Gen Con has announced its programming for Gen Con Trade Day, which will begin on Wednesday, August 15th, the day before the opening of the Gen Con consumer show.  The programming will consist of a Wednesday afternoon retailer track, a Wednesday afternoon librarian/educator track, a Future of Games panel of interest not only to the trade but also to publishers/manufacturers, an opening night reception for GCTD attendees and exhibitors, retailer focus groups for manufacturers, follow-up events for retailers, and a rights mixer on Thursday night.

 

Wednesday afternoon programming for retailers, which will kick off at 1 p.m. on August 15th, includes the following seminars:

 

Hidden Secrets of the Internet

Presented by Jim Bruso and Jon Huston

PowerSellers, e-commerce, Search Engine Optimization, URL design, and Google page ranking.  Bruso and Huston, Internet game sales experts, will decipher these and other techniques to help you in marketing your game store and increasing your sales.  Whether it is disposing of unwanted inventory or free advertising for your game tournaments, these game masters will give you the answers you need.  Including a Q&A session.

 

Buyer's Training Session

Presented by Dave Wallace

Good buying is more than 'order one of each, two if it's D&D.'  Succesful chain retailer, author, and acclaimed seminar leader Wallace will discuss understanding and putting into plain language those buying decisions that form a basis for sound purchasing, lessons that can be used on the floor of Gen Con, the largest game show in North America, over the following days.  Follow-up discussions in the GAMA-sponsored Retailer Lounge on Thursday and Friday afternoons will give retailers an opportunity to share information and opinions on the products and companies on the Gen Con exhibitor floor. 

 

Location, Location, Negotiations

Presented by Dave Wallace

It's been said that the three most important things for any business is 'location, location, and location.'  A great location is made even better by a great lease.  Wallace will cover how to balance location, costs and traffic, and the pitfalls of commercial leasing to better prepare you to go after that great location.

 

The Future of Games

Panel with Peter Adkison, CEO of Hidden City Games; Randy Buehler, VP, Wizards of the Coast; Greg Goldstein, VP, Upper Deck; and additional panelists to be named later.

Executive panelists from a mix of tabletop and electronic game backgrounds discuss the recent trends in their industries, the ways in which some of the lines between the tabletop and videogame categories are blurring, and what that means for the future of both.

 

 

Wednesday afternoon programming for educators and librarians, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. August 15th:

 

Increase K-12 Students' Academic & Social Achievement with Board & Card Games

Presented by David Niecikowski (MAED/CI) and Faith Felice (MAT)

A hands-on presentation where you will play the best board and card games from all major subject areas that:

  • Foster positive classroom, school, family, and community relationships;
  • Develop lifelong and appropriate social skills and work skills; and
  • Make motivational classroom, enrichment, and intervention tools for children of all backgrounds and ability levels.

 

Major topics and discussion include:

  • Connecting board and card games with state standards and life skills;
  • Teaching games using recommended and modeled approaches;
  • Identifying and promoting appropriate behaviors for a successful game and learning experience;
  • Determining and practicing strategies that foster lifelong social and work skills;
  • Modifying games to increase or decrease difficulty and meet school site/time limitations; and
  • Exploring game delivery structures and diagnostic tool strategies.  

 

 

5 p.m. Wednesday, August 15th:  Opening Night Reception

A cocktail reception where Gen Con Trade Day attendees, panelists, and Gen Con exhibitors can meet and mingle on the eve of the show.

 

Exclusive early exhibit hall access for Gen Con Trade Day attendees!

10 a.m. Thursday, August 16th -- GCTD attendees will receive access to the massive Gen Con exhibit hall prior to its opening to consumers. 

 

Retailer Lounge, sponsored by GAMA

Retailer lounge-network with retailer peers all day, and review the floor's hottest products at 4 p.m.

 

Rights Mixer

6 p.m. Thursday, August 16th

Game companies, international buyers, licensors, and licensees meet and mingle at an exclusive industry event.