was a primary architect of the North Carolina Esports Industry Grant Fund, the first statewide program of its kind. This landmark legislative initiative committed over $30 million to esports and gaming initiatives, including a pivotal $16 million grant to NC State to build world-class infrastructure and educational capabilities.

Event Details

The IT Community Event will be held from 1-5 p.m. in Talley Student Union. A social gathering, hosted by Lenovo, will follow from 5-7 p.m. In addition to the keynote, the event will feature two breakout sessions and the IT Community Awards. See the full schedule on the IT Community Event website. Be sure to add the event to your calendar.