Gaming Conventions in the U.S.

[7eat51]

I have seen some posts recently in which members stated they were unaware of local gaming conventions. I thought it might be useful to create a living list of cons with weblinks, as available. As folks post cons to this thread, I will update the OP so they can easily be seen by everyone without having to scroll through the thread.

Arizona

• MaricopaCon (August) http://maricopacon.com/

California

• Gamex (Los Angeles, Memorial Day Weekend) http://www.strategicon.net
• Gateway (Los Angeles, Labor Day Weekend) http://www.strategicon.net
• KingdomCon (San Diego, April) http://www.kingdom-con.com/
• KublaCon (San Francisco, Memorial Day Weekend) http://www.kublacon.com/
• Orccon (Los Angeles, President's Day Weekend) http://www.strategicon.net

Colorado

• Genghis Con (Aurora) http://2014.genghiscon.org/
• Tacticon (Aurora) http://www.denvergamers.org/

Florida

• Dice Tower Con (Orlando, July)
• Hurricon (Orlando)
• Recon (Orlando, April)

Idaho

• iCon (Idaho Falls, April & October) https://www.facebook.com/pages/Idaho...38824799481961

Illinois

• DieCon (Collinsville, June) http://diecon.com/HP/
• Flatcon (Bloomington, October) http://www.flatcon.com/default.shtml
• Little Wars (St. Charles) http://www.hmgsmidwest.com/main%20LW.html
• Rock-Con (Rockford, October) http://www.nobleminis.com/RockconWP/
• Winter War (Champaign) http://www.winterwar.org/

Indiana

• Gen-Con (Indianapolis) http://www.gencon.com/

Louisiana

• Bayou Wars (New Orleans) http://www.bayouwars.org/

Missouri

• Geekway to the West (St. Louis) http://geekway2west.com/

North Dakota

• Corecon (Fargo, June)
• Valleycon (Fargo, October)

Ohio

• Origins (Columbus, June) www.originsgamefair.com

Oklahoma

• Twistercon (Oklahoma City) http://www.twistercon.com/

Pennsylvania

• Cold Wars (Lancaster, March) www.coldwars.org
• Fall-In (Lancaster, November) www.fall-in.org
• GASPcon (Pittsburg, November)http://www.gaspgamer.com

South Carolina

• Scarab (Columbia) http://www.s-c-a-r-a-b.com/
• Storm Con (Charleston) http://www.storm-con.com/

Texas

• BGG Con (Dallis-Fort Worth) http://boardgamegeek.com/bggcon
• Comicpalooza http://maricopacon.com/
• Mag Con (Houston) http://www.magcon.org/
• Millenniumcom (Austin) http://www.millenniumcon.info
• Owlcon (Houston) http://www.owlcon.com/
• Texas Broadside (Houston) http://texasbroadside.webs.com/uss-texas
• Texicon (Fort Worth) http://texicon.net/
• WaCon (Waco) http://www.wacogamecon.com/

Virginia

• Guns of August (Williamsburg, August)
• Historicon (Fredericksburg, July) www.historicon.org
• Williamsburg Muster (Williamsburg, February) http://wbconventions.org/

Washington

• Enfilade (Olympia)
• Game Storm (Vancouver) http://www.gamestorm.org/

Wisconsin

• GameholeCon (Madison) http://www.gameholecon.com/
• NAVCON http://www.navcongames.com/
• Nexus Game Fair (Milwaukee, June) http://www.nexusgamefair.com/#!/page_home

Historical Miniature Gaming Societies

• East www.hmgs.org/future.htm
• Midwest http://www.hmgsmidwest.com/index.html
• Northwest http://www.nhmgs.org/
• South http://www.hmgs-south.com/
• Pacific Southwest http://www.hmgspsw.com/

[csadn]

Oregon: Game Storm (Vancouver, WA) http://www.gamestorm.org/

[7eat51]

I have added Historical Miniature Gaming Societies, and following Chris' example, cities where conventions are located.

If official SoG games are held at any of these conventions, please contact Bobby (Coog) to see if they will qualify for the minor con medal.

