College students Accomplice with Loons to Energy Great Lakes Gaming Convention Sept. 26-27

Two-day pageant at Dow Diamond options esports, buying and selling card video games, robotics and STEM experiences

Northwood University college students are serving to convey the Great Lakes Bay Region’s gaming neighborhood collectively for the Great Lakes Gaming Convention on Sept. 26-27 at Dow Diamond.

Presented by a collaboration between Northwood Esports and the Great Lakes Loons, the two-day pageant celebrates gaming, esports and science, expertise, engineering and arithmetic. The conference debuted in 2025 as Field of Frames Fest and returns this fall with a brand new identify and deeper involvement from Northwood coaches and college students.

“Northwood is unique because students have opportunities to build professional experience in the fields they hope to enter,” stated Assistant Esports Coach Aden Frosch. “Through lead roles in marketing, broadcast production, and event operations, our students are helping run a large-scale event and taking ownership in areas where their years of esports experience matter.”

The conference’s aggressive lineup features a collegiate Rocket League invitational that includes 16 main groups from throughout the nation, together with Northwood’s varsity workforce. Eight Michigan highschool Rocket League groups and eight collegiate Super Smash Bros. Ultimate groups even have been invited to compete. Together, the three invitational competitions supply greater than $16,000 in prize cash.

Attendees can also watch or enter open tournaments for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and Mario Kart World, compete in buying and selling card video games together with Magic: The Gathering, Pokemon and Riftbound, and discover robotics demonstrations and hands-on STEM actions. Educational panels will study profession alternatives in gaming, scholastic esports, streaming and broadcast manufacturing, robotics and Michigan’s inventive industries.

Northwood coaches and scholar leaders have labored with the Loons since March to plan the conference. Northwood college students Lexi Brown and Kevin Gualberti are serving as committee leads for social media advertising and broadcast manufacturing, respectively. Additional college students will help broadcasting, event operations and expertise upkeep all through the weekend.

“Northwood has always encouraged students to apply their skills through real-world projects and personal responsibility,” stated Brown, social media and content material lead for Northwood Esports. “Our region has been underserved when it comes to gaming and esports opportunities, so I am grateful to help build an event that serves this community while gaining invaluable hands-on experience as I prepare for my final semesters at Northwood.”

“This partnership has given me practical knowledge I will carry throughout my career,” stated Gualberti, broadcast manufacturing lead for Northwood Esports. “Experiences like this help students build the skills and confidence they need as they prepare for life after graduation.”

Northwood launched its esports program in 2019 and has since develop into a nationwide chief in collegiate competitors. Northwood Esports captured 10 nationwide championships through the spring 2026 season.

The Great Lakes Gaming Convention is designed for aggressive gamers, informal followers, college students, educators, creators and households. In addition to competitions and academic programming, the weekend will function native distributors and unbiased sport builders, fan actions, ballpark meals and drinks, and a Kids Zone with face portray, balloon animals, inflatable bounce homes and FIRST Robotics demonstrations.

Adult tickets are $10 per day, and youth tickets for ages 5-12 are $5 per day. Children age 4 and youthful are admitted free. A $45 VIP ticket contains admission for each days, entry to a VIP lounge, meals and merchandise reductions, unique time on Northwood University racing simulators and different advantages.

For the whole schedule, competitors particulars and tickets, go to greatlakesgamingconvention.com.