Gen Con 2016 to Feature Record-Breaking Number of Exhibitors, On-Pace to Set Attendance Records
INDIANAPOLIS (June 23, 2016) – Gen Con 2016 will return to the Indiana Convention Center August 4-7 for THE BEST FOUR DAYS IN GAMING™, and current badge sales indicate the show is on-pace for record attendance as well.
Gen Con is the original, longest running, and best-attended gaming convention in the world. Gen Con 2016 will feature more than 15,000 events taking place over the four-day weekend. Last year, Gen Con set an attendance record with more than 61,000 unique attendees coming from all 50 states, every Canadian province, and more than 54 countries. For the first time ever, Gen Con will offer programming in the Lucas Oil Stadium exhibition space. According to tourism group Visit Indy, Gen Con drives more than $67 million in annual activity to the city of Indianapolis. At Gen Con 2016, attendees will have a chance to meet the experts in the gaming industry, play newly released games, and get a sneak peek at the latest developments.
Attendance Information
Gen Con 2016 will be open to the public Thursday, August 4, through Sunday, August 7, 2016. Thursday through Saturday, the Exhibit Hall is open 10 am to 6 pm and Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm. 24-hour gaming takes place at the Indiana Convention Center and at area hotels during the four-day event.
Everyone attending Gen Con must purchase a badge. A badge allows the individual entrance to the show, admittance to the Exhibit Hall, Art Show, Anime events, seminars and any events happening in the public areas that do not require an event ticket. Approved press can receive complimentary passes to Gen Con. The Gen Con Press Room can be found in Room 114 of the convention center.
Badge Information
Badges are available now at www.gencon.com with either domestic shipping or Will Call pick-up on-site. Pre-Registration ends on June 19 at midnight (Eastern). After Pre-Registration closes, badges will revert to their on-site rates and only Will Call options will remain.
Registration and On-Site Badge Prices
Updated Headlines for Gen Con 2016
Badge Sales at a Record Pace – Last year, Gen Con reached a four-day turnstile attendance of more than 197,695 and a unique attendance of more than 61,000. This year, badges are moving at an even faster rate.
Sun King Brewing’s 20-Sided Rye Tapping Party – Wednesday, August 3 - Indy’s own Sun King Brewing is releasing their 5th official Gen Con beer, 20-Sided Rye. An open-to-the-public tapping party will serve as the official kick-off to Gen Con 2016, beginning on Wednesday, August 3 at 5 pm on Georgia St. This party will feature live music and entertainment.
Mayfair Games Charity Event: Saboteur Tournament - Saturday, August 6 – Gen Con Co-Sponsor Mayfair Games will host a gaming event supporting the Official 2016 Charity, The PourHouse, on Saturday, August 6. Participants will play the popular card game Saboteur in a multi-round tournament where the winner will receive a seat in the Saboteur World Championship in Budapest, Hungary in November, 2016.
Paizo Inc. Reveals Upcoming Games at Gen Con – Gen Con Co-Sponsor Paizo Inc. will have hundreds of events at this year’s convention including Pathfinder RPG events in the Sagamore Ballroom located inside the Indiana Convention Center as well as a full Exhibits Hall presence. They also will reveal new products from the world of Pathfinder to brand new RPG initiatives and product lines to come.
Rio Grande Games Continues Tradition – Gen Con Co-Sponsor Rio Grande Games continues its tradition of offering players the chance to learn and play are their new games including Dominion: Empires, the latest expansion, along with all other Dominion games.
Gen Con 2016 Charity Partner The PourHouse – Gen Con has partnered with The PourHouse, a local charity to Indianapolis. The PourHouse, which opened in 2004, provides street outreach and peer advocacy for individuals experiencing homelessness in Indianapolis. In 2015, Gen Con’s programming generated more than $40,000 for the 2015 Charity Partner, The Julian Center.
Georgia Street Experience – Georgia St. will be filled with food and activities with more than 40 food trucks, the Sun King Brewery Beer Garden, Hot Box Pizza food area, games, and more.
31st Annual Costume Contest – The best and most creative costumes will be on display for all to see. Numerous awards will be bestowed across a wide swath of categories during the 31st Annual Costume Contest beginning Saturday, August 6 at 3:30 pm with the pre-show.
