Fennel Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, President and CEO: Ryo Takashima, hereinafter "FENNEL") has released the event details for "GCEXPO 2026 in Okayama," a joint company information session for students seeking employment who are also gamers.
This event, supported by Okayama City, aims to create a new matching platform connecting companies based in Okayama with young people who love esports. It provides an opportunity for companies that have struggled with recruitment through traditional job-seeking approaches to directly connect with potential hires through the common language of "esports."
By leveraging esports as a catalyst for connection between parties who previously had no interaction, and fostering mutual understanding of values, the event aims to directly address the challenge of revitalizing regional employment in Okayama.
What is GCEXPO?
This event is a career event designed to facilitate encounters between students and companies, using "esports" as the starting point. Going beyond the scope of traditional job fairs, it creates a space where students can convey their values and passion through esports, leading to new encounters with companies and talent that might not have occurred otherwise, and fostering new forms of matching.
[Joint Company Information Booths]
Companies from within and outside the Chugoku and Shikoku regions will participate in the information sessions. Students can initiate natural conversations with company representatives, using "esports" as a common ground, allowing for communication that is not bound by titles or academic background. Companies that understand and are interested in esports, transcending industry and job category boundaries, will gather to provide a platform where students and companies can engage in genuine dialogue using "esports" as a common language, fostering new connections.
[Esports Match Booth]
An esports booth will be set up within the venue. Popular esports titles supported worldwide will be used for the competitions, and through actual matches, not only gaming skills but also the attitude of challenge and passion will be visualized. Participants can win attractive prizes, and there's a possibility of being approached by company representatives who witness their gameplay. This is an unprecedented style of job event where the act of playing itself can lead to evaluation.
Schedule
- 12:30: Doors Open - 13:00 - 13:20: Introduction of Participating Companies - 13:20 - 15:00: Information Session Part 1 (20 min session + 5 min interval x 4 rotations) - 15:00 - 16:00: Exhibition Match - 16:00 - 17:40: Information Session Part 2 (20 min session + 5 min interval x 4 rotations) - 18:00: Doors Close
Participating Companies and Booths (in no particular order)
- NMS Engineering Co., Ltd. - Kusuri no Aoki Co., Ltd. - Imabari Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. - Tsubame Gas Co., Ltd. - Nishinihon Medical Link Co., Ltd. - Hirayama Co., Ltd. - Daikokuten Bussan Co., Ltd. - Fennel Co., Ltd. (Job Hunting Consultation Booth)
Free Shuttle Bus Information [Advance Reservation Required]
To ensure convenience for participants, a free shuttle bus service will be operated on the day of the event. [Limited to 80 people]
Outbound: Okayama Station (Depart 12:00) → Convention Hall Okayama (Arrive 12:30) Return: Convention Hall Okayama (Depart 18:30) → Okayama Station (Arrive 19:00)
*The schedule is subject to change.
Comment from Okayama City
Okayama City is pleased to provide its support for "GCEXPO 2026 in Okayama."
This event was decided to be supported as it contributes to the promotion of employment and labor policies in Okayama City, as well as the development of the esports industry.
We expect that this new initiative utilizing esports will create new touchpoints between students, job seekers, and companies, leading to increased regional employment and talent acquisition.
Event Overview
- Event Name: GCEXPO 2026 in Okayama - Date: July 12, 2026 (Sun) - Organizer: Fennel Co., Ltd. - Supporter: Okayama City - Cooperation: Okayama Business College Esports Business Department - Venue: Convention Hall Okayama, 675 Ouchida, Kita-ku, Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture, 701-0165 - Companies: 8 companies, primarily based in Okayama - Students: 100 job-seeking students (primarily targeting 2027 and 2028 graduates) *All faculties and departments welcome* - Participation Fee: Free
Special Website / Inquiries
Special Website for Students Event details and application here https://gcexpo.univers-gamer.jp/okayama/
Inquiries from Companies and Media Inquiries about exhibiting and interview requests here https://fennel-esports.com/contact/
About FENNEL
Established in 2019. As of 2026, FENNEL operates esports divisions across 10 titles. The VALORANT division has won four championships in Japan, and the Pokémon UNITE division became world champions in the summer of 2024, boasting top-tier competitive results in Japan across all divisions. FENNEL is a professional esports team.
It is also a pioneer in the esports industry, operating tournament management and apparel businesses. Its organized esports tournament brand "FFL" has held weekly events, international tournaments, and student tournaments since the early days of the esports scene, supporting its growth with a peak concurrent viewership of 120,000. In its apparel business, FENNEL has collaborated with brands such as DIESEL and WIND AND SEA. With a total of 4.8 million social media followers and over 700 million YouTube views, FENNEL is a leading company in the Japanese esports scene, leveraging its strong fan base and insights into the youth market, including esports fans, to conduct marketing and entertainment businesses.
Company Profile
Company Name: Fennel Co., Ltd.
Chairman of the Board: Masaya Endo
President and CEO: Ryo Takashima
Location: Daiwa Shibuya Square Building 6F, 16-28 Nanpeidai-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Date Established: October 2019
Homepage: https://fennel-esports.com
Official X: https://x.com/FENNEL_official
Official Online Store: https://fennel-store.com
FENNEL STUDIO: https://www.fennel-studio.com
Official YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/FENNEL_official
FFL Official YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrQOCBkjJ3_ozfjFDf_AgQw
FACT BOX
- Source: PR TIMES
- Category: Event