Okay, this is probably a stupid question, but I've never registered for events at GenCon before. This year I'd like to get in on some games and whatnot, so I've been poking around their site trying to figure out how it works. The conclusion I have come to so far is that "event submission" that is ending this week is for people who are *running* events, and therefore the actual list of events to register for probably won't be available for, what, a week? a month? When does actual registration usually open?

Oh, also, I know that I have to have a badge to register for events, but I should be able to at least skim the listings before registering, right?

Do they send you an event catalog with your badge? Obviously they must not have printed those yet.

Like I said, stupid questions.  Just wanted to double check with more con-savvy folks so I'm not missing something obvious.

Event registration typically opens roughly a month after submissions are closed, so look for them around May 1.  If you have a login at the site and let them, they'll notify you by e-mail ahead of time.

The event listing will be available in a few electronic versions on-line before registration opens.  Maybe a week ahead?  Yes, as long as you have a log-in to the site, you can browse the listings without purchasing a badge.

Event catalogues are not printed until fairly late in the game, I imagine, and aren't available until the con starts.

James

James has it right.  Last year they had an excel format event catalog that was pretty useful, because it let you sort the events by game type, time period, etc, to sort out what events you want to register for.

Things fill up FAST, by the way, so if you really want to sign up for things, its a good idea to figure out exactly when registration goes live and take a bit of time off work that day, like I do, to frantically register for things I want to play.  Or you can do what my friend Piers does and just show up with a wad of generic tickets at the convention and wander around getting in wherever you can.  It seems to work for him.  The G.O.D. tables make this MUCH easier, I think.

One other thing; if you are going with a friend, consider registering for events two at a time.  Each person can get two tickets per event, and if one person does the registration you will find out immediately if you can both get in or not.

Hm, thanks for the tips, guys!