National Conventions Division and Esports, Support CIAA Tournament

Photo By Victoria McAdoo | Students engage with the US Army Mobile Exhibit Company, "Decide to Lead" interactive trailer.  

BALTIMORE, MD, UNITED STATES

03.29.2023

Story by Victoria McAdoo 

U.S. Army Marketing and Engagement Brigade

BALTIMORE, Md. – The Army’s National Conventions Division and Esports team assisted Cadet Command with reaching thousands of fans at the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournament, February 20 – 26, 2023.

The CIAA is the nation’s oldest historically Black athletic conference and was held at the CFG Bank Arena. Since 2011, the Army has fielded a strong presence at the event. As the largest guarantor of scholarships among the nation’s armed services, the Army is providing over $4 million dollars, in support to students at CIAA Colleges and Universities in 2023.

The National Conventions Division(NCD) supported the tournament with high tech rolling assets designed to engage recruiting prospects and influencers. Included were a trailer with an Explosive Ordnance Robot and five virtual reality simulators, welding, and an augmented reality sand table. The second, “Decide to Lead” asset features a virtual reality simulator that highlights a day in the life of a Junior Army Officer with educational components, “Perception vs. Reality” and a “Battle of Wits.”
“NCD has the opportunity to bring firsthand Army experiences across the nation. There are a lot of misperceptions about Army service, and NCD is glad to be able to make a difference in changing those perceptions,” said CPT Frank Mitchell, NCD Company Commander.

NCD exhibitors are full time active-duty soldiers who conduct professional exhibits and are subject matter experts on their assets. They drive, assemble, dissemble, and showcase over 90 mobile exhibits annually. At the CIAA tournament, spectators engaged directly with these soldiers and the assets, while learning about opportunities and benefits of Army service. Along with their mobile assets, NCD exhibitors engaged visitors with a 360-degree camera, dog tag machine, pull up bar, and a giveaway for an Oculus Meta Quest 2 headset.

Active-duty soldiers from the Army eSports team also attended the tournament, using their unique online competitive platforms and skills to engage with spectators and share their Army story. The US Army eSports team is saturated with both talent and passion for how they support the Army’s accessions mission. Events like CIAA exposes eSports competitors to a public that otherwise may not be aware of how the Army supports and encourages soldier passions.

CIAA is one of the largest lead producing events in the nation and provides the Army with direct contact to the African American Community, through its relationships with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Army participation has become a staple at this event, as visitors take advantage of the opportunity to speak directly to soldiers serving in non-traditional fields.

The National Conventions Division and the Esports team are part of the US Army Mission Support Battalion, (USAMSB) under the direction of the Marketing Engagement Brigade (MEB). In addition to mobile assets, and outreach companies, USAMSB produces branding and interactive products that generate leads and enhance activations.

For more information about the Mission Support Battalion, National Convention Division and Esports team, contact via call, text, or email Mission Support Battalion Public Affairs, 502-956-5998 or [e-mail]

• Date Taken: 03.29.2023
• Date Posted: 03.30.2023 08:06
• Story ID: 441513
• Location: BALTIMORE, MD, US
• Hometown: BALTIMORE, MD, US
• Hometown: FORT KNOX, KY, US