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Keynote SpeakerKoen Schobbers

Gaming and esports expert and entrepreneur, Board Member of Global Esports Federation

Koen Schobbers is a leading global expert and entrepreneur in the gaming and esports industry and is an engaging and down-to-earth keynote speaker looking to educate, activate and inspire his audience. He became a professional gamer at the age of 15, but the relationship with his mother was very difficult... Read more

Watch Koen Schobbers in action

Popular Talks by Koen Schobbers

  • Survival in ever-changing environments: lessons from the gaming industry

    A company’s ability to adapt to its environment plays an important role in sustaining or achieving a prosperous future for the organization. The gaming industry as a whole has continuously adapted to its environment for over half a century and is now reaping the benefits: exponential growth. Lessons learned from…
  • Building unbreakable relationships with gaming children

    Screens and gaming: it’s the #1 hobby of many children… And the #1 parenting problem for many parents and professionals. Koen will introduce you to his own models and guidelines that are used by parents and professionals across the globe to build unbreakable relationships. These models and guidelines provide you…
  • The Gamewell Plate and the Hierarchy of Gaming Psychology

    Why do games have such a strong appeal? What is ‘conscious gaming’, ‘balanced gaming’ or ‘healthy gaming’? How can we ensure that a healthy balance is maintained? What are the risks if we do not? And, if not, how do we help someone to get back into a healthy routine?

  • Opportunities and trends within the gaming industry

    The world of gaming and esports is a breeding ground for innovation, supported by a powerful community that is strongly connected through all online possibilities. With new heroes, new games and new technological developments, this industry is set to play a very important role in what’s to come.

  • Introduction to the gaming and esports industry

    The gaming and esports industry has taken the world by storm. Where does this industry come from? What is this industry about? How does it work? Why is it growing exponentially? And what five steps can you take to be a part of it?

  • The Virtuous Five of Personal Development

    Koen will take you on a bumpy ride through his career in which he quickly noticed that certain key behavioral characteristics, combined with the right step-by-step approach, led to great results for people and organizations. Based on his insights and experiences, he created the Virtuous Five model. He has been…

Biography

Koen Schobbers is a leading global expert and entrepreneur in the gaming and esports industry and is an engaging and down-to-earth keynote speaker looking to educate, activate and inspire his audience.

He became a professional gamer at the age of 15, but the relationship with his mother was very difficult as a result. He later used this experience to found Parents of Play to help parents with the relationship with their gaming children and train professionals on how to deal with gaming children. The concept is based around his specific models and guidelines which are now used globally. Koen is also the author of a book titled ‘My Gaming Child’ in which he answers the 50 most common questions he has been asked by parents. He spoke at TED in 2019 about how to (re)connect with gaming children.

Koen is a board member and vice chair of the Athletes, Players & Community Commission of the Global Esports Federation (GEF). The Global Esports Federation has over 150 partnerships including UNESCO, the ITU, the WHO, the UNFCCC, Tencent, THOMSON X, REFRACT Technologies, the Global Sports Innovation Center of Microsoft and over a 130 member federations. Koen founded Koenz, a company helping businesses to implement the gaming and esports industry in their strategies and campaigns. Some organizations Koenz has worked with include Vodafone, Spinnin’ Records, Populous, KIA and Acer.

Koen is highly revered and he has been covered in over 300 media outlets since 2014. Between 2016 and 2020, he was also the anchorman of an esports show broadcasted on ESPN.

He was the Dutch champion in Trackmania between 2011 and 2016 and was 3rd at the world championships in 2013.

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What clients say about Koen Schobbers

"Koen's story was spot on. With his knowledge and experience, he managed to take our international guests into his world of gaming and esports. Koen's keynote breathes authenticity since you can sense that the material has been lived through and through. It was noticeable that a lot of time and energy went into the presentation and it was tailor-made. Literally because we had an extremely wide screen on stage to which he had adapted his slides and videos and figuratively because he included our theme in his story. Thank you so much!" Thijs Pepping, Trend Analist at Sogeti
"Koen was one of the best speakers we ever had on stage at TEDxMünster. His talk was poignant and intense, and he presented it in a highly professional way: clear, understandable and entertaining. It was a pleasure to work with him." Dr. Wiebke Borgers, Organizer and Curator at TEDxMünster


"Koen has a sympathetic, accessible personality and is an experienced speaker. He has a lot of knowledge and experience in the gaming industry and his story is inspiring to many." Mark Versteegen, Sponsorship Director at KPN 

"Koen Schobbers is a fantastic ambassador of the gaming industry. We gratefully made use of his talents and broad knowledge. Koen gives parents valuable insights and makes them feel more connected with their children when it comes to gaming." Hans den Heijer, Senior Media Relations Officer at VodafoneZiggo 


