Dragonmeet, billed as the UK's 'friendliest RPG convention' moved from the Hammersmith Novotel in London to the massive ExCel convention centre last year, as it outgrew the former location, and owner John Dodd confirmed to GMS Magazine that the event is continuing to expand.
The convention has passed through several owners over the years. It started in the 1970s with Games Workshop before disappearing from the convention schedule until it was revived in 1999 by Hogshead Publishing and others, and then moved to Cubicle 7. It was later bought by Modiphius, who owned it until recently selling it to John Dodd, who is a linchpin of UK conventions and was heavily involved with UK Games Expo, Worldcon, Airecon, and others. He is now the sole owner and director of Dragonmeet.
As it grew, Dragonmeet has moved more than once in the last decade, from Kensington Town Hall, to the Hammersmith Novotel, to its current location at the ExCel. Before moving to the ExCel, venues such as Wembley Arena and Olympia were considered. The ExCel allows the show to expand into additional halls at the same venue, rather than needing to secure an even larger venue at a future date.
When talking to GMS, Dodd indicated that further expansion is planned. Currently, it is a one-day convention, but Dodd indicated that the event will be growing to a 3-day convention in the coming years, with an incremental approach, including a dedicated day for previews, panels, and networking. A two-year timeline has been mentioned for a shift to three days, although Dodd raised concerns over hotel pricing in London.
This year's Dragonmeet is on Saturday 28th November at the London ExCel.
