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Gaming Convention List

I have not been to many conventions since the beginning of 2020, but I plan to travel to Atlanta for Dragon Con in September. And there are others that I have been to in the past, and others I want to visit. So I wanted to make a listing of the gaming conventions. If you know of more that I should I add, then maybe I can edit this list;

1. Gary Con

Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
2023 Gary Con – March 23rd to  March 26th

Gary Con is a gaming convention held in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin every year to celebrate the life and works of Gary Gygax. Gary Gygax is the co-creator of Dungeons & Dragons and commonly considered the father of role playing games.

Gary Con is all about role-playing games. I had a chance to go this year, but I had to change plans. My son announced his engagement and asked me to marry him and his future wife. I hope to attend in 2023.

2. PAX Unplugged

Philadelphia, PA
2022 PAX Unplugged – Friday, December 2nd to Sunday, December 4th

PAX Unplugged is a tabletop gaming-focused event specifically tailored to lovers of board games, RPGs, miniatures, cards, and more. Featuring thought-provoking panels, a massive expo hall filled with the best publishers and studios, new game demos, tournaments, and a community experience unlike any other.

PAX Unplugged is very organized and an excellent gaming convention. I loved it when I visited the first time. I plan to return in the future.

3. Gen Con

Indianapolis, Indiana
2022 Gen Con Indy – Friday, August 4th to Sunday, August 7th

THE BEST FOUR DAYS IN GAMING

Founded in 1968 in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin by Gary Gygax (Co-Creator of Dungeons & Dragons), Gen Con is the longest-running and best-attended convention for tabletop gaming in North America. In 2017, we celebrated our 50th convention! For five decades, we’ve been gathering people around tables to play games.

One of the questions we get asked the most is: What does “Gen Con'”stand for? Gen Con started as a small gathering of war game enthusiasts. The name is a shortened version of the original name “Lake Geneva Wargaming Convention.”

Gen Con has a lot to offer for gaming. It has so much, you cannot do all the things. You will have to make a priority list and miss out on some events.

4. Origins Game Fair

Columbus, Ohio
2023 Origins – June 21st to June 25th

Origins Game Fair is an annual gaming convention that was first held in 1975. Since 1996, it has been held in Columbus, Ohio at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. Origins is run by The Game Manufacturers Association. Origins was chartered to serve gaming in general, including wargaming and miniatures gaming.

Origins is smaller than Gen Con, but there is still a lot going on. I like it and hope to return again.

5. UK Games Expo

Birmingham, UK
2023 UKGE – June 2nd to June 4th

UK Games Expo (UKGE) is the largest Tabletop Games Convention in the UK – An annual convention showcasing the best hobby games including miniatures, boardgames, role playing games, collectable card games and family games.

I have heard good things about UKGE, and I may be able to go next summer. (cross fingers)

6. Gamehole Con

Madison, Wisconsin
2022 Gamehole Con – October 20th to October 23rd

Gamehole Con is the largest tabletop gaming convention in the upper Midwest. Tabletop gamers from around the country gather each November in Madison, WI for this carnival of gaming. Gamehole Con is all about tabletop gaming and all the fun that goes with it.

7. North Texas RPG Con

Irving, Texas
2023 – June?

The NTRPG Con focuses on old-school Dungeons & Dragons gaming (OD&D, 1E, 2E, or Basic/Expert) as well as any pre-1999 type of RPG produced by the classic gaming companies of the 70s and 80s (TSR, Chaosium, FGU, FASA, GDW, etc). We also support retro-clone or simulacrum type gaming that copies the old style of RPGs (Swords & Wizardry, Castles & Crusades, and others). ANY RPG games are welcome at the Con, be it D&D 4e, Pathfinder, or something we haven’t even heard of

8. Dragon Con

Labor Day weekend in Atlanta, Georgia
2022 Dragon Con – Thursday, September 1, and ends on Monday, September 5

Dragon Con is a North American multigenre convention, founded in 1987, which takes place annually over the Labor Day weekend in Atlanta, Georgia

Dragon Con is a bit unusual as it isn’t in a particular convention center and doesn’t have a set theme like many big gaming conventions, but there are some games. It is rather random and is really a Geek Fandom convention than a gaming convention. The con spreads out over several hotels in Atlanta, spilling into the streets, and activities in other buildings. The rooms are sold out quickly and it is very expensive.