Author’s Avenue, Art Show, and Artist’s Avenue – Earlier this year, Gen Con announced the Author Guest of Honor, Robin Hobb¸ who will be signing books in the book signing area of the Exhibit Hall. Artist Tyler Jacobson has been selected as the Gen Con 2016 Artist Guest of Honor. Jacobson’s credits include illustration for games such as Dungeons & Dragons and Magic: The Gathering. More than 80 artists will take part in the annual Gen Con Art Show, and prints and original artwork will be available for purchase from many participating artists in the Exhibit Hall
Film Festival – Filmmakers from around the world gather to compete in the Gen Con Film Festival. Some travel from as far away as New Zealand and every other corner of the country for screenings, film panels, and a chance to win many coveted awards.
Puppet Program – In its second year, the puppet program has a variety of events for novice to professional puppeteers, including workshops on creating puppets, as well as beginning to advance puppeteering. The main event for this program is the Late Night Puppet Slam, an adult puppet comedy skit show.
Record Number of Sponsors and Media Partners – More companies are bringing dedicated events and event space to Gen Con 2016. This year features the following sponsors: Mayfair Games, Paizo Inc. Rio Grande Games, CoolStuffInc., Upper Deck Company, LLC., ACD Distribution, Breaking Games/Ad Magic, Spin Master Games, Czech Games Edition, The Pokémon Company International, Asmodée Éditions, Cards Against Humanity, CoolMiniOrNot, End Transmission Games, Fantasy Flight Games, Brotherwise Games, Dimension, Interactive Intelligence, Lone Shark Games, MegaCon Games, ODAM Publishing, Sun King Brewery, White Wizard, Games, Games & Gears, HotBox Pizza, Kickstarter, Offworld Designs Inc., Saltire Games, Scotty’s Brewhouse, The PourHouse, Yo-kai Watch, American Mensa Ltd., Do317, GeekDad, and Nuvo Inc.
Family Fun at Gen Con 2016
Family Fun Pavilion – This area of exhibitors highlights family friendly companies that will sell and demo games in their booths.
Training Grounds – The Training Grounds are the place to introduce kids to the gaming world and all its possibilities. The Training Grounds are most appropriate for kid’s ages 4-12 years old and are located in Hall K of the Exhibit Hall.
Family Fun Day, Sunday August 7 - There will be events specifically designed for family involvement, including face-painting and learn-to-play events, along with discounted badges.
Quotes about Gen Con
“After 13 years of hosting Gen Con, it’s clear that Indy gets Gen Con and Gen Con gets Indy. Gen Con is a one-of-a-kind cultural event that energizes our city and drives more than $67 million in annual economic activity. Central Indiana’s hospitality community is incredibly appreciative of our partnership with Gen Con and we are proud to be the home of the world’s longest-running and best-attended hobby gaming convention. We congratulate Gen Con’s leadership team on yet another year of record-setting attendance in Indy.” - Leonard Hoops, president & CEO of Visit Indy.
“Gen Con is an important contributor to Indy’s economy, and more importantly, a great partner organization. The entire city enjoys this convention, and I was delighted to once again welcome Gen Con to Indianapolis.” - Greg Ballard, Former Mayor of Indianapolis
“Gen Con gets bigger and better each year, and has become an annual homecoming for more than 60,000 gamers. This year, Paizo will host a slew of Gen Con-exclusive Pathfinder events and promotions, and we’re thrilled to return as Co-Sponsor of this must-attend event for game fans everywhere.” - Erik Mona, Paizo Publisher and Chief Creative Officer
About Gen Con
Gen Con, LLC produces the largest consumer hobby, fantasy, science fiction and adventure game convention in North America. Gen Con, The Best Four Days in Gaming!™. Acquired in 2002 by former CEO and founder of Wizards of the Coast, Peter Adkison, the company is headquartered in Seattle, Washington. Gen Con 2016 is sponsored by Mayfair Games, Paizo, Inc., and Rio Grande Games. For more information, visit www.gencon.com.
Media Contact:
Gen Con LLC
Stacia Kirby, (206) 363-1492
[email protected]
Members of the media are invited to apply for on-site press credentials through this link.