xraygord wrote:You gotta check this out, too funny.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=waa2ucfgVgQ
Badmike wrote:It apparantly stems from a decision by Hasbro not to do business with Gen Con while going through bankruptcy proceedings.
Xaxaxe wrote:I couldn't agree more that WotC not attending GenCon is a short-sighted decision and a very curious way to market that New Coke they're calling 4e. Hey, who needs the world's largest gaming convention, right? No biggie.On the other hand ... it could be that they're sort of pissed. GenCon LLC apparently owes Hasbro $431,000, according to public records:http://www.livingdice.com/index.php?opt ... Itemid=117That is one ugly document. Seriously, how in the world does an LLC end up owing hundreds of thousands of dollars to just about everyone it comes into contact with? Hotels, gaming companies, LucasFilm ... and that's just on the first page. Jesus wept.
Badmike wrote:How do they owe the Make a Wish foundation $148k? Geez, these are dying kids here. Pay up.Sounds like the Gencon SoCal was a money sieve extraordinaire. My guess would be someone in charge completely mis-managed funds on this one.Mike B.
FormCritic wrote:You owe Make a Wish if you collected money for them but lost money trying to collect it.None of these debts seems insurmountable for a company like GenCon.But...that may be just a symptom of worse things.It does sound like GenCon SoCal was a disaster.The real rumor should not be that WOTC will not be attending. The real rumor should be that GenCon will not happen.Given that the only way to make up the money is to put on a convention....Still, if I were WOTC, would I pay money to rent a space when the company I'm paying already owes me for last time?If I were a vendor, could I put up money for a booth knowing that GenCon might take my cash and then simply fold up?This is really bad news for gaming in general.
Badmike wrote:You think the city of Indy would be persuaded to help out? They would stand to lose tens of thousands of dollars if Gencon didn't go off as planned...I assume it would be too late at this point to schedule anything in the convention center, not to mention the loss of revenue from hotels, restaurants, shops, etc.Mike B.
Kingofpain89 wrote:Is Mark Cuban a gamer?
Badmike wrote:When you look at it WOTC is really in a no win situation. If they show up, they are supporting someone who owes them money already. If they don't show up, and the convention goes on as planned, they lose money (on products they could have sold), lose promotional opportunities for their brand new game they really need to promote, and gain a ton of ill will from fandom and gamers in general. I'm not too worried personally. If Gencon folded up tomorrow, I'm still in Indy that week to game and drink with buddies (as I'm sure several thousand other gamers would be in the same situation with non-refundable airline tickets). You think the city of Indy would be persuaded to help out? They would stand to lose tens of thousands of dollars if Gencon didn't go off as planned...I assume it would be too late at this point to schedule anything in the convention center, not to mention the loss of revenue from hotels, restaurants, shops, etc.Mike B.
Aneoth wrote:And the fact that this convention has been held there for decades would not be all that likely to sway them.
Aneoth wrote:By help, I assume you mean for Indy to deduct or forgive all or some of the fees for leasing the center out?I could not imagine ANY circumstances that would convince any city to bail out or even partially help (financially) any host of any convention.EVER.....If the convention was cancelled at the last minute (So to speak) by the host, I suspect that indy would NEVER allow them back.... EVER....There are many others who could fill that time slot for the city.For the most part, City employees (ESPECIALLY) and governments (in general) have a tendancy to NOT remember history. And the fact that this convention has been held there for decades would not be all that likely to sway them.
