GenCon Survival Guide

GenCon is the largest Board Game focused convention in the Western hemisphere. In 2024 71,000 people attended the sold out convention. There are over 500 exhibitors and almost one million square feet of convention space. GenCon has come a long way since It all started in 1968 at Horticulture Hall in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin as The Lake Geneva Wargames Convention. I have been attending GenCon for over 25 years and I would like to go over what it takes to survive GenCon in my GenCon Survival Guide.

Gen Con, is the self proclaimed “best four days in gaming,” and they are not wrong it is an incredible experience for board game enthusiasts. GenCon can also be overwhelming if you’re not prepared. With 70,000 attendees, over 500 vendors, and more events than you can count(more than 25,000 events), it’s essential to plan ahead to survive. Here’s a short guide to help you navigate Gen Con.

...Leave time to decompress and eat, you need to eat.

Gen Con offers everything from play testing prototypes to massive TTRPG events. Use the event catalog to build a basic schedule, but leave time to decompress and eat, you need to eat. There is so much to see and you will not see it all. Make a list of new games you want to try and events you want to participate in well in advance. The event catalog opens up for signup months before the convention and with the convention selling out the last few years its important to signup early if you want a spot. Download the GenCon app before you go, it has maps to help you find your way GenCon is huge.

When you are at the convention bring a backpack or messenger bag with essentials: water bottle, snacks, hand sanitizer, portable phone charger, and maybe a travel-sized deodorant (seriously don't be that person). Don't forget to bring your prescriptions and OTC drugs like Advil or Pepto-Bismol. Marijuana is NOT legal in Indiana so leave that behind. There are a lot of water bottle fill stations around the convention center and you can also get reusable cups there if you forget. If you plan to buy games a bunch of games consider getting a board game bag (they make specific bags to tote your games around).

GenCon Exhibit hall

Gen Con is a community we are all quite friendly. Talk to people in line, join open play tables, and be open to spontaneous games. The foundation of a community is respect. So when you are at the convention respect peoples space, its going to be very crowded at times. If you have never been to a convention before there will be a lot of people in costumes or cosplay especially on Saturday when the costume contest and parade are. Its important to know that cosplay is not consent. Do not touch, harass or photograph( without asking). There is a place just outside the convention hall where cosplay folks gather to get their photo taken. be respectful.

There are literally hundreds of new games and thousands of others to buy at GenCon. You cannot buy them all. Budget yourself and do some research before you get there. figure out what you want to buy but also save some money for games that catch your eye in the dealer hall. You will need some food money. There is the GenCon Block party that has a ton of local restaurants, food trucks, Sun King brewery, and other treats. There are also a lot of great restaurants or fast food in the area.

GenCon Block Party

Find a quiet spot and decompress every so often, whether it’s a hallway, stepping outside and breathing in some fresh air, or the quiet room. Stepping away from the chaos helps you recharge and avoid burnout. GenCon is the definition of over stimulation. Do not forget to drink water, stay hydrated.

Gen Con is huge and you will do a lot of walking. Whether you’re there to buy, play, or pace yourself. By planning ahead and with a spirit of adventure, you will enjoy every moment from playing games or meeting new friends you will have memories to last a lifetime.

Bert's Tabletop games was provided a 4-day press pass to cover GenCon