"Can a national mini gaming con even exist?" Topic

John the OFM

" … wedged in the groin of the Greater Wilkes Barre/Scranton megalopolis."

Don't worry about gaming, I want to hear how to get wedged in a groin!

Cheers,

Glynn

Who's going to stuff an N-Trak modeule or two in the back of his Subaru and drive…

Oh, yeah: they really do that, don't they?

Allen

Allem. What if they hit a bump, or drive over some REAL tracks? All their trains will fall off!

I want to hear how to get wedged in a groin!

No you don't. Trust me.

Holding an historical miniatures convention in Las Vegas, Nevada would be like .. like .. like having a motorcycle rally in Sturgis, South Dakota – who would go all the way there? I mean let's hail a black cab for a ride to real street, who in the Hell would ride their bike into a nowhere venue like Sturgis, South Dakota?

Or Laughlin, Nevada? Nothing there but a piece of river, casinos, and mostly nekkid wimmen. Which is two advantges over Sturgis, if truth be told. But it draws 'em, too.

Allen

There's also all those people that drive from all parts of the country and fly in from other countries to dress up in armor and hit each other with sticks near Slippery Rock, PA like I used to do. They sure are well organized though.
sca.org/docs/index.html

Of course they're a matured hobby that has had several decades to evolve and develop a robust infrastructure. Perhaps we should give it another decade or two to see where we are. I hope to still be gaming with my local buddies, hitting a few conventions a year and that will be good enough.

We never drove farther than from Texas to go to Pennsic. But then, it was on the way home…

I have to apologize to John, though, for getting him all riled up by suggesting Vegas. I really did think that the Powers That Be ultimately were intent on associating the cons with The City That Never Sleeps. It must have been Atlantic City they meant.

Allen

What's all this stuff about casinos, Allen?
the few times I was in a casino, I lamented how many figures my losses would have bought.
I have a casino 4 miles from my house (Mohegan Sun Pocono Downs) and another one 45 miles (Mount Airy Lodge). Another is coming to Easton.
I don't intend to go to any of them.

I hear the food is pretty good at MSPD, though.

John the OFM 08 Nov 2009 5:36 p.m. PST
What's all this stuff about casinos, Allen?
the few times I was in a casino, I lamented how many figures my losses would have bought.
I have a casino 4 miles from my house (Mohegan Sun Pocono downs) and another one 45 miles (Mount Airy Lodge). Another is coming to Easton.
I don't intend to go to any of them.

Give that man a cigar! I can't throw a rock without hitting a casino of some type. I don't go in them, not even for a look see. All my expenses are calculated in miniatures, I've been on the lead/pewter standard for decades.

"What's all this stuff about casinos, Allen?"

Well, John, it all came about because for some time now, some folks apparently have been considering HMGS to be part of the "Gambling and Casinos" industry. We call it "Gaming" out here, because our Mafia guys got respectable, you see.

I'm not kidding:

link

Now none of *us* would be so bold as to equate HMGS with that industry, or the HMGS BOD with… OK, better not go there. But some folks apparently do. What can I say? It's very confusing.

Allen

so Panzeri says the hmgs Industry classification is Gambling & Casinos.

Is that fraudulent, since he is making that statement as a member of the board? Or just resume puffery?

Someone make images of that web page before its gone…

To answer that question, one would have to answer this one first; Who would really go to a National Con?

I would, if it were well run and offered a variety of gaming experiences over several days, and were in an attractive locale. Which takes us back to the original question, which also postulated a very specific set of requirements— that the local be attractive to all members of the family, so that the con could be a family friendly destination. (Which IMHO rules out Las Vegas— I've been there. And I wouldn't take kids.)

For family-friendly destinations with appeal to kids and non-gaming spouses (and cover a variety of tastes), I would suggest Atlanta (shopping, museums, amusement), Orlando (amusement), Pigeon Forge (yeah, it's tacky, but again, shopping, amusement & the mountains), Asheville (Biltmore House, mountains, outdoor activities), Nashville (see above), Chicago area, or anyplace near amusement parks, beaches, or other family tourist sites (casinos are not family tourist sites, IMHO). Think Six Flags, Kentucky Kingdom, Carowinds, Bush Gardens, etc…
If it can add nearby battle sites maintained as state or national parks, all the better.
(Of course, I'm assuming that adequate convention space is present).

I'm intrigued by the possibility of a rotating national con with high-interest locations. That might be doable.

I'm also a member of a writers' organization that hosts two national conventions each year; one in LA, one in NYC. Perhaps a similar concept would work.

But I do have to admit that any con will have to be within driving distance for me. I can do some extended driving— even a night's stay in between— but I'm not going to pay for plane tickets and certainly not shipping for my miniatures.

(As an interesting side note, this also assumes families/spouses that are good with one or more members spending the "family" vacation at the convention while the remainder essentially "fend for themselves.")

>a very specific set of requirements— that the local be attractive to all members of the family, so that the con could be a family friendly destination.
>

A presumption that is wrong. I'm not going to spend extra $$$ on a tourist destination.