What are wargame show like?

[Parrot]

I think I wold like to attend a wargame show next year when I might have the chance.  But I don't know anything about them.  I have seen references to a show called crisis that is coming up I think?  I know Salute is a show in London and historicon is a show in the US.  But having never been I do not know what to expect.  Are these shows mostly local people who happen to live close enough to where it is taking place?  Do people travel long distances to go?  I assume they are open to the public and are not closed trade shows?  Companies bring products to sell?  Who puts them on?  Are they sponsored by game companies?  I would like to know a bit more before I start making plans.

[rob_the_robgoblin]

I would probably suggest starting locally.

Crisis, Salute and Historicon are all shows that are open to the public, have people travel fairly long distances and that host companies with products to sell.

It varies who puts them on, most are by Gaming Clubs or communities, but there are one or two that are sponsored by particular companies (both events organisation ones (i.e. UK Games Expo) or private ones).

The only closed trade show that I know of is GAMA in the USA.

I should point out that (from my experience):

UK Shows are very trade driven. You can play games though, there are generally lots of participation games, but there is nothing wrong with going with a shopping list and not playing a single game. It's quite normal, in fact! They are normally one day and, again personal experience only, 2 day shows are never really worth attending both days unless you forgot to buy something. Salute is incredibly exciting!

USA Shows are the result of tonnes of planning by teams, some of them are employed all year just for that show (GenCon). The shows tend to focus on tournaments, with a small, selective group of traders available. From my experience, they are about the community more than shopping, but you'll come away with a lot of free samples (goodie bags). It's worth getting involved in the tournaments and games at these shows. It's worth attending for the full length of the show (they are usually at least 3 days!) simply for the spectacle of it all.

Mainland European Shows tend to be more Game driven than purchase driven. You'll also find not much in the way of 'Wargame Shows'. Wargaming will be a part of it, but the main focus will be boardgames, card games, even computer games. That said, they usually have a wide variety of traders available. Essen Spiel is a fantastic trade fair, but for wargamers, it's slim pickings. Gothcon in Sweden is an old school game fair, where people go to play games, but has only 5 or 6 traders.

[zemjw]

The ones I attend (and I think most) are usually put on by the local wargames club. That's not to say they're small events, far from it.

If you have a rummage around the exhibitions subforum - http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?board=31.0 you'll find loads of pictures from various shows.

From my own experience - Caronade and Claymore - the events are held in the games halls of a secondary school and college respectively. You wander around trade stands buying things you didn't know you needed (or that even existed). There are a mix of display and participation games (although I never play any) and people are generally very friendly. It can get very crowded, so patience is required.

There are bits that sell food, although the quality is generally not great. There have also been issues in the past of the sort that you get when people don't shower as often as they should. However, in recent years this has got better, possibly because more women and kids are attending the shows.

They generally run from about 10am to 5pm. I try to get there for it opening, and usually call it quits after lunch (it's amazing how quickly the money disappears at these events. No matter how much you think you'll spent, take at least 50% more )

You don't say where you are, but I'd start with a local one if I were you. At least that way, if it's rubbish you can be home in a few hours

[Cubs]

Smelly.

[Captain Blood]

...and in the UK at any rate, mostly remarkably similar.
Very often with the same set of traders and the same demo games, over and over.

[6milPhil]

Have a google for those show names with the word "photos" or "pictures" added it'll give you an idea of what's going on.

Don't be shy, go to one. Whereabouts are you?

[Tactalvanic]

Have a google for those show names with the word "photos" or "pictures" added it'll give you an idea of what's going on.

Don't be shy, go to one. Whereabouts are you?

+1 that,

find one as local as you can and give it a try, the other attendees may or may not be smelly, but they normally don't bite (much) and there should be enough going on for you to find something you like.

Then maybe start looking at some of the larger events later. Get used to your local first 

[Cubs]

but they normally don't bite (much) and there should be enough going on for you to find something you like.

I was frantically nibbled at Penarth's 'Crusade' ... my cuffs have never recovered.

But yeah, shows are pretty good fun (if terrible for those impulse purchases) and I enjoy finding that the people behind my favourite games and models are actually human beings who like to chat and are easily bribed into gossip with a variety of snacks and beverages.

[WillieB]

Perhaps a bit late but Crisis is this weekend (November 7th) in Antwerp, Belgium.
100+ traders and 50+ games, many of those participation and almost exclusively table top miniatures.

This one is hosted by our club, the Tin Soldiers of Antwerp, and you would be very welcome to attend of course!

Willie

link to our site

http://www.tsoa.be/

[Momotaro]

Since there are so many traders, the short answer is usually "expensive".  Time was when you were limited to the money you brought to the show - those days are long gone

Smaller shows are a great chance to catch up with people you know, or make new friends.  Take the time to have a chat with your favourite manufacturer, or stop at a demo or participation game.  You may find your favourite game's author there - don't be shy.  Or catch up with folks from here.

Smaller shows are often less mad than the bigger ones.  Hammerhead at Newark is good - spacious with lots of participation games.  Partizan (also at Newark) is probably moving to the same venue next year, and I look forward to it with more space and better lighting.  As the "local" cons for Nottingham, you'll see a lot of wargaming "stars" there.  There's Cannonade at Retford, which also sounds ace but I've never been.

Food is almost universally terrible and often expensive.

The clientele used to be purely Geek Central (self included), but I see a lot of families at shows these days.

[Chuckaroobob]

Historicon is the biggest show in the US, there are tournaments and huge numbers (400+) of participation games as well as flea markets and the dealer hall.  It's 4 days long although Sunday is usually only half a day. It's one hour south of Washington DC next year.
I attend it every year, along with 2000-3000 other gamers. I would highly recommend attending.