[Coog]

Texas Conventions:

Millenniumcom (Austin) http://millenniumcon.org/

Owlcon (Houston) http://www.owlcon.com/

Mag Con (Houston) http://www.magcon.org/

Texicon (Fort Worth) http://texicon.net/

Texas Broadside (Houston) http://texasbroadside.webs.com/uss-texas

WaCon (Waco) http://www.wacogamecon.com/


Louisiana:

Bayou Wars (New Orleans) http://www.bayouwars.org/

[Old Ironsides]

NAVCON is a must on this forum. Milwaukee WI
http://www.navcongames.com/

Little wars in IL is also a great Midwest CON

http://www.hmgsmidwest.com/main%20LW.html

Along with ROCKCON those are the 3 I try to make each year.

[Naharaht]

Could someone set up a calendar showing all the conventions like they have on the Aerodrome?

[7eat51]

Could someone set up a calendar showing all the conventions like they have on the Aerodrome?

Can you post a link here, David, and I will take a look?

[kelsith]

Winter War 41
January 24-26
Champaign IL
http://www.winterwar.org/

[kelsith]

Geekway to the West
May 15-18
St. Louis MO
http://geekway2west.com/

[DeRuyter]

I have added Historical Miniature Gaming Societies, and following Chris' example, cities where conventions are located.

If official SoG games are held at any of these conventions, please contact Bobby (Coog) to see if they will qualify for the minor con medal.

Here are the HMGS East events: www.hmgs.org/future.htm

"Fall-In" www.fall-in.org - November 15-17, 2013 (Lancaster PA)

"Cold Wars" www.coldwars.org - March 6-9, 2014 (Lancaster PA)

"Historicon" www.historicon.org - July 17-19 (Fredericksburg VA)

Eric

[Naharaht]

Here is the link to the Aerodrome calendar. http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/calendar.php
It can also be accessed from the menu in the blue bar at the top of the page by clicking on the word 'Calendar' next to 'FAQ'. There is a similar heading on this site but it will not let me access it. Possibly it is not active for all members.

[Nightmoss]

I didn't want to start a new thread for this information, so I'm sticking it here as a best alternative. I just received an email indicating that Event Registration for GenCon 2014 opened up today. Here's the link, although you have to log in with an account to see more information. https://www.gencon.com/users/sign_in

I do hope we'll get some folks willing to set something up, and it will be interesting to see if Ares offers some events too? Cheers!

[HMS Lydia]

DieCon 14 June 20-22, 2014 Collinsville, IL Gateway Convention Center

http://diecon.com/HP/

[Coog]

Oklahoma

Twistercon (Oklahoma City) http://www.twistercon.com/

[Tommy Z]

the link for Origins is www.originsgamefair.com

[7eat51]

Updated. See post 12 for GenCon 2014 registration.

[DeRuyter]

The Pre-registration for Cold Wars (HMGS-East) in Lancaster Pa on March 6-9 is now open:

http://www.coldwars.org/

I am running Erin's "Battle of Grand Port" scenario on Thursday night. I also noted a SoG game listed on Friday and Saturday as well.

Eric

[Andy Blozinski]

I'm going to run SoG at Comicpalooza. They're trying to get a bigger gaming presence. Considering the venue, I'm going to see about doing something "piratey". Maybe I'll get lucky and have some hot cosplayer chicks in pirate garb want to play.
http://www.comicpalooza.com/

[Shoot@Me]

I know of MaricopaCon in Arizona that is currently being Kickstarted to help finance it. Hadn't gone last year but I will this August.

http://maricopacon.com

[Gunner]

I know of MaricopaCon in Arizona that is currently being Kickstarted to help finance it. Hadn't gone last year but I will this August.

http://maricopacon.com

If it gets off the ground (without my KS money), I'll probably swing by.

[Cool Breeze]

Idaho

• iCon (Idaho Falls, April & October) iCon - Southeast Idaho's Convention for Boardgamers

The link is to the FB page which usually doesn't get updated until closer to April. This Con is held twice a year, on the 2nd weekend (Friday and Saturday) of April and October.

There aren't pictures from 2013 because the official photographer missed last April due to a work emergency, and then he died in a rollover accident on the freeway shortly after the October iCon while on his way to BlizzCon, before his pics could be added.

