Convention Calendar
This list covers conventions and events that are dedicated to boardgames or have a strong enough boardgaming element that someone who wants to play nothing but board games would be excited to attend. If open conventions that you know of aren't on this list, or if cons listed here don't have much in the way of boardgaming, please contact the BGN editor. Events are listed by date.
Last Update: March 18, 2010
ConnCon
March 19-21, 2010 • Stamford, CT
Every mid march since 1989, board game, cards, minis, and lots of role-playing. Art show with artists, award ceramony, charity auction.
National Block Party VII
March 19-21, 2010 • New Albany, IN
Three days of friendly tournaments for block wargames and Eurogames that use blocks. Open gaming is also welcome, and the event draws wargamers from the tri-state area.
GameStorm 12
March 25-28, 2010 • Vancouver, WA
Guests of honor for GameStorm 12 include Race for the Galaxy designer Tom Lehmann and Magic the Gathering artist Quinton Hoover.
Caribbean Gamer Cruise
March 28-April 4, 2010 • Miami, FL
Stay, play and melee away! We are packing up our board games and are heading to the Eastern Caribbean for an exotic trip to some really amazing places. For the second year, Mayfair Games is joining us to hold a Settlers of Catan Tournament, taking the winner to the WWCC US Qualifier Event at GenCon in 2010. We will spend seven days on the Carnival Glory and are stopping in four ports and making those evenings and fun days at sea a blast with open gaming, events and tournaments. Our ship departs and returns from sunny Miami so come early or stay late and extend your vacation!
Egypt Wars 2010
April 9-11, 2010 • Carbondale, IL
Scheduled events include Settlers of Catan, Dominion, Boardgame Olympics, Magic: The Gathering, Yu Gi Oh!, Vampire LARP, D&D, HeroClix and Star Wars Miniatures. Pre-registration required by March 15.
Chaoticon 19
April 9-11, 2010 • Green Bay, WI
Chaoticon is a local gaming convention that is coordinated and run by the Gamers' Club of the University of Wisconsin, Green Bay. Chaoticon has traditionally been a board game and role-playing (RPGA) convention. However, during the past few years the Gamers' Club has been expanding to include other forms of gaming including miniatures, LARPing, Amtgard, anime, and video games. The campus Amtgard, SciFi, and Miniatures clubs have had a heavy influence in recent additions to the convention.
EconoCon XIII
April 10-11, 2010 • Plymouth, NH
Every year we put together a small convention around that which we love, gaming. Just like any other conventions we offer our guests a chance to play the games they love or a few new ones, talk to our guest(s) of honor, listen to a panel or two, or just relax and have fun with fellow gamers. All for a price that’s affordable for any gamer.
Just a Game Con
April 10-11, 2010 • Corvallis, OR
Doors open 10AM Sat., 32 straight hours of games. Join us at 6PM Sunday for Janitor the LARP!
Game Days 2010
April 22-25, 2010 • Timonium, MD
Seventy-eight hours of open gaming at this 13th Game Days event held by the Games Club of Maryland, with many games being provided by the club's own library.
Gamer's Reunion
April 23-25, 2010 • Rochester, MN
Gamer's Reunion is a table-top gaming convention sponsored by Rochester Gamers' Community (RGC). The games run at Gamer's Reunion can vary widely and really depend on what our great volunteer GMs have prepared for the convention. You can easily be involved in mutliple board games (Blue Moon City, Marvel Heroes, Puerto Rico), collectible card games (A Game of Thrones, Magic, World of Warcraft), miniatures games (Heroscape, historical miniatures, Warhammer 40K), and role-playing games (Contagion, D&D, Shadowrun).
Flatland Fantasy VI
April 23-25, 2010 • Regina, Saskatchewan
Three days of board games, collectible card games, RPGs and live action role playing! Featured Events include a Vintage Magic the Gathering tournament for a Black Lotus, and a Singleton Legacy tournament for a Mox Sapphire! Check out the website for all event details and schedule.
2nd Eastern China Board Game Convention
April 24, 2010 • Shanghai, China
ECBGC is organizing events with local board cafes, creating events that meet local culture, capacity, and demand. ECBGC's main purpose is to promote Chinese original design board games and board games around the world. In each local event, in general we will have demo games, tournament, disucssion forum, auction and drawing.
Gaming Hoopla
April 24-25, 2010 • Lake Geneva, WI
One attendee says, "Attendance has been around 80 for the past two. There are lots of scheduled events, a good sized game library, a raffle, and good (and fairly priced) food." The event costs $7 for one day or $10 for both, with all proceeds going to the American Cancer Society.
Geekway to the West
April 30-May 2, 2010 • St. Louis, MO
This year we will be at the Sheraton at Westport and will feature a 24/7 gaming space for the weekend, as well as old favorites like the infamous trade table, and the "Play and win" promotion. Geekway to the West is a friendly boardgaming convention held in St. Louis, Missouri. Many of the attendees are members of the local St. Louis Boardgame Meetup group and active members of BoardGameGeek.
