SEATTLE -- Aug. 1, 2003 -- More Than 25,000 Gamers Descended on Indianapolis Last Weekend For The Best Four Days In Gaming! Gen Con LLC Announces Launch of New Show, Gen Con So Cal, to Kick Off In Anaheim, CA December 11 - 14, 2003.
Gen Con Indy, also known as The Best Four Days In Gaming(TM), debuted last weekend in Indianapolis to enthusiastic approval from it's attendees numbering more than 25,000, jumping up from 23,000 year over year. These numbers are still un-audited and official attendance numbers will be available in the coming weeks.
"We are absolutely thrilled," says Peter Adkison, CEO of Gen Con, LLC. "We weren't quite sure what to expect by moving the convention from its Wisconsin home of 35 years, but the fans of the show, the exhibitors, the city of Indianapolis, and everyone else involved really came together to make this the biggest and best Gen Con ever," says Peter Adkison, Gen Con, LLC CEO. "We had a great time and can't wait to bring Gen Con back to Indy for many years to come."
Notables from Gen Con Indy 2003:
- Gen Con, LLC CEO Peter Adkison was awarded the Key to the City of Indianapolis on Thursday night by Chief Deputy Mayor Michael O'Connor.
- A Gen Con baby was born! Gen Con's youngest volunteer started their trek into the world in the trading card game hall where mom was volunteering.
- Several downtown restaurants completely ran out of food on Saturday evening and had to close down for the remainder of the weekend.
- With more new product introductions than any other show, and a wealth of downtown Indy establishments to choose from, the cash was flying and soon, most ATM's within a couple of blocks of the convention center ran out of money by Saturday.
- Many of the convention's exhibitors experienced significantly greater sales than ever at Gen Con before.
Gen Con Indy will return to Indianapolis, IN August 2004.
In further Gen Con news, Gen Con, LLC is very excited to officially announce the launch of a brand new show -- Gen Con So Cal. Gen Con So Cal will bring the same caliber of gaming to the Southern California market with Gen Con favorites such as a the always highly-anticipated exhibit hall, art show, computer gaming LAN area, and lots of hobby gaming. Gen Con So Cal is scheduled to take place at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, CA on December 11-14, 2003.
Says Adkison, "We took a look at where Gen Con attendees were coming from and noticed there is a large contingent that comes in from the west coast. With the large majority of electronic gaming companies coming from California, the amount of fans in the area, and the lack of a hobby gaming convention during that time, we think it will be a great location for our new show!"
For more information on Gen Con Indy or Gen Con So Cal, please visit us on the web at www.gencon.com.
About Gen Con
Gen Con, LLC and The Best Four Days in Gaming(TM) are wholly owned by Peter Adkison, former CEO and founder of Wizards of the Coast. Now in its 36th year, Gen Con Indy has become the largest annual consumer fantasy, sci-fi and adventure game convention in North America. Each year, game enthusiasts converge to share a common enthusiasm and a long weekend of interactive play, to participate in hobby-related events and meet celebrity guests. With more than 23,000 attendees each year and more new product introductions than any other consumer game convention in the U.S., Gen Con is an annual destination for fans of adventure games, fantasy and science fiction. This year marks Gen Con's debut in Indianapolis, IN.