[101radioman]

Not Strickly gaming cons,
In Fargo, ND we have

Corecon June 12-15
And
Valleycon Oct 24-26

[John Paul]

For those of you in the Mid Atlantic Region we (Williamsburg Conventions) are putting on our 6TH annual "Williamsburg Muster" Convention coming up in two weeks.

Dates are February 7 - 9, 2014, and the location is The Patriot Holiday Inn on Richmond Road, Williamsburg, VA

All the show information can be found at our web site:

http://wbconventions.org/

If there is an open game table or two on Friday night I hope to run a demo game or two for all comers be they landsmen, or salty dogs! Of course, as the Director, the plan is subject to requirements and table availability. As part of the staff we always make room for the gamers first, and my time can often be taken up with other details. All the same, if you're in the area take the time to drop in, and get in on the fun!!

[Diamondback]

More up to date site for NW Hist Miniature Gaming Society: www.nhmgs.org

[Cpt Kangaroo]

Recon - Orlando Florida, April 24 - 27 run by HMGS-SOUTH.

[Nightmoss]

Just spent over an hour and a half this morning trying to make hotel reservations for GenCon this August. The Hotel Portal and Passkey system worked abysmally, and I ended up in a hotel 10 miles from the convention center. Demand has far outstripped available hotels and I think it's time for GenCon to move to a larger venue, or at least a city that has adequate hotel rooms to meet demand.

If you were thinking of going and haven't made your reservations yet, you may be out of luck, but I suggest you look now and don't delay? Just wanted to let folks know that there's limited availability (unless of course you're a vendor or work for a vendor). Cheers!

[Diamondback]

Jim, this is why the smart money's always on booking room and airfare as soon as they announce dates, not even waiting for registration to open.

Nice thing about having relatives who live in the area and are Geek Scene lifestylers... :)

[Nightmoss]

Jim, this is why the smart money's always on booking room and airfare as soon as they announce dates, not even waiting for registration to open.

Nice thing about having relatives who live in the area and are Geek Scene lifestylers... :)

Yes, but the premium price you pay really isn't worth it. Up until a few hours ago I could have gone outside the housing block and rented a room in the hotel I wanted for $369 per night (not including taxes, etc.). Convention rates are about $175 I think? They also make you prepay the entire amount with no option for a refund should you have to cancel.

I may well take your advice and try and book next years and ignore the entire fiasco that is Passkey and the GenCon housing portal. Live and learn.

[Nightmoss]

I didn't want to start a new thread for this information, so I'm sticking it here as a best alternative. I just received an email indicating that Event Registration for GenCon 2014 opened up today. Here's the link, although you have to log in with an account to see more information. https://www.gencon.com/users/sign_in

I do hope we'll get some folks willing to set something up, and it will be interesting to see if Ares offers some events too? Cheers!

Update May 2014

GenCon 2014 put up it's online event catalog at 9pm EST this evening. Actual registration for events opens at Noon Eastern Standard Time on Mary 18th. http://www.gencon.com/

A quick search for Sails of Glory shows only two events, both of which are being sponsored by Ares Games, and each session allows for only 8 players. Wings of Glory shows about 9 events if you include WWI and WWII. They say that more events might be forthcoming, but I expect this will be it for 2014 for SGN events?

[Nightmoss]

the link for Origins is www.originsgamefair.com

Origins 2014 is only 4 weeks and 4 days away. I didn't see a listing of events off their main page, but I know there are several SGN events being run by Eric. Perhaps the Origins Forums might have some of that information?

[luckysolo7]

Updated:
DiceTower Con (Orlando, Florida, July 2nd through 6th) http://www.boardgaming.info/convention/

[7eat51]

Updated. When providing entries, please use the following format:

Name of Convention (City-State, Month) web address

Rock-Con (Rockford, October) http://www.nobleminis.com/RockconWP/

[Herk]

Southern California:
Orccon (Los Angeles, CA President's Day Weekend) http://www.strategicon.net
Gamex (Los Angeles, CA Memorial Day Weekend May 23-26th) http://www.strategicon.net
Gateway (Los Angeles, CA Labor Day Weekend Aug 29-Sept 1) http://www.strategicon.net

I also happen to be the Miniatures Director for that series of conventions.

