Esports conventions to draw thousands of gamers to Daytona Beach

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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Thousands of gamers are heading to Daytona Beach this week for conventions.

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The biggest, begins Friday, which is the “CEO 2022 Fighting Game Championships.” It’s expected to draw 4,000 people from all over the world.

Photos: Esports conventions to draw thousands of gamers to Daytona Beach

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While they are expecting a big turnout, Alex Jebailey, president of CEO Gaming said rising gas prices have kept some competitors home this year.

“I saw people that would always come to my event for 10 years and would say, ‘I cannot pay a thousand dollar flight from California or Seattle,’” Jebailey said.

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The Daytona Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau said it has had 14 consecutive months of steady growth in hotel occupancy and rates despite rising gas prices and inflation.

The EsportsTravel summit was also held in Daytona Beach this week and drew another 250 people to the ocean center.

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