"The commitment of, and cooperation with, Koen for our Ziggo Shop in Shop employee day was a good move. Koen knows how to engage with the audience by matching his story with the audience and our products and services. What was also very pleasant was the opportunity to discuss his input beforehand and that Koen took the time after the presentation, and during the drinks, to answer any questions. Koen is very accessible to everyone and easily takes you into his world, even if you are not familiar with this industry!" Marianne van Haaften, Third Party Manager at VodafoneZiggo

"I was very impressed by Koen’s presentation at the Hot Game, the annual event of the Amsterdam Sports Council about a current sports theme. With his expertise, experience and empathy, Koen knows how to connect worlds that do not always understand each other very well." Ageeth Telleman, Chair at the Amsterdam Sports Council

"It is good to know Koen Schobbers in order to understand the gaming and esports industry. He knows the industry like the back of his hand, knows how to make smart, meaningful connections and explains how to deal with gamers." Jolanda Jansen, CEO of Rotterdam Ahoy 

"Koen knows how to combine the love for gaming with a healthy lifestyle. Useful for professionals, parents and children." Mark Tuitert, Olympic Champion
"During an inspiring presentation, Koen made the audience think about the opportunities that the sports industry and esports can offer each other." Mariëtte van der Voet, Secretary Director at the Netherlands Sports Council

How to book Koen Schobbers as a keynote speaker

How do I book Koen Schobbers for a keynote speech?

You can book Koen Schobbers through London Speaker Bureau by submitting the enquiry form on this page or calling our team. One of our consultants will respond promptly with Koen's current availability, speaking fees and any specific requirements for your event.

What are Koen Schobbers's speaking fees?

Koen Schobbers's speaking fees depend on the event format (in-person or virtual), the location, the length of the engagement and the level of customisation required. Please contact London Speaker Bureau for an up-to-date fee quote for Koen tailored to your event.

What topics does Koen Schobbers speak about?

Koen Schobbers speaks on Business & Management, Digital, Future & Technology, Innovation & Creativity, Sports. Talks can be shaped around your audience, industry and strategic objectives - share your event brief with London Speaker Bureau and we will work with Koen to align the content with your delegates and goals.

Is Koen Schobbers available for international events?

London Speaker Bureau can book Koen Schobbers for events worldwide, subject to Koen's schedule. Please send us your event date, location and format and we will confirm availability and handle travel and logistics on your behalf.

Does Koen Schobbers deliver virtual or online keynotes?

Virtual and hybrid keynotes are now a standard part of the speaking industry. Please contact London Speaker Bureau to confirm whether Koen Schobbers is available to deliver a virtual session for your event and on which platform (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, a bespoke studio or your own).

How long is a typical keynote by Koen Schobbers?

Most keynote speeches run between 45 and 60 minutes, often followed by a 15-30 minute Q&A. Other formats - shorter conference slots, panel appearances or longer workshop sessions - may also be possible. Share your agenda with London Speaker Bureau and we will confirm what Koen can accommodate.

Can Koen Schobbers tailor the keynote to our industry and audience?

London Speaker Bureau will brief Koen Schobbers on your audience profile, sector and objectives so the keynote can be shaped around your event. The level of customisation possible depends on the speaker and the lead time - contact us with your brief and we will confirm what Koen can offer.

What languages does Koen Schobbers present in?

Koen Schobbers delivers keynotes in Dutch, English. This profile may not list every language available; ask London Speaker Bureau to confirm. If you require simultaneous interpretation or a multilingual format, please mention this in your enquiry and London Speaker Bureau will arrange it for you.

What makes Koen Schobbers a strong fit as a keynote speaker?

Koen Schobbers's areas of expertise include Business & Management, Digital, Future & Technology, Innovation & Creativity, Sports. To get a clear sense of Koen's style, credentials and how they engage an audience, please review the biography, popular talks and any videos or testimonials shown on this page, or request a detailed speaker brief from London Speaker Bureau.

What kind of events can Koen Schobbers speak at?

Koen Schobbers can be booked through London Speaker Bureau for corporate conferences, leadership events, internal team meetings, association gatherings and private client engagements where expertise in Business & Management, Digital, Future & Technology, Innovation & Creativity, Sports is relevant. Details of Koen's background and previous engagements are included in the biography above; contact us if you would like a more detailed list of past clients or case studies.

Does Koen Schobbers offer workshops, panels or fireside chats in addition to keynotes?

Beyond keynote speeches, many of the speakers on our roster also take part in workshops, executive masterclasses, panel discussions and fireside chats. Contact London Speaker Bureau with your preferred format and we will confirm what Koen Schobbers is able to offer alongside or instead of a keynote.

How far in advance should we book Koen Schobbers?

We generally recommend enquiring at least three to twelve months in advance to secure your preferred date with Koen Schobbers, particularly during peak conference seasons. Where possible we also accommodate shorter lead times - please contact London Speaker Bureau to check Koen's current availability for your dates.