Gen Con, the prominent tabletop gaming convention based in Seattle, has recently confirmed that it will continue to call Indianapolis home for the foreseeable future. The convention has signed a four-year contract extension with Visit Indy, the city's tourism agency, solidifying its presence in Indianapolis until 2030.

This announcement comes on the heels of Gen Con's 20th event in the city, which saw a record-breaking attendance of over 70,000 visitors. The event took place at the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium, making it the most-attended gathering in Gen Con's history. The exact attendance figure for this year's event has yet to be released, but it is expected to surpass the previous record of around 70,000 attendees set in 2019.

Gen Con President David Hoppe expressed his excitement about the extension, stating that the convention has been calling Indianapolis home for the past 20 years and looks forward to continuing the partnership for at least another seven years.

Over the years, both Gen Con and Indianapolis have experienced significant growth together. The convention has grown more than threefold since its first event in the city in 2003, while Indianapolis has seen its skyline and convention scene expand considerably. City tourism officials credit conventions like Gen Con for contributing to the local economy's growth.

This year's Gen Con injected nearly $75 million into the Indianapolis economy through various channels, including restaurants, hotels, flights, and other economic factors.

The decision to extend the contract with Visit Indy was reached after two years of negotiations. Gen Con had also considered the possibility of moving the event to Chicago, but ultimately decided to remain in Indianapolis.

Last year, there were concerns that Gen Con might explore other options for host cities due to the Indiana General Assembly's introduction of Senate Bill 1, which imposed extensive limits on abortion. At the time, Hoppe mentioned that the legislation could have long-term implications for Gen Con's relationship with Indianapolis. However, in the latest announcement, Hoppe emphasized the convention's commitment to staying and standing up for its values.

Gen Con's executive leadership has not disclosed whether any stipulations were included in the contract that would allow for an early withdrawal. However, both Gen Con and Visit Indy seem pleased with the agreement, considering it a massive win for the city.

Gen Con enthusiasts can look forward to the next event in Indianapolis, scheduled for August 1-4, 2024, where they can continue to enjoy the exciting world of tabletop gaming.

A baffling mystery has unfolded at North America's biggest tabletop and role-playing gaming convention, Gen Con. Just before the 2023 Gen Con gaming conference kicked off at the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium in downtown Indianapolis, thieves managed to steal a pallet of gaming cards worth up to $300,000.

The daring theft took place on August 2, while vendors were setting up their displays at various times. Using a pallet jack, the thieves made off with the valuable cards, prompting an investigation by the Indianapolis Metro Police. Authorities are seeking information and have urged anyone with relevant details to contact Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317-262-8477(TIPS) to remain anonymous.

Gen Con, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary in Indy this year, attracts around 70,000 attendees who participate in a range of games and pop culture-related events throughout the weekend. The convention offers board games, card games, a film festival, and other activities catering to gamers and pop-culture enthusiasts.

Among the stolen cards are highly sought-after titles like "Magic: The Gathering", the Pokemon Trading Card Game, and the Disney Lorcana trading card game, all of which were slated for hyped releases and were showcased by exhibitors at Gen Con. Notably, Gen Con hosted the Disney Lorcana pre-release, drawing fans who waited in line for more than 16 hours to get their hands on the cards. The game's publisher had limited the number of packs and decks each fan could purchase at the event, making these stolen cards even more valuable.

While game card thefts have occurred before, this heist stands out due to its audacity. Craig Casares, assistant manager at Good Games, a board game store in Indianapolis, expressed surprise at the brazenness of the thieves. He noted that while thefts of individual decks or collections are more common, stealing an entire pallet from a setup area at Gen Con is a bold move that few would dare attempt.

This incident sheds light on the high-stakes nature of the gaming and collectible cards industry. It coincides with other notable events, such as rapper Post Malone's acquisition of a rare "Lord of the Rings" collectible card from "Magic: The Gathering", valued at over $2 million, and a legal battle between sports trading card company Panini America and rival platform Fanatics over alleged anticompetitive business practices.

As authorities continue their investigation into the stolen gaming cards, the gaming community remains vigilant, emphasizing the significance of these valuable items in the industry. In the midst of these developments, collectors can look forward to International Trading Card Day, where participating hobby stores will offer a free special five-card pack of Topps trading cards, featuring sets from various sports leagues and the popular Garbage Pail Kids series.

