“I had no idea how big Gen Con was,” said a friend helping us with the booth this year.

He knew the stats—61,000 attendees—and how that compares to other corporate events he’s attended as a professional. Our own Carolina Panthers Bank of America stadium has 60,000 seats. That’s a lot of people, but Gen Con is hardly the only event gathering that many people together.

It is the place with the most gamers, though, and that’s where it’s awesome.

Gen Con

If you’re thinking about going for the 50th anniversary celebration next year, be prepared! Sign up for their newsletter and read it as soon as it hits your inbox; otherwise you might miss out on the dreaded hotel lottery. You may also want to volunteer or GM to help reduce the cost of the badge. Plan to bring cash for the food trucks: the variety of food trucks alone is worth going to Indianapolis for (my favorite one this year was Oooweee Chicken, for the name alone). Most food trucks take the card, but cash is faster and the line may be shorter. Since there’s so much to see and do, you don’t want to waste it in line.

If you think you can only attend once, study the event listings and sign up for everything that looks interesting to you. Leave room for serendipity, though.

If you are hoping to break into the industry, Gen Con is the place to make new friends and network. Plan out who you want to work with, and be prepared to prowl the Exhibit Hall so you’re there for the best time to meet those in charge. Don’t be shy: tell them what you want to do, and why they should let you do it. Being a fan helps, but bring a portfolio or some other demonstration of skill.

Tables Available and PAX South!

We do not usually stock tables ready to ship; each one is begun only when ordered. At Gen Con we sold three of our display tables, leaving us with enough to show at DragonCon and MACE later this year.

Coming to DragonCon? Find us on the 3rd floor of the AmericasMart Building Two, with the other exhibitors. Many of the special guests will be on floor 3, and more on floor 4! (You may want to start at the top and work your way down). Gaming has moved to the Westin and connects to Building Two on the 2nd floor…I think. DragonCon has always required a wayfinder just to figure out where anything is! We have the $799 “Topless” Coffee Game Table in Cherry finish and Dark Brown fabric available for sale at DragonCon.

At MACE, we plan to sell an $1199 Kitchen Game Table in Elm finish and Classic Burgundy fabric and a $899 Coffee Game Table in Cherry finish and Forest Green fabric. This is our favorite convention of the year, period. We hope you’ll join us!

We start next year by attending PAX South in San Antonio, Texas. If you are interested in getting free shipping to San Antonio in January, contact gametableclint@gmail.com. We have limited space in the The Beast to bring tables with us, so don’t think about it too long. 

We’ll use your table for display on the floor and possibly to play on, and you take it home Sunday! You will be required to make a deposit on the table immediately. Please note we may need to charge and collect Sales Tax which is currently 8.25%.

Next year’s con schedule is already shaping up to be a busy one. Want us at a con near you? Email gametableclint@gmail.com and give him your best pitch!