The second stage of grief...
Know that many of us, including myself, feel the same way... I felt the same way when they cancelled Gary Con.
I don’t think an Origins/Gencon mix would work, because Columbus does not have the downtown hotel space that Indy has. And if you didn’t need that space, then the convention is too small to make it worth the risk to Gencon.
lets pretend it was up to gen con and wouldnt be stopped by the city and state. that still doesnt change the fact that we already knew exhibitors, event hosts and attendees had canceled. heck you could get a downtown hotel. and that was best case because many people were waiting but planning to probably cancel. its not gen con. its the rest of the world.
There are 7 pages of posts, so please forgive me if this question has already been addressed previously.
I chose to cancel my hotel and GenCon badge 1 month ago as there was no way I was travelling outside my country during a pandemic and prior to a vaccine. Since I had originally booked my hotel through the housing portal, am I now eligible to get my $50 back that was withheld?
It's already starting to sound like, unofficially, at least part of Gen Con's fan traditions will be transplanted to Origins.
Here's the kicker when it comes to Origins 2020, though: Columbus is a HUGE College Football city and that Saturday is a home game against Iowa. That means the Arena District and Short North will be more occupied with an important game for the Big Ten than a couple of thousand of nerds. Make sure whatever you want to do isn't relying upon Columbus being like Indianapolis, because Football is top priority for the city (and the state for that matter).
Mike
In short, Gen Con is important to me. My only regret is that I didn't take more photos along the way. Losing it this year is necessary, but still a gut punch. Thanks to all who put it on or help support it. We'll be back. Lastly, I've never read the forums here as thoroughly as I have this spring. Shout-out to the relentless positivity of so many of you including memorable posts by deathdwarf, lehane, tinabear81 and many, many more. Too many to list. I'd buy you a drink if I could get within 6ft. See you in 2021.
Everyone who had a hotel still in the system are havng them cancelled and notifications should go out soon.
You will not be charged a fee for it.
Anyone who cancelled on or after May 1st will have their fee returned.
I got the hotel email conformation of cancellation.
And I am sad...
G
I hope that Origins goes on in October and is highly successful though.
Origins online will happen before Gencon online. That too will give us an idea on participation rates and any platform issues/problems.
The email message from Gen Con said: You can donate the cost of your badge to help us weather the storm and come back strong for Gen Con 2021. Email [email protected] between May 26 and July 29 and include your name and Gen Con ID number if you'd like to pursue this option.
A sincere question: would this really make a difference to the Gen Con staff?
I work in a small company and have been hit hard by a business down turn, having cash reserves to operate on is very important just for day to day operations, just to keep the lights on.
I'm hoping there will be Gen Con branded items going up for sale, like maybe the Crystal Caste Dice sets, and the shirts and items from OffWorld designs. These are not sold by Gen Con but the movement of them should ( I suspect) help with keeping licensing fees going.
Gen Con is a huge event, but it's still only a small company.
If you can help with a purchase of their Brand or are willing to let your badge sit in the system credits for a year, it will help.
At the end of it what I'm trying to say is every bit helps.
I hope everyone out there stays safe, and that next year we have such a huge con that this will fade back in to a bad dream.
Much love to all the staff, workers and attendees of Gen Con.
Game On 2021!
Yeah, and they just hired some number of additional contractors this year to help with the event catalog, so likely this year actually had higher payroll than previous years, compounding the issue.
Hello,
First and foremost, a big thank you to all the GenCon staff. I imagine the past few months have been hell, stuck with a scenario with no winning moves and a chronic shortage of information. This would have been my second year, and I've got high hopes for 2021.
A question related to the merchandise sale link that has been posted up. It looks like there is a selection of current year items, as well as a selection of discounted items from prior years. Does the con itself get an equal taste of the action on those discounted items, or does the con's cut reduced? If I spend $50 of 2019/2018 gear, is that the same as buying $50 worth of 2020 gear in terms of cash in the con's pocket?
I hope people give the Online convention a shot, and help us make some history.
I look at it the opposite way: Gen Con is doing everything they can under the current climate, to bring us together, by organizing online events. Travel alone poses a risk for many who attend the conventions, and moving the Con to a new city raises a million more issues...and it looks like Origins cancelled 2020 anyway, so...