"Any interest in a small games day in Hamilton, Ontario?" Topic

After speaking to several people at Hold the Line on the 20th, I'm wondering if there's some interest in a small games day. I know we use to have MigsCon here in Hamilton, and it was well attended when I was there, but since its demise, there doesn't seem to be a lot happening in the Golden Horseshoe compared to the population base.

Hamilton is geographically central to much of the Ontario population and we have a lot of small to mid-size venues. I'm happy to do some leg work and find something that would work, but is there much interest?

Is the gaming market adequately served in Ontario, are 1 day conventions just not as popular as weekend conventions?

Any thoughts? Am I missing something?

First off,
my email Address is stephen.thomson81(AT)gmail(DOT)com. now you have my contact info! problem solved.

doing a small games day shouldn't be that hard. you just need to scout out a venue with a reasonable price point.

Small is the way to start. Not a lot of capital investment, not a huge amount of work(compared to a weekend convention).

interest and advertising are a bit harder. Ontario is a surprisingly fractured community. sure, there are some very communicative and visible gaming groups, but Hamilton, Burlington, and Toronto are ridiculously unconnected. Hold the line did a way better then average job of advertising(compared to other Ontario conventions) and there were still people you'd talk to who would say they've never heard of it.

shoot me an email and we can discuss it further.

You set it up and I will be there Barnaby!
If you need any help, I organised HotLead and KegsCon
Just let me know

I'd be interested. Either to help or just to attend.

danabbott32@yahoo.com

Fond memories of MigsCon and the Royal Connaught Hotel many years past.

I'm in Peterborough but I'd try to make it, made HtL for a day and you're just another 30-45 minutes past that.

I agree on starting small and getting the word out. Even some of the guys in my regular groups in Scarborough and Pickering didn't know about HtL – and I'd spent the spring talking it up. I think there's a cohort of gamers who just avoid the online miniatures community (they spend all night playing World of Tanks, so I know they're online).

Chris

I used to be on the organizing committee back in the day when MIGSCON could draw 400-500 people. Organization, communication, and promotion were central to its success. A corps of dedicated volunteers, recruited mostly from club members and friends, was also key. Brian Lewis worked tirelessly to keep everyone on task (and thanks for that!) Those were some really good cons!
I am convinced the gaming population in the Golden Horseshoe is still there. I'd definitely be interested in another con in Hamilton. Can't organize but could certainly be a game master. If you are serious about this, may I suggest you look at a time in the year that does not conflict with Hot Lead, Kegscon, and Hold the Line. I am not sure what is happening to revive Council Fires, but you may want to reach out to them before proceeding.
Good luck!

"Fond memories of MigsCon and the Royal Connaught Hotel many years past."

Right on, my friend. Those were the days!

Bit of an update.

After being geared around by a venue, it looks like we might be on to something that's not too expensive and pretty well situated.

I'm thinking of a May 2016 date. Just posted a while ago to see if there's any major conflicts.

If anyone has tried contacting me, I have had an odd issue with my gmail, so if you are waiting on me, mail me again please.

I will keep you guys posted.

Cheers.

There is still a small, active community at MIGS in Hamilton so we'd be likely to pitch in and help get things off the ground again. Perhaps even starting in 2016 with a games day at the MIGS club house.

Marcus – Good to hear from you. What is the besy way to contact you so we can work out some details?

Cheers!

Sorry for going off topic, but is Brian Lewis still around these days? I was a member of MIGS back in the late 80's and early 90's.

Cheers, Dean.