Welcome mortals, to the land of Ragnarock! Ruh Roh, metalheads are taking over the Gen Con mainstage

On Friday, August 4, 2023, the Indiana Convention Center welcomed attendees for the second day of Gen Con, North America's largest and longest-running tabletop gaming convention now celebrating its 20th year in Indianapolis. Excitement filled the venue as board game enthusiasts gathered to play various tabletop games and explore the numerous exhibits. From building structures with tabletop game cards to engaging in Star Wars-themed games, there was no shortage of fun and entertainment. Cosplayers also added to the vibrant atmosphere, posing for photos and showcasing their impressive costumes. Gen Con 2023 proved to be an immersive and thrilling experience for attendees of all ages, with a plethora of gaming options and activities to enjoy.

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70,000+ board game enthusiasts have boarded a flight and landed in Indy for GenCon 2023 and we're excited to welcome them. From gaming tables in the terminal to themed music, we've got lots of ways for you to continue the adventure at IND.

Come taste the official beer of Gen Con 2023 and get the first taste of some of our food vendors!

Gen Con Officially starts tomorrow! But get the party started early, join us on South Street for the Sun King Brewery tapping party tonight at 5 pm.

This year's Trade Day is set to be a blockbuster, featuring a jam-packed schedule of 70 events hosted by top-tier companies. The panels will cater to the education needs of retailers, educators, librarians, and other professionals in the games industry. A new addition this year is the Trade Day Marketplace, running from 9:30 am to 5 pm, offering retailers the opportunity to engage in one-on-one discussions with featured exhibitors. Among the prominent exhibitors are Games Workshop, FanRoll by Metallic Dice Games, Lucky Duck Games, and PSi.

Highlight Events at Trade Day:

1. Bringing NASA Science and Technology Down to Earth (Game2learn, LLC; 10 AM EDT)Join an enthralling journey that explores how NASA's groundbreaking advancements in science and technology are brought down to Earth through games and apps.
2. Gaming in Libraries: Bridging the Gap (Kent District Library; 10 AM EDT)Discover the potential of gaming as a bridge to reduce educational disparities among young adults, emphasizing the promotion of literacy and fostering social and emotional growth.
3. Rowan, Rook & Decard Product Showcase (Rowan, Rook & Decard; 10 AM EDT)Explore the cool products and why they are a must-have for your store or location.
4. To Boldly Go: Star Trek & Child Development (Crowder College; 11 AM EDT)Uncover how Star Trek and other sci-fi storytelling contribute to a child's psychological development through the captivating experiences of "story" and "play."
5. 10 Years of Boss Monster (Brotherwise Games; 1:00 PM EDT)Celebrate the enduring success of the hit dungeon-building card game, Boss Monster, and get a glimpse of what's in store for the Boss Monster universe.
6. Dire Wolf Digital Trade Day Seminar (Dire Wolf; 1:00 PM EDT)Join this presentation to learn about the FLGS+ program and the captivating catalog of board games and tabletop RPGs from Dire Wolf.
7. Top Games for Total Class & Small Group Instruction (Dr. David Niecikowski; 1:00 PM EDT)Dr. Niecikowski shares his top recommended games for total class and small group instruction, backed by 27 years of classroom and gifted education teaching.
8. What's Hot at Funko Games (Funko Games; 3:00 PM)Get the inside scoop from Funko Games on the latest and hottest releases in 2023, and a sneak peek at what they have in store for the holiday season and beyond!
9. Hachette's Studios, Releases, & Resources (Hachette Boardgames; 4:00 PM EDT)Meet Hachette Boardgames USA's eight diverse studios, get insights into their upcoming releases for Q3 and Q4 (and possibly early 2024!), and take advantage of their valuable retailer resources.

Furthermore, one of the most anticipated events, the ICv2 White Paper Presentation, will take place at 4:00 PM EDT on Trade Day. ICv2 CEO Milton Griepp will present market data on the hobby games business, including market size estimates and top product groupings in CCGs, Minis, Board and Card Games, and RPGs.

This year's Trade Day promises to be an exceptional opportunity for learning, networking, and discovering exciting new prospects in the world of games and entertainment. Don't miss out on this exhilarating event!

Will Call will be opening at 10 am tomorrow instead of noon!

This morning Gen Con President, David Hoppe, took part in the groundbreaking on Pan Am Plaza! This will be the site of a new hotel coming to downtown Indy!

IN THE GAYME ROOM: ICC 120 or ON COMMUNITY ROW: OUTSIDE SAGAMORE BALLROM and IN: JW GRIFFIN HALL