[quote]I want to encourage everyone this summer to do something fun and selfish -- start a game convention. That's right. It may seem to you starting a game convention would be a non-selfish thing to do. For one, it is hard work to bring gamers from your area together for round-the-clock gaming and imagination feasts. You most likely will end up being swamped in paper work, hassles, and fees. You won't have time to enjoy the gaming.
But wait -- this isn't exactly true -- here's how to make your hometown one day con exciting and rewarding:
1) Think small. Twenty players is the perfect size for a one day convention. Four GMs and four players per group means four rounds going at once (I love math). Furthermore, location is pretty easy. Someone might have a large enough house, or you can usually rent out a room at the local university, church, library, or public space. Heck, talk to your local game store. You will find that there are plenty of small, free places to host your event, and some of them even have extra perks (free coffee, clean bathrooms).
2) Concentrate On The Gaming. This should be a game convention -- not something else. Gaming is the main event. Beyond it, you might show a movie at some point, give away a few prizes, stage a silent auction for charity, and have a special guest. -- but only if you have the support. A one day game con is a perfect break for gamers in your groups that are tired of the same old, same old. It gets them the opportunity to try something new and get out of their routine. Next thing you know, you will have a rabid Feng Shui fan on your hands (thanks Ryan Samuelson!). Also, by focusing on gaming, you, as the con coordinator, don't have to worry about all the crazy coordinating and can get down to the good stuff - gaming.
3) Easy Publicity? Make a flyer and a simple website. Post your con's date on convention listings on the internet and in internet forums. Make flyers and post them to your local game and entertainment stores. Send out emails to popular listservs. Go through player databases and email folks in your area with information about the event. But biggest of all, make sure your own group is there, and make sure they invite their former gaming buddies. Make sure you get a few new gamers there too. It'll be fun for the whole family!
Anyway, I'm encouraging you to be selfish and plan a simple event where the focus is gaming. Do you have any other suggestions? Is anyone else going to plan a one day con for the summer or fall?[/quote]
This would be soooo cool, IMO. We could get together plenty of people just on these forums alone. Logisitically we'd have to figure out where to stage it, the costs, the entry fee, other events besides gaming (if any). But it seems like something we could DO!!
Thoughts?