Three weeks, and I'm off...to
Origins Game Fair (formerly, the Origins Game Expo) in Columbus, Ohio, at the Columbus Convention Center! A week of gaming euphoria!
2008 Game Fair - Origins Game Fair
Last year, I had myself scheduled out to the max...to the point where I was totally exhausted running from event to event. This year, I am allowing more flexibility.
You can buy something called a Ribbon, that allows you unlimited access to a specific element of the fair. For instance, I will be buying a "Boardroom Ribbon", which will allow me to game 24 hours a day each day of the fair, in the Boardroom. The Boardroom is indeed a room in the Convention Center, but actually spills out beyond, which is sponsored by the Columnbus Area Boardgaming Society (CABS)...and basically, you can sign out one of many games provided by CABS, or bring your own; and as long as you can hook up with players (seldom a problem), you can play to your heart's content!
There is also a Waroom Ribbon, that caters to Grognard games, such as Avalon Hill's Squad Leader; and a War College Ribbon, that allows unlimited attendance at the many seminars hosted by noted Historians, game developers, etc.
There are also many specific gaming events and tournaments, of which you purchase individual tickets to be able to participate in. This is where I went wrong last year. The trick is to find the specific games and tourneys you want to definitely play in, as well as the seminars you want to attend, and buy your Event tickets to reserve your spot at these individually. Supplement that with a Ribbon of your gaming choice (or both) to cover your non-scheduled time; and include plenty of time to play and buy in the Dealer's Hall, where there are thousands of games for sale and demo, as well as other merchandice from dice to tee shirts!
This is one cool show, and not to be missed if you can swing it. I'll be there...will you?