[GenCon 2004] Questions

[daMoose_Neo]

Is that a ten minute WALK?  Or are you assuming some sort of vehicular use?

Vehicular use, yes. If you have the wheels, saves a couple bucks on the rooms it does.

[Keith Senkowski]

Okay I have a couple of questions regarding GenCon Indy this year that may be a bit open ended butI can't think of any other way to ask them.  I think I should preface them by stating I plan on being a part of the Forge booth once the call for cash goes out and I have already booked my hotel room for the duration.

1.  What kind of stuff should I prepared for?  By this I mean problems and such.  My work has its own trade show so I have an understanding about what is needed for the host of such an event, but I am a bit clueless when it comes to the exhibitor.

2.  Is there some sort of unifying (sp?) factor that everyone at the Forge booth takes part off?  T-shirts of something, or a specific style of dress that is acceptable/unacceptable.  I have to wear a suit when I work our show and I realize that GenCon is a bit different than large meeting for chest physicians, but I was wondering if there is a professional standard or something (like no pants with holes in the crotch).

3.  What are the logistics like when we get there?  Is there going to be some sort of contact/meeting place so we can get set up?

4.  To add to that, what is set up like and what is needed from those of us that plan on being a part of the booth concerning set up?

5.  Do we do demos at the booth and stuff?  Should we work up some sort of sell sheet for the other people at the booth?

6.  How does money change hands?  If I remember correctly Ron collects the $100/200 from us through paypal, but how are things run on the show floor?  

I'm sure some of these questions are a bit early and may not have answers because there are mutiply answers, but any clarification would be appreciated.  Also, if there is something I should know that I didn't cover please let me know.  I'm sure I will have other questions as well one I'm done writing this.

Thanks in Advance
Keith

[Valamir]

Okay I have a couple of questions regarding GenCon Indy this year that may be a bit open ended butI can't think of any other way to ask them.  I think I should preface them by stating I plan on being a part of the Forge booth once the call for cash goes out and I have already booked my hotel room for the duration.

answers based on past years.  Likely but not necessarily relevant for this year.

1.  What kind of stuff should I prepared for?  By this I mean problems and such.  My work has its own trade show so I have an understanding about what is needed for the host of such an event, but I am a bit clueless when it comes to the exhibitor.

The booth doesn't take credit cards (except for companies represented by Tundra last year who provided us with the machine).  The collection of money and distribution of money has been a little bit of a free wheeling affair in the past, though we're working on some ideas for that.  

General booth rules...no loitering.  You're either demoing, pimping, working the cash box, or taking yourself elsewhere so as not to clog the booth.

You're expected to willingly and joyfully pimp all the games not just your own.

Courtesy and enthusiasm is a must.

2.  Is there some sort of unifying (sp?) factor that everyone at the Forge booth takes part off?  T-shirts of something, or a specific style of dress that is acceptable/unacceptable.  I have to wear a suit when I work our show and I realize that GenCon is a bit different than large meeting for chest physicians, but I was wondering if there is a professional standard or something (like no pants with holes in the crotch).

T shirts have been discussed.  There has not been any unifying dress in the past.  The dress code is...its a gamer con...but you are representing other peoples product...use good judgement.

3.  What are the logistics like when we get there?  Is there going to be some sort of contact/meeting place so we can get set up?

Logistics in the past were "cross your fingers and hope to get lucky".  I'm hoping that part is a little better organized this time around.

4.  To add to that, what is set up like and what is needed from those of us that plan on being a part of the booth concerning set up?

Set up is not a huge trade show type extravaganza but there is some work involved and some trial and error.  Its a group event for folks to pitch in on.

5.  Do we do demos at the booth and stuff?  Should we work up some sort of sell sheet for the other people at the booth?

Yes, try to keep demos short sweet and punchy.  Ideally you learn how to demo a couple other games as well.

Yes, sell sheets are a great idea.

6.  How does money change hands?  If I remember correctly Ron collects the $100/200 from us through paypal, but how are things run on the show floor?  

Last year we had a cash box with a dedicated someone working it and filling out reciepts.  No book should leave the booth unless the cash box person has recorded the sale.  Funds are split up at the end of each day.

Given the laborious process of splitting up the funds.  Paul had the idea of cutting of a "day" a couple of hours before close and departing the hall for a quiet hotel room to do the calculations.  Subsequent sales become part of the next days division.

Checks are doable but have to be made out individually to the individual companies.  I think last year Ron allowed checks for indie games to be made out to Adept and then the indies were paid out in cash, but I don't know if he intends to do the same.

[Nev the Deranged]

I haven't been able to get ahold of Ron via email, and I know he's rilly busy so rather then keep pestering him, I scrounged up my account here and voila! A GenCon thread. Yay.

So... I read over the thread but I'm still not clear on what's going on. I signed up for last year, ponied up for room sharing, and then had to bail at the last minute due to circumstances beyond my control. Needless to say I was not happy. I'm hoping not to repeat that this year.

So... if there's still room to join the booth monkey brigade, how do I go about that, and if there isn't, um... then I guess I don't have any questions and I'll just go about everything the usual way.

If this info has been posted elsewhere feel free to kick me in that direction.

Thankies!

NtD

[Lance D. Allen]

I'd also like to add my tenuous interest to joining the Forge booth. I'd like to pimp and sell ReCoil at GenCon, but this will be my first major Con, so finances are less than steady, and my time management is as well.

What's the deadline for joining up with the booth? Also, is there a limit to how many people are being accepted to work at the booth?

[Mike Holmes]

I really shouldn't tell anyone how it all works, it's not my place to say. What I can say is that the answers to your questions, Nev and Lance, have already been posted in this or other of the GenCon threads. Do a little more reasearch, and you'll find your answers.

Mike