How to recruit quality GMs?

[Ceresco]

I am in the process of coordinating a small regional con. As I am learning the ins and outs I'm begining to think about doing some thing larger. Living Arcanis will be completing it's first six year story arc in Jan/Feb of 2008.There has been discussion of an ArcanisCon. I want to make it happen.

It seems my first obstacle is that the projected attendance is approximatly 500, which means I wold need to get at least 84 qualified and better than comptent judges who could run LA with all it's own uniqueness and quirks.

I'd be more than happy to spend the time getting perspective judges up to speed on the story line, but how do I recruit and implement some quality assurance?

What would it take for you to commit to judging a living campaign set in Arcanis? Besides accomodations and entry to the con, what else could sway you? Every one has a price after all.

Edward Kopp
UKon Coordinator

 

[Philotomy Jurament]

Offer cigars and single-malt scotch. Only the finest GMs partake of these sublime pleasures.

 

[Imagicka]

Greetings...

Well, if your in Toronto... and have scotch and cigars, I know I'll run a game for you.

 

[Drawmack]

If you made the whole thing completely free (except for things I bought) that would get me there. I'm talking airfair, hotel, meals. Basically get me there and give me the necessities. That would get me to run games for you.

 

[Raven Crowking]

Actually, starting off with the Con location would be good.....

 

[Ceresco]

Actually, starting off with the Con location would be good.....

I was speaking more rhetorically, but since you asked UKon is being held in Lexington, KY on February 9th & 10th.

 

[Teflon Billy]

Philotomy isn't too far off the mark acutally.

When we ran a convention here, we always had trouble getting GM's to commit and actually follow though.

Turns out that GM's like recognition and perks

Firstly (and I'm kind of shocked that thiso ne needs to be said as often as it does): Don't charge your GMs admission.

Every time I've been approached to GM for a convention, I've declined if I was expected to pay to attend. Look, if you are looking for free labour--and, if you want a someone to GM at your "For profit" event, then you are--then the absolute baseline, foundation starting point for rewarding your staff is to not make them pay for the privelege of working for you

Secondly: Swag. If you have some prize donors (Publishers and Local Game Stores are usually semi-willing to offer up stuff in exchange for Ad space in the program) make sure some of it goes to the GM's.

Thirdly: Keep them fed. I'm not saying have the thing catered, justa cooler full of pop and chips for the exclusive use of the GM's is a goodwill builder.

Fourthly (optional): We also wound things up by taking the staff out for cheapo dinner after the con. It was more the gesture than anything, but it gave us the opportunity to propose toasts to them, recount stories from the con, and just generally build goodwill.

Once we implemented these rules, we didn't have much trouble with staffing.

 

[Ceresco]

If you made the whole thing completely free (except for things I bought) that would get me there. I'm talking airfair, hotel, meals. Basically get me there and give me the necessities. That would get me to run games for you.

Yeah, you and me both brother!

I can offer up single malt scotch (or the finest in Kentucky bourbon) and cigars though, being a quality GM who enjoys these sublime pleasures.

What if it were a bus or a car pool? Lexington is pretty centrally located at the cross over of I-64 and I-75. It's only a 3 1/2 hour drive for Origins and GenCon.

 

[GwydapLlew]

I have to agree with TB. In all the con LARPs I've run, I've always been amazed at how some cons think they can get away with being as skinflint as possible. (I won't name names.)

On the opposite end (IME) is Origins - GAMA has always been nothing but awesome for us, providing hotel rooms, passes for food, gamespace and free badges. Granted, we bring in several hundred players every year, but it's still an awesome support system.

If I am going to bust my rear (especially with LARPs) then I don't want to have to spend $29, $50, $100 for the priviledge of making your con more successful.

 

[Ceresco]

You and I think alike. Last year I had dinner waiting for my judges (a big pot of chicken soup and crusty bread) as well as NEVER charging someone to work for me. I come from a union family. I would never even consider it. I felt guilty charging our Media Guest of Honor for a table to sell his CDs.

I'm working on recognition and perks. How do you suggest is the best way to approach the FLGS for swag? I'm already charging them for their vendor tables.

Also, I am planning on an after con dinner for all volunteers. Maybe another soup.

Philotomy isn't too far off the mark acutally.

When we ran a convention here, we always had trouble getting GM's to commit and actually follow though.

Turns out that GM's like recognition and perks

Firstly (and I'm kind of shocked that thiso ne needs to be said as often as it does): Don't charge your GMs admission.

Every time I've been approached to GM for a convention, I've declined if I was expected to pay to attend. Look, if you are looking for free labour--and, if you want a someone to GM at your "For profit" event, then you are--then the absolute baseline, foundation starting point for rewarding your staff is to not make them pay for the privelege of working for you

Secondly: Swag. If you have some prize donors (Publishers and Local Game Stores are usually semi-willing to offer up stuff in exchange for Ad space in the program) make sure some of it goes to the GM's.

Thirdly: Keep them fed. I'm not saying have the thing catered, justa cooler full of pop and chips for the exclusive use of the GM's is a goodwill builder.

Fourthly (optional): We also wound things up by taking the staff out for cheapo dinner after the con. It was more the gesture than anything, but it gave us the opportunity to propose toasts to them, recount stories from the con, and just generally build goodwill.

Once we implemented these rules, we didn't have much trouble with staffing.