GenCon Committed to IndianapolisIndy's Largest Annual Convention to remainSEATTLE, Wash. (Feb. 10, 2006) Gamers around the world can continue to anticipate the fun and excitement of the annual Gen Con convention right in the heart of downtown Indianapolis. Gen Con LLC is pleased to announce the Gen Con Indy convention will indeed remain in Indianapolis for the next several years.Gen Con has confirmed that they will be returning to Indianapolis in 2006 to celebrate the company's 39th year and to continue the fine tradition that has been established in Indianapolis. Gen Con has signed an agreement for an additional four more years in Indianapolis, keeping the convention in the city at least through 2010."We are thrilled to keep Gen Con in Indianapolis," said Peter Adkison, CEO of Gen Con LLC. "The city has worked with us to address the question of size and capacity and we are satisfied that the needs for space for attendees and exhibitors will be met."Ultimately we need to provide our attendees and exhibitors with the best possible show we can produce and Indianapolis is the place where that can happen."For the past three years, the Indiana Convention Center has been home to the largest consumer game convention in North America. Staying in Indianapolis has been Gen Con's goal considering the success of the past three years at the convention center. When last years attendance reached more than 25,000, a 13-percent increase over the previous year, discussions were raised concerning the increasing numbers and whether the facility would be large enough to accommodate the growing event."Gen Con has quickly earned a special place in the heart of our city," said Bob Schultz, spokesperson for the Indiana Convention & Visitors Association. "We are thrilled at Gen Con's decision to become an annual event on our convention calendar and promise to meet and exceed gamers' expectations for outstanding visitor service and value in Indianapolis for years to come."In 2005, Gen Con's "Best Four Days In Gaming" generated more than $35 million in direct visitor spending for the Indianapolis community the financial equivalent of hosting an NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Final Four.At Gen Con gaming enthusiasts don't simply attend-they participate in more than 5,000 gaming events including interactive game play, hobby-related events, and computer gaming. Attendees can join in card games, board games, role-playing games, live-action role-playing games, seminars and workshops ranging in topics from how to develop games to how to paint miniatures.Gen Con has more than 250 booths from which enthusiasts can learn more about their favorite games and products with companies ranging from the biggest in the business to hot, smaller shops. Often game manufacturers use Gen Con asa stepping stone to display their new games or to run premier tournaments. Gamers can now mark their calendars for the next great gaming event. Gen Con Indy 2006 will take place Aug. 10-13 at the Indianapolis Convention Center. With more new-product introductions than any other game convention in the U.S., Gen Con is the place where consumers, game manufactures, and vendors get together to experience the latest and greatest in the gaming industry, along with time-honored classics. For more information and to register, call (800) 529-EXPO or visit www.gencon.com.Gen Con, LLC produces the largest consumer fantasy, sci-fi and adventure game convention in North America. Its operations include Gen Con Indy, Gen Con So Cal and Star Wars Celebration III, and licensee for European Gen Con shows. It was founded in May of 2002 by former CEO and founder of Wizards of the Coast Peter Adkison, who solely owns the company headquartered in Seattle, Washington. The company's mission is to create The Best Four Days of Gaming! every year for its customers. For more information visit the website at www.gencon.com.The Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association's mission is to advance Indianapolis tourism and economic growth. The total annual economic impact of tourism on the Indianapolis economy is $3.2 billion, which leads the way to 76,000 full-time equivalent positions in the hospitality industry. For more information about Indianapolis and the ICVA, go to www.indy.org.
Badmike wrote:Actually, while googling, this article came to my attention. Now, there's not a doubt in my mind Indy would bail out Gencon if they had to: Gencon has a contract with Indy signed through 2010 that the city of Indy practically got down on their knees and begged Adkison to sign. There is no way in hell they are letting a 40 million dollar gold mine like Indy every go away. Apparantly Gencon was supposed to move from Indy after three years, in 2006, but Indy threw the love at Gencon to make them stay. Knowing how city and state governments (federal for that matter) have an impossible time weaning themselves from the teat of mounds of money, it's my belief the city of Indy would do whatever it took to keep Gencon alive and well in Indy at this point.Mike B.
Gen Con Indy 2008Gen Con Indy is the original, longest running, best attended, gaming convention in the world. For nearly 40 years, Gen Con Indy has been setting the trend and breaking records. Last year, more than 26,000 unique attendees experienced Gen Con Indy. The biggest complaint we hear is that there is simply too much to do, see, and experience. Get lost in a phantasm of art exhibits. Stare at jaw-dropping costumes, or better yet, wear one of your own. Meet the movers and the shakers in the gaming industry. Check out the newest games and get a sneak peek at the latest editions.