Edit:
Also want to add the HMGS-Pacific southwest chapter http://www.hmgspsw.com/
and the following cons:

Southern California:
KingdomCon (San Diego, mid-april) http://www.kingdom-con.com/

Northern California:
KublaCon (San Francisco, Memorial Day Weekend) http://www.kublacon.com/

[Nightmoss]

Update May 2014

GenCon 2014 put up it's online event catalog at 9pm EST this evening. Actual registration for events opens at Noon Eastern Standard Time on Mary 18th. http://www.gencon.com/

A quick search for Sails of Glory shows only two events, both of which are being sponsored by Ares Games, and each session allows for only 8 players. Wings of Glory shows about 9 events if you include WWI and WWII. They say that more events might be forthcoming, but I expect this will be it for 2014 for SGN events?

Event Registration Update:
Well, I must say I'm pretty disgusted with Gencon event processing. I was online at exactly 11 am to process only 2 requests for events this year. The minute I hit the button I was supposedly number 4,017 in line for processing. Needless to say both events I wanted were Sails of Glory Free for All's and I didn't get into either one. Very unhappy camper at this point. :(

[7eat51]

Sorry to hear this, Jim.

Have you contacted Ares about sponsoring additional events? I would think they would want more given the newness of the game.

[7eat51]

Updated. Thanks for the additions, Mike.

[Nightmoss]

Sorry to hear this, Jim.

Have you contacted Ares about sponsoring additional events? I would think they would want more given the newness of the game.

Yes, I did contact Ares via their main website. The response I got from GenCon was to do that as well. I don't expect Ares will do so, assuming they are the ones sponsoring these two events? After demoing games all day in the dealer hall I expect they want a break (and I would too).

Part of me is very happy they sold out so quickly, which must be a good sign for game popularity. But this is 2 years in a row now that I've not into a GenCon SoG event and that's a bummer for sure.

[Nightmoss]

Well, here's a local Midwest gaming convention that I knew nothing about? Nexus Game Fair. The inaugural show is coming up in a week; June 19-22, 2014. Looks to be a nice cross range of gaming, including some Napoleonic War of 1812, demo of the Battle of the Five Armies, Galaxy Defenders, and even Sails of Glory on Saturday! Link is here and their event catalog is up.

http://www.nexusgamefair.com/#!/page_home

[John Paul]

As a follow on to our "Williamsburg Muster" convention mentioned above we have a second show "Guns of August" at the same location! Dates for the show are August 22 - 24, 2014!

Come on down and enjoy the fun, and don't be surprised if there is some fine "Sails of Glory" action going on over the weekend!!!

[Coog]

Millenniumcon has a new website:

http://www.millenniumcon.info/

[Andy Blozinski]

Millenniumcon has a new website:

http://www.millenniumcon.info/

Unless someone beats me to it, I'm running SoG there.

[Coog]

Unless someone beats me to it, I'm running SoG there.

You ran a great game last year and I hope to be there again. Will HMS Sybille be available?

[Andy Blozinski]

You ran a great game last year and I hope to be there again. Will HMS Sybille be available?

Definitely. I really like the burden 4 frigates.
I want to see how my fog game goes next month at HoustonCon before committing to what scenario I would run at MillenniumCon.

[CSherrange]

We have a convention here in the Pittsburgh region during November run by a local group called GASP. Information is at www.gaspgamer.com
I am a member and could possibly run a game at the convention this year.

[7eat51]

List has been updated.

[roninrmz]

South carolina
Scarab: columbia http://www.s-c-a-r-a-b.com/
Been going for 3 years now lots of fun.
Storm Con: charleston http://www.storm-con.com/

[7eat51]

Greeting Zeus.

Stop by the Welcome Aboard forum and introduce yourself. Folks will be glad to meet you. I will update the OP with the con info accordingly.

[ChyronDave]

There are a few in Connecticut. One of the bigger ones (that I still personally have yet to attend) is Connecticon

http://connecticon.org/