[2006] Renting a floor at the Embassy Suites

[William Ronald]

I'm there.

How far are the Suites from GenCon? I've never been there so I know nothing about the layout of the city.

I think I can make it next year, and this sounds like a GREAT idea. I have no idea about the layout of the town as well.

Also, I think this might be a way to send a signal that gamers are committed to Gen Con and working with the local business community. During Gen Con's last year in Milwaukee, I ran into a couple of gamers who mentioned that the head of the local convention and visitor's bureau was saying that the loss of Gen Con meant that they could attract a new, better paying group of clients for conventions.

In general, how did Indianapolis react to the people who went to Gen Con? I think it is a wise idea to maintain a good image for ourselves.

 

[reveal]

I think I can make it next year, and this sounds like a GREAT idea. I have no idea about the layout of the town as well.

Also, I think this might be a way to send a signal that gamers are committed to Gen Con and working with the local business community. During Gen Con's last year in Milwaukee, I ran into a couple of gamers who mentioned that the head of the local convention and visitor's bureau was saying that the loss of Gen Con meant that they could attract a new, better paying group of clients for conventions.

In general, how did Indianapolis react to the people who went to Gen Con? I think it is a wise idea to maintain a good image for ourselves.

You mean they game AND are organized? We want their business!

 

[William Ronald]

Sunlight! It burns like hygiene!

Hygiene is your friend. The Computer says so.

 

[Buttercup]

In general, how did Indianapolis react to the people who went to Gen Con? I think it is a wise idea to maintain a good image for ourselves.

They seem quite happy to have us and our money. I haven't seen any hostility at all. The reverse, actually. I think GenCon has found a place to thrive.

 

[William Ronald]

You mean they game AND are organized? We want their business!

Precisely! I think one thing that we can do, at EN World and as convention goers, is to make sure that local businesses look forward to us.

Maybe EN World and Peter Adkison can work with the local convention and visitor's bureau on a guide with tips for convention goers. Include the locaitons of truck stops and highway rest areas. (I replied on the smelly gamers thread, so we can at least help some of our gaming brethren who might be staying in their cars.) Maybe even see if a few businesses want to have coupons, as this might help them track how much more business they have due to Gen Con. Similarly, we can partronize local businesses and let them know we are visiting for the con.

I used to work as a business reporter, and I know that most convention and visitor's bureaus are willing to work to promote conventions. Also, we can perhaps try to work to dispel any myths about gaming and gamers. If the weather is good, maybe EN World or a few companies might have open gaming tables outside the convention center where people can learn about gaming or play a quick game. (Educating people about our hobby, as well as recruiting new gamers can help. )

 

[Buttercup]

You know, a common tactic for any group that wants to demonstrate its economic impact is to use $2 bills. I'm not necessarily advocating that, because it sounds to me like a royal pain, just mentioning it as a matter of related interest.

 

[romp]

Gamers do drop a lot of cash around town, businesses like that green stuff

 

[William Ronald]

They seem quite happy to have us and our money. I haven't seen any hostility at all. The reverse, actually. I think GenCon has found a place to thrive.

Good news to hear, Buttercup! Maybe we can think of a few ideas, and Peter Adkison and friends can see if they will work. (I understand it was about 100 degrees for a few days. Maybe someone might want to set up a cooling tent -- with water sprinkling down -- for convention goers and the public at large. I have seen the same sort of tents or cooling areas set up at amusement parks. It might help keep people cool, clean, and refreshed.)

I just remembered that the WotC Delegate program does game demonstrations. They might be interested in having some activity outside the gaming center.

 

[Buttercup]

Good news to hear, Buttercup! Maybe we can think of a few ideas, and Peter Adkison and friends can see if they will work. (I understand it was about 100 degrees for a few days. Maybe someone might want to set up a cooling tent -- with water sprinkling down -- for convention goers and the public at large. I have seen the same sort of tents or cooling areas set up at amusement parks. It might help keep people cool, clean, and refreshed.)

I just remembered that the WotC Delegate program does game demonstrations. They might be interested in having some activity outside the gaming center.

Just a note: the convention center/RCA dome is huge. Very little goes on outside, as far as I know. That's why, in the other thread (How do I love Gencon?) many of us were remarking in surprise on the canal, because we didn't get off the beaten path of hotel to con to hotel enough to even notice it, though it is just a few blocks away.

 

[Sidereal Knight]

They seem quite happy to have us and our money. I haven't seen any hostility at all. The reverse, actually. I think GenCon has found a place to thrive.

One negative comment that I have heard (second- or third-hand) was from some restaurant workers:

"Those gamers don't tip worth ****."

Otherwise, most of the comments I've heard have been neutral to positive.