FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
INDIANAPOLIS (December 13, 2018) Gen Con, the largest and longest-running tabletop game convention in North America, has chosen Game to Grow and Special Olympics Indiana as its Official Charity Partners for 2019. Since moving to Indianapolis in 2003, the annual convention has raised more than $300,000 for its charity partners.
“We are proud to partner with these two worthy organizations, who share a core belief with our attendees: the idea that coming together around a shared passion can build community, provide opportunity, and enrich lives,” said David Hoppe, president of Gen Con.
As part of this agreement, both organizations will receive proceeds from Gen Con’s 2019 fundraising efforts, including longstanding charity events such as an auction, a balloon sculpture, and the popular “Cardhalla,” a mass destruction of giant playing card structures.
“Like sports, the games celebrated by Gen Con have the power to unite and to break down barriers while providing outlets for creativity, competition, and joy,” said Scott Furnish, senior director of development at Special Olympics Indiana. “Special Olympics exists to provide similar opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities, both on and off the playing field. As we commemorate 50 years of changing lives in Indiana through the transformative power of sports, we are proud to partner with Gen Con and thrilled to be featured as an official Charity Partner for the 2019 Convention.”
Gen Con held its 51st annual convention in 2018, attracting over 60,000 attendees and 520 exhibiting companies. The event’s diverse programming, including more than 17,000 individual ticketed events, encompasses the Indiana Convention Center, Lucas Oil Stadium, outdoor activations on Georgia St. and South St., and many surrounding downtown hotels.
“Gen Con is a perfect example of how games can build and strengthen community,” said Adam Davis, Executive Director of Game to Grow. “Game to Grow’s services, using RPGs to help kids and teens build social skills, is built on the amazing power of games not only to develop and reinforce friendships, but also to help us as individuals to learn, grow, and change. We are honored to be partnering with Gen Con, as it will allow us to help more kids and families and serve our mission to raise awareness about the life-enriching power of intentional gaming.”
Gen Con returns to Indianapolis August 1-4, 2019. Badges will go on sale on January 13, 2019.
About Gen Con LLC
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!™. Founded in 1968 and acquired in 2002 by founder and former CEO of Wizards of the Coast, Peter Adkison, the company is headquartered in Seattle and takes place each August in Indianapolis.
About Special Olympics Indiana
Special Olympics Indiana is a nonprofit organization that is a part of the global Special Olympics movement, using sport, health, education, and leadership programs every day around the world to end discrimination against and empower people with intellectual disabilities. Founded in 1969, Special Olympics Indiana has grown to more than 16,000 athletes and unified partners in virtually every county throughout the state. With the support of nearly 10,000 coaches and volunteers, Special Olympics Indiana provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in more than 20 Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities at no cost to the participants. Learn more by visiting www.soindiana.org.
About Game to Grow
Game to Grow is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 2017 on the belief that games of all kinds have the power to improve people’s lives. Game to Grow’s weekly therapeutic social skills groups help young people become more confident, creative, and socially capable using tabletop games, most notably Dungeons and Dragons. The founders and lead facilitators Adam Davis and Adam Johns use their years of experience in couple and family therapy, drama therapy, and education to promote social growth among youth in a fun, safe environment. Game to Grow also works to spread the intentional application of games by traveling to speak at public conventions and academic conferences. The founders provide training and consultation services so that other therapists, educators, and community organizers can use the beneficial power of intentional gaming in their own communities, around the country and around the world.
Media Contact for Gen Con LLC
Stacia Kirby, (206) 363-1492, [email protected]