Gen Con, the United States’ largest and longest-running table top conference, is hosting a personal event this year. Originally it was planned for early August, and the event was postponed until September and will include a limited number of participants. The announcement was made on Wednesday on the official Gen Con website.
The new dates for Gen Con are on September 16-19. This will be a hybrid event taking place in person at the Indianapolis Convention Center in Indianapolis, IN. There will also be a live element, with content being broadcast live worldwide. In addition, local game stores around the world can participate in related pop-up events.
“Based on the guidance of the CDC, recent announcements by the federal government and the forecasts of public health experts, we believe there is significant reason for optimism for a mid-September congress with less attendance and some smart adjustments. held, “co-owner Peter Adkison wrote on the Gen Con blog. “If that changes and the experts say we need to change course, the plan will change.”
The general questions about Gen Con, which are updated along with the announcement, state that social distance and other safety requirements will be in place. “Priority for attendance will be given first to participants who have donated or transferred their 2020 badge,” organizers wrote, “and then available to all. If we believe we can keep the event safe for additional attendees, we can offer extra availability of badges. ”
Gen Con is the largest annual convention held in Indianapolis, generating approximately $ 70 million for the local economy. As table games increased in popularity, so did General Con. The event culminated in 2019 with more than 70,000 participants. Gen Con regularly employs city facilities, booking hotel rooms miles away and filling its massive conference center with 24-hour events. It ranges from organized tournaments to open play. Over the past few years, the action has even spread to Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League.
Most importantly, Gen Con’s sales floor is the hub for announcements and new versions in the board game, role-playing game, collectible card games and miniature game industry around the world. Its return marks a light at the end of the tunnel for many publishers who have struggled with the pandemic, the Trump administration’s trade war with China and Brexit-related issues.
Adkison soon sold badges. Those interested in attending are asked to sign up for the Gen Con newsletter.