Leaving Indy for 2006?

[IronWolf]

Las Vegas: Far, far away from the homelands of Gen Con, outrageous prices too. It's too far to drive, and flying anyplace isn't worth it anymore.

I certainly want to see Gen Con stay in Indianapolis, but I am not so sure I buy the statement that Las Vegas is more expensive than Indianapolis from the Gen Con goers stand point once you are there. Yes, my travel costs would increase as I would have to fly. But once in Vegas there are tons of casino hotels begging for your business. The times I have vacationed in Vegas it has been quite inexpensive room wise. But the travel complications would probably increase for a large number of people, still making Las Vegas a less than ideal choice should it move.

 

[msd]

I'm believing the theory that Indy wanted to raise the rates on the convention center because Gen Con is such a success, and Peter was performing a negotiating tactic to keep the prices down by suggesting it might move someplace else.

More and more this is seeming to be the case.

 

[kenobi65]

Also, I suspect Milwaukee may regret Gen Con leaving with this year's numbers.

Milwaukee regretted losing GenCon from the start. GenCon was one of the (if not *the*) biggest conventions that the city hosted, and losing GenCon was undoubtedly felt financially. The Midwest Express Center was built specifically with the thought of being able to host bigger conventions, such as GenCon.

However, it wasn't a case of Milwaukee telling GenCon, "thanks, but no thanks." It was a case of Milwaukee and GenCon simply no longer being a good marriage.

Milwaukee's set-up just wasn't big enough, even with the new Midwest Express Center. The last few years that GenCon was there, it filled MEC, not to mention the old MECCA basketball arena next door, as well as the ballrooms of the Hyatt and Hilton. They were bursting at the seams.

And, there was very limited hotel space near the convention center. Only the Hyatt and Hilton were attached to the MEC, and there were fairly few other hotels within walking distance. Some of the "convention hotels" for GenCon were literally miles away from downtown (when I went in 2001, I was stuck in a hotel that was a 15-minute drive from the convention center...and that was still an "official" con hotel).

Finally, late July / early August in Milwaukee always meant that GenCon was scheduled on the same weekend as either the Wisconsin State Fair, or some ethnic festival at the Summerfest grounds (Irish Fest, German Fest, etc.), which just put a bigger crunch on the hotel situation.

 

[JVisgaitis]

From Peter Adkinson regarding the move:

Yesterday in the Indy Star it was reported that Gen Con is leaving
Indianapolis.

Consider this rumor control: no such decision has been made.

What is true is that our contract is up after 2006 and we are examing
our options. I'll be conducting a four-city tour next week of possible
venues throughout the midwest.

My preference would be to stay in Indianapolis as I know first hand how
risky it is to move a convention of this magnitude. But I do think it
only prudent to compare alternatives and make sure I'm getting a good
deal.

 

[Kryndal Levik]

From Peter Adkinson regarding the move...

Thanks for the info- glad to hear it. I'm hoping that it either stays in Indy (my preference), or at least in the vicinity (Ohio wouldn't be bad, either). I'd say "move it to St. Louis!" but that would take all the fun out of traveling there.

 

[JVisgaitis]

No problem. I've never been to Gencon when it was in WI, but given the choice, I prefer Indianapolis to Columbus.

 

[MavrickWeirdo]

I realize that this is a dead rumor, but I just had a thought.

GenCon in Salt Lake City

 

[KenM]

I'd like to see it moved eastward as well. Isn't Orgins in Ohio? If they do move it east, while I'd love for it to be in Boston. I think it would be in NYC.

 

[Cthulhu's Librarian]

I'd like to see it moved eastward as well. Isn't Orgins in Ohio? If they do move it east, while I'd love for it to be in Boston. I think it would be in NYC.

NYC is great and all (I love the city, and used to live there), but it would be a bad idea to move a convention like GenCon there. Trade shows (like ToyFair), sure some are held there, but unless you have a show that has a majority of the businesses who you sell to in NYC, it's just too damn expensive to hold a show there. Holding a consumer show like GenCon there would probably cost 4 times as much just to get a location, and there would be no perks like Indy throws to get the con to be held there. Indy is a "convention city", they need and want conventions of all sizes held there for the economy. New York could care less if another convention came to town, it would just be another day of business for everyone concerned. So NYC is not going to happen anytime soon, IMHO.

 

[Evil Monkey]

Possibly Phoenix, AZ?

Have never been to GenCon but have read many anecdotes from it on these boards.

Thinking about the stereotypical gamer funk.

And you think 25K+ gamers in 110-degree heat is a good idea?!

Don't get me wrong, I live in Phoenix and would love to have such a big gaming convention here. I just don't think my nose could handle it....