Gen Con has listed the speakers and panelists for Gen Con Trade Day on its Website, and the line-up is impressive. Programming has been expanded this year (see “GCTD Programming Expands in Second Year”), and includes multiple options for retailers, plus tracