Gen Con LLC has extended its contract in Indianapolis for one year; the show is now committed to stay in Indianapolis through 2021.  The company had previously been contracted through 2020, but had begun investigating alternatives last year after the passage of the “Religious Freedom Restoration Act” in Indiana, which affected the ability of businesses to discriminate against LGBT people on religious grounds (see “Gen Con in Indy Until 2020”).  A bill that softened the effects of the RFRA was subsequently passed, and Gen Con organizers have now extended the period during which the show will be held in Indianapolis for one year. 

Gen Con CEO Adrian Swartout, who sent a letter to Indiana governor Mike Pence opposing the RFRA, lauded Indianapolis’ hospitality in her statement.  “Indianapolis has warmly welcomed Gen Con with its Hoosier hospitality for more than a decade, and we appreciate the city’s commitment to making all of our guests feel at home,” she said.  

Next year is a big one for the show, its 50th Anniversary.  This year was roughly flat vs. 2015 (uniques down, turnstile up, see “Gen Con Attendance Flat Vs. Last Year”), with more space and more exhibitors (see “Gen Con Takes Over More of Downtown Indianapolis”