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2016 Boardgame conventions
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Origins: I last attended in 2014, after not having attended for about five years before that. I actually really enjoyed it, spending most of my time in scheduled (yes, that means ticketed) learning games. I'm all about learning new games, and it turns out spending a few bucks to 1) make sure that a teacher is on hand and 2) make sure that my time is efficiently used is worth it to me. YMMV. (Also, it helps to know which companies/organizations will teach you games during scheduled sessions. Mayfair, for example, will not.) Won't go in 2016 due to vacation constraints, but would like to go again.
Prezcon: I think the last time I went to Prezcon was when I met John, so, umm, not in a while. :-) These days I don't do tournaments outside of WBC, so the tournament focus doesn't have much appeal to me.
Dice Tower Con: Never been, have heard good things, but have also heard that it sold out in 9 minutes. Oh, well. (Also, traveling to Florida in July seems iffy to me.)
WBC: I attend this annually. It's the only place where I do tournaments, and do those exclusively here. The location change doesn't make a lot of difference to me--just changes a long drive into a somewhat longer drive, but it's still easier than Origins or GenCon. I hear that the main hotel is booked, and the auxiliary hotel is not walkable, which sounds annoying.
GenCon: Haven't been for five years or so. Very crowded, and may not be the best environment for learning new games (which is what I look for). Seems like it's becoming more of a spectacle/buying stuff con, which I don't really care about. Have heard that the hotel reservation system is awful, and it's impossible to find a room in the city otherwise.
DGM: Have also heard good things, from Kerrin and others. I think they have access to the BGG library, which would be a huge plus. I think it overlaps with EuroQuest in some years. I might consider this, but taking November vacation beyond BGG and EQ is just impossible in my job.
BGG.Con: I attend this annually, and spend the entire convention learning new Essen games. One of my favorites. Only downside is getting to reasonable food options is a big hassle. This sells out fast, but I haven't had trouble getting tickets when I book within a day or two of the initial announcement.
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