GAMA's Communications Manager Declares Organization 'Broken'

As reported by ICv2, the Marketing and Communications manager of the Game Manufacturer's Association--a US-based trade organization for the hobby games industry--has resigned her position and described GAMA as "deeply siloed and in many ways, broken."

Formed in 1977, GAMA runs the Origins Game Fair every year, one of the larger tabletop gaming conventions, as well as the industry trade show GAMA EXPO. Additionally, the organization presents the annual Origins Awards for tabletop gaming. The organization provides business support and industry-focused educational programs and includes publishers, retailers, distributors, freelancers, and more in its members.

Amy Lowe joined GAMA in October 2024. In her resignation letter, she made a range of allegations about the organization:

But here's the honest truth: GAMA is deeply siloed and, in many ways, broken.

• Toxic leadership.
• Rampant gatekeeping.
• Insecurity masquerading as control.
• Disrespect toward other staff and members.

I witnessed staff roll their eyes at members, members who literally fund the organization. I saw internal dynamics that were petty, power-hungry, and counterproductive. Then came a restructuring that had me reporting to someone who openly disrespected colleagues and talked s#!% about members.

I've worked in high-stakes environments. I've managed massive campaigns. I've dealt with complex teams. But I refuse to stay in a place that values ego over impact. So, I resigned, two days into the restructure.

When they reached out, ICv2 received a response from John Stacy, Executive Director of GAMA:

Over the past eight months GAMA has nearly doubled its staff to accommodate for our growing association. We now represent almost 1,700 tabletop game companies in three dozen countries. As part of this growth we have taken a hard look at how our staff was organized and made adjustments to better align with our ten year strategic plan for GAMA to be the epicenter of the tabletop industry. While I disagree with her categorization of our staff, we appreciate the brief time she was with us and wish her well in her future adventures.

 

[Dire Bare]

To paraphrase and invert Tolstoy, all unhappy organizations are alike.

I'm sure, but what exactly is your point?

I may be misunderstanding, but you seem dismissive of the discussion that GAMA is a troubled organization. Like it's no big whoop.

If so, I'd counter that the industry trade organization for the industry that serves our fandom is an important topic of conversation . . . fans and publishers should know. Either to avoid the organization or perhaps in hopes of reforming it.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

I don't understand why anybody writes toxic exit letters like this. You say, "I need to spend more time with my family," and you leave.

Because if you believe in the organization's mission, leaving this way doesn't do anything to fix it.

Even if there's a 1% chance this sort of exit will force the organization to improve, for a certain type of true believer, that's a risk worth taking.

 

[MGibster]

A good HR department wants an honest response and a bad one wants one that doesn't make any waves.

I work in HR, and you're right that we want an honest response, but then we'd prefer that response weren't so public.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Right. So you communicate privately with the HR department. Not publicly. If the HR department ignores you then the organization is beyond saving. (Or maybe you're wrong?)

It's a member-funded organization. Letting the members know what's going on with a public statement has a much better chance of effecting change than asking an apparently broken organization to police itself.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

The above, in broad strokes, describes every large corporation I’ve ever worked at. And I’ve worked at a lot.

That sucks, but it doesn't mean any of this is necessary or acceptable. It's definitely not universally true, especially for organizations that are successful over the long term.

 

[Bill Zebub]

It's a member-funded organization. Letting the members know what's going on with a public statement has a much better chance of effecting change than asking an apparently broken organization to police itself.

Yeah, sure, in this organization that would make sense.

Posting a screed on LinkedIn? If your goal is really to change an organization you care about, that doesn't seem like the best strategy.

 

[MGibster]

Posting a screed on LinkedIn? If your goal is really to change an organization you care about, that doesn't seem like the best strategy.

She decided to leave. I expect her primary goal was to get the heck out and move on to greener pastures.

 

[jdrakeh]

Yeah, allegations of a toxic workplace at GAMA are nothing new and the past history certainly makes these newest allegations credible. I recall, for example, the attempted introduction of anti-harassment policy a few years back that allegedly did more to shield the accused than empower the abused. I have no reason to believe anything has changed since then.

 

[Joshua Randall]

I'm sure, but what exactly is your point?

I may be misunderstanding, but you seem dismissive of the discussion that GAMA is a troubled organization.

Anyone unaware that GAMA is dysfunctional has been living under a rock.

And my point is that these type of anodyne accusations are SO commonplace as to be useless. Show the receipts, or be quiet.

 

[Dire Bare]

Anyone unaware that GAMA is dysfunctional has been living under a rock.

And my point is that these type of anodyne accusations are SO commonplace as to be useless. Show the receipts, or be quiet.

Anyone? All, or most, of tabletop fandom is aware? Yeah, if only.

It's one warning, enough that those who hear it might look deeper. Just as what we are doing in this thread.