U.S. Esports Federation Extends Agreement with Northstar Meetings Group
The EsportsTravel Summit and TEAMS will serve as the launch for the evolution of the national esports governing body
Posted On: January 14, 2026 By :The United States Esports Federation (USEF.GG) and Northstar Meetings Group have announced a multi-year agreement that will allow USEF to launch its growing leadership team and newly designed organization with an enhanced presence at the EsportsTravel Summit and the TEAMS Conference & Expo. USEF.GG is recognized as the national governing body of esports by the International Esports Federation, the Global Esports Federation, and the Asian Electronic Sports Federation.
Pursuant to the agreement, USEF.GG will also conduct a meeting of its board of directors at each Northstar event, starting with the 2026 Esports Travel Summit, June 23–25, in the Cincinnati region. Board members will participate in the conferences, including one-to-one meetings with esports organizations, destinations and industry suppliers.
The agreement is an extension of two previous agreements between USEF.GG and Northstar to promote USEF.GG and its important work to recruit and develop elite esports players for global competitions and to unite stakeholders in the esports industry in the United States.
“We are thrilled to continue our longstanding relationship with the U.S. Esports Federation,” said Jason Gewirtz, vice president and managing director of the Northstar Meetings Group Sports Division, the organizers of the EsportsTravel Summit and TEAMS. “As the esports industry continues to evolve, USEF.GG and its leadership are playing a crucial role in developing a sustainable ecosystem, including the creation of new live events. They are the perfect partner in our mission to help the esports industry grow and to foster new business development.”
The United States Esports Federation provides opportunities for elite esports athletes to represent the country in international tournaments. USEF.GG focuses on developing athletes who are game-changers in the esports world, emphasizing core values of learning, opportunity, community, diversity and respect. USEF.GG and its scholastic partner NASEF both operate under the umbrella of the 501(c)3 non-profit World Wide Scholastic Esports Foundation.
“As USEF.GG continues to serve as the exclusive representative of United States esports athletes in international competitions through such organizations as IESF, GEF, AESF and hopefully soon in other competitions such as the Nation’s Cup and the Olympics, we recognize and appreciate what Northstar has provided to support these efforts,” said Gerald Solomon, executive director of USEF.GG’s parent organization.
“Northstar serves as both a home base for our governance work, and as a place to amplify the further development and sustainability of USEF.GG and esports in the United States” said Todd Harris, chairman of the board of USEF.GG. “We look forward to this collaboration and how we can be mutually supportive in the exciting and developing field of esports.”
EsportsTravel Summit and TEAMS
Hosted by the Northern Kentucky CVB, the 2026 EsportsTravel Summit will be held at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center. The EsportsTravel Summit is produced by Northstar Meetings Group and is the premier business conference focused on esports tournaments and events as well as the role of the travel industry in the continued growth of gaming and esports. The summit facilitates partnerships between esports organizations and the travel industry while providing educational programming, a marketplace with one-on-one appointment sessions and multiple business networking opportunities.
TEAMS ’26 will be hosted by the Greater Birmingham CVB and will be held October 26–29, 2026, at the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex and is attended by sports event organizers, destinations, venues and industry suppliers. TEAMS is also the exclusive home of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee’s SportsLink program and the site of the annual meeting of the National Congress of State Games.
Posted in: Esports, Latest News, National Governing Body, Sports Organizations