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Old 07-28-2017, 10:15 PM   #1
lachimba
 
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Default The best of the US conventions?

If I was planning a trip to the USA and wanted to overlap with a convention what's 'the best'* of the cons to aim for?

I would have thought Gen Con, but I'm sure that there are other contenders.


I would want to play/demo GURPS


*the best being a loaded term that takes into consideration many factors
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Old 07-28-2017, 11:32 PM   #2
Andrew Hackard
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Default Re: The best of the US conventions?

Gen Con is definitely the one with the largest SJ Games staff presence, so it's a strong contender for that reason alone.
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Old 07-28-2017, 11:56 PM   #3
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Default Re: The best of the US conventions?

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Originally Posted by Andrew Hackard View Post
Gen Con is definitely the one with the largest SJ Games staff presence, so it's a strong contender for that reason alone.
Thanks, I considered it this year.
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Old 07-28-2017, 11:59 PM   #4
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Default Re: The best of the US conventions?

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Originally Posted by lachimba View Post
Thanks, I considered it this year.
If this year is any bellwether, you don't want to wait if you're planning to come in 2018. Gen Con looks to be headed for its first ever sell-out, and I expect tickets will go even faster next year.
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Old 07-29-2017, 12:05 AM   #5
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Default Re: The best of the US conventions?

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If this year is any bellwether, you don't want to wait if you're planning to come in 2018. Gen Con looks to be headed for its first ever sell-out, and I expect tickets will go even faster next year.
Timing it with an actual US holiday is more of an issue. Unless I want to pay $1500usd in airfares for a convention. As such getting leave from work, the currency exchange rate and so on are issues.

A convention is convenient serendipity. A convention on either coast may in the end be more attractive just because its closer to the tourist things I will have scheduled.
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Old 07-29-2017, 12:41 AM   #6
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Default Re: The best of the US conventions?

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Originally Posted by Andrew Hackard View Post
If this year is any bellwether, you don't want to wait if you're planning to come in 2018. Gen Con looks to be headed for its first ever sell-out, and I expect tickets will go even faster next year.
I'm expecting it to go back down since this year is Gen Con 50. Gen Con attendance went down slightly last year, but the anniversary has driven it way up.

ObTopic: As far as very large tabletop gaming-focused conventions go you're looking at Gen Con, Origins, and (likely) PAX Unplugged. Sizes drop down quite a bit after those. I don't know if there's a good regional convention with more of a GURPS presence, but I'm sure the GURPS folks can help you if you want to consider those.
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Old 07-29-2017, 09:11 PM   #7
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Default Re: The best of the US conventions?

Big conventions have more stuff going on. Local and regional conventions tend to get you more time playing games.

While I went to Origins in 2003 and 2004, I had plenty of fun at Genghis Con and Conduit. Garycon has a good reputation.

I'd suggest looking at what conventions are near where you want to do touristy stuff.
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Old 08-02-2017, 09:03 AM   #8
Solelron
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Default Re: The best of the US conventions?

Yes it really depends on what else you are doing in the US and when, along with what size

West Coast-
Small-mid (1000-5000) GameStorm, DragonFlight, Radcon
Large Con -SDCC, Penny Arcade Expo West(does conflict with a holiday)

Central US-
Small-Mid:Unknown. I don't live in this area
Large: Origins, GenCon, BGG Con, Penny Arcade Expo South

East US
Large: Dice Tower Con, Penny Arcade Unplugged (possibly), Penny Arcade East

If you come to the NW I'm sure I can find you more than one con :)
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Old 08-02-2017, 11:25 AM   #9
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Default Re: The best of the US conventions?

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West Coast-
Small-mid (1000-5000) GameStorm, DragonFlight, Radcon
Also PaizoCon, although that's so heavily Pathfinder focused that it may not suit the OP's needs.
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Old 08-08-2017, 02:04 PM   #10
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Default Re: The best of the US conventions?

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Originally Posted by lachimba View Post
A convention on either coast may in the end be more attractive just because its closer to the tourist things I will have scheduled.
You may also look at some alternate airports that don't just hit the coast.

Chicago is a big one, and there are some great conventions there. Houston Intercontinental and DFW are also good ports of entry.
So is Atlanta, GA, and Denver, Colorado ain't bad.
Minneapolis is a Delta hub, only an hour's flight time from Chicago, but you'll probably have better luck with either Chicago or Atlanta there.

The coasts are also excellent, of course. LA, San Francisco, Portland, and Seattle/Tacoma are great ports of call coming from the west. Looking around, mostly things bounce through LA, SFX, and DFW in a quickie search, and THEN hit the midwest. Not surprising, I guess.
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