Tennessee Game Days V
April 30-May 2, 2010 • Gaylord Opryland Resort, Nashville, TN
Our fifth annual event, TGD V, promises to be the best yet. You'll find three days of open board and card games, organized events, prizes, a flea market, a sizable game library, and much more – plus we've made the move into a spacious resort, perfect for that non gaming spouse. Historically, TGD has attracted scores of gamers from over nine different states, all coming together for a fun and relaxing weekend of gaming – we hope you'll join us in 2010. Be sure to visit our website for all the details and to take advantage of early registration discounts!
SpieleWahnsinn
May 14-16, 2010 • Herne, Germany
"Game Madness" is a three-day event that features many new games and prototypes of upcoming titles from German publishers as well as other European publishers.
2nd Eastern China Board Game Convention
May 15, 2010 • Changzhou, China
ECBGC is organizing events with local board cafes, creating events that meet local culture, capacity, and demand. ECBGC's main purpose is to promote Chinese original design board games and board games around the world. In each local event, in general we will have demo games, tournament, disucssion forum, auction and drawing.
21st Beer & Pretzels Games Weekend
May 15-16, 2010 • Burton on Trent Staffs, UK
Free boardgames library and ample free parking are among the many attractions. Full details are on the Spirit Games website.
Atlanta Game Fest
May 20-23, 2010 • Atlanta, GA
Atlanta Game Fest is a chance for boardgame fans gather for four days of fun and games. There will be hundreds of the world's best boardgames available for play as well as friendly folks who can help with the rules. This is an open event with the fun and feel of an invitational.
CanGames Convention
May 21-23, 2010 • Ottawa, Ontario
CanGames is a not-for-profit but all-for-fun games convention that hosts strategy gaming of all kinds: board games, miniatures gaming, collectable card games and role-playing games, as well as a host of new game demos, tournaments and a marketplace that brings all of Ottawa-Gatineau’s favorite local merchants under one roof.
MepaCon
May 21-23, 2010 • Clarks Summit, PA
Board games, minis, wargames and RPGs, with 200-300 people in attendance.
Gamex
May 28-31, 2010 • Los Angeles, CA
We offer a large variety of games from Role-playing Games, Board Games, Card Games to Miniatures, Collectibles and much more! There is something for everyone to enjoy!
UK Games Expo
June 4-6, 2010 • Birmingham, West Midlands, UK
UK Games Expo is back at the Clarendon with two days of demo games, tournaments and role-playing game sessions alongside the UK's most exciting and diverse exhibition of games companies from across the spectrum, as well as costume groups and the Living Dungeon. To add to that, we will build on the already successful evening games rooms at the Strathallan Hotel by offering space for drop-in games and organised play sessions from noon till late on Friday June 5th and after the trade halls close on Saturday June 6th.
RapierCon
June 4-6, 2010 • Jacksonville, FL
"A Friendly Little Game Convention." RapierCon is in its 8th year, and 2010 is proving to be the biggest and best yet. More gaming rooms, more vendors, more games, just plain more of what you want in a gaming convention. Located at the Jacksonville Clarion Hotel at the Jacksonville International Airport.
Origins Game Fair
June 23-27, 2010 • Columbus, OH
The Origins Game Fair is one of the largest and longest-running game conventions in the world. Started in 1975, the show continues to grow in both size and importance. Players of any kind of game will find a place at our game tables. Manufacturers and publishers come to Origins to show their best and newest wares. Tournament organizers host their finals and championships at Origins. Most importantly, the finest players in the world come to Origins to compete and to share their love of games with a fellowship of players the likes of which they simply won't find anywhere else.
PortConMaine
June 24-27, 2010 • Portland, ME
New England's longest running convention features a cosplay, anime music videos, two anime theaters, a video game room, panels, discussions, workshops, CCGs, miniature events, RPGs, board games, an auction, extreme geek, Cthulhu, karaoke, an artist alley, contests, free stuff, Dance Dance revolution, vendors, and more! Stock full of goodness, with enough events to keep you busy and wanting more; this convention is a family friendly outing for all ages!
Dexcon 13
July 7-11, 2010 • Morristown, NJ
Board and video gaming, wargames, minis, CCGs, RPGs, LARPs, anime, movies, special events, tournaments, an auction, and more.
ConnectiCon
July 9-11, 2010 • Hartford, CT
Utilizing over 160,000 square feet of the Connecticut Convention Center, ConnectiCon offers over 7,000 hours of programming! Featuring open gaming, demo games and tournament play for board games, card games, tabletop miniatures; LARPs, ten slots of RPGA events, console/LAN gaming, four screening rooms and an independent film festival, nearly 100 informational panels and workshops, guests from a variety of industries.
2nd Eastern China Board Game Convention
July 17, 2010 • Hangzhou, China
ECBGC is organizing events with local board cafes, creating events that meet local culture, capacity, and demand. ECBGC's main purpose is to promote Chinese original design board games and board games around the world. In each local event, in general we will have demo games, tournament, disucssion forum, auction and drawing.
Heat of Battle: Wargaming at the National WWII Musuem
August 2010 • New Orleans, LA
Our Weekend Wargames were so successful that they spawned an entire weekend devoted to World War II wargaming, Heat of Battle. Held annually in late August, this event draws games and players from around the country, all recreating World War II battles and campaigns next to real Shermans, 88's and Spitfires used during "The War That Changed the World." A truly unique gaming experience!
World Boardgaming Championships
August 2-8, 2010 • Lancaster, PA
About 1,500 people from around the world gather annually at the WBC for world-class tournaments and open gaming. Full tournament after-action reports are available both online and in a printed yearbook. No experience is required, as plenty of the tournaments offer demonstrations or coached sessions. There is also an auction, seminars, and a Juniors program.
Gen Con
August 5-8, 2010 • Indianapolis, IN
Gen Con Indy is a non-stop place for all things gaming. Hundreds of world-class exhibitors and over 7000 events from RPGs, TCGs, miniatures, board and electronic games, and more!
Game Fest South 3
August 19-22, 2010 • Chattanooga, TN
Game Fest South is a chance for boardgame fans to gather for four days of fun and games. There will be hundreds of the world's best board games available for play as well as friendly folks who can help with the rules. This is an open event with the fun and feel of an invitational.
2nd Eastern China Board Game Convention
August 21, 2010 • Wuxi, China
ECBGC is organizing events with local board cafes, creating events that meet local culture, capacity, and demand. ECBGC's main purpose is to promote Chinese original design board games and board games around the world. In each local event, in general we will have demo games, tournament, disucssion forum, auction and drawing.
Dragon*Con
September 3-6, 2010 • Atlanta, GA
This is a massive event that attracts over 30,000 fans of sf, comics and related stuff that is not especially about gaming but because it is so big it still attracts many gamers and has a strong board game presence. More worth it if you are also interested in some of the other goings on. This is unlike any other event and is either too much or too much, depending on your point of view.
2nd Eastern China Board Game Convention
September 25, 2010 • Wenzhou, China
ECBGC is organizing events with local board cafes, creating events that meet local culture, capacity, and demand. ECBGC's main purpose is to promote Chinese original design board games and board games around the world. In each local event, in general we will have demo games, tournament, disucssion forum, auction and drawing.
Buckeye Game Fest
September 30-October 3, 2010 • Columbus, Ohio
This convention will feature both boardgames and miniatures and is sponsored by the Columbus Area Boardgaming Society. Open Gaming will start at Noon on Thursday and run until 5pm Sunday. Scheduled events will begin at 1pm on Thursday and run the length of the con.
Internationale Spieltage
October 21-24, 2010 • Essen, Germany
The world's biggest consumer fair for gaming offers 150,000 visitors a one-of-a-kind opportunity to see, sample and test the complete international games program. Once a year, gamers from all over the world converge on the largest gathering of the gaming scene. Publishers, authors, manufacturers, and devoted players gather to share their experiences, check out the latest developments, and introduce new products to the wider public.
CharCon
October 22-24, 2010 • Charleston, WV
CharCon is the West Virginia gaming convention. We have all sorts of games, but a strong focus on board gaming. Our board game efforts are led by the Appalachian Gamers (founded by Ted Cheatham). CharCon takes place at the Charleston Civic Center. Come out and support gaming in the WV area!
Euro Quest VIII
November 4-7, 2010 • Pikesville, MD
Euro Quest is a unique blend of tournaments and open gaming and will provide a competitive forum for the play of popular "European" style boardgames in a focused, in-depth format not available elsewhere. All tournaments will be run to provide multiple opportunities to compete in the same game with a minimum of three preliminary heats preceeding the elimination rounds.
14th International Game Inventors Fair
November 6-7, 2010 • Munich, Germany
Bayerisches Spiele-Archiv hosts an annual event for game inventors, whether they're looking for publishing partners or looking for advice, license agencies, game publishers, journalists, and other representatives of the gaming industry. The number of tables available is limited so that editors and reps have enough time to visit all the designers present. Bayerische Spiele-Archiv requests a minimum donation of €30 from those attending the event to cover costs.
Boardgamegeek.con
November 17-21, 2010 • Dallas, TX
The mega-website's mega-boardgaming convention, the largest devoted just to board games and a chance for the BoardGameGeek community to gather and see the faces behind the avatars.
Boardgame Players Association
The Boardgame Players Association is a non-profit corporation established to support the shared interests of board game players everywhere. The BPA wishes to serve as a portal for boardgamers to enjoy their favorite games. If you enjoy historical simulation games, euro games, racing games, train games, any type of board game, you'll find thousands of people here that share your interests. We sponsor annual tournaments, organize play-by-email games, and help establish global player ratings.
Klaus Teuber's suggested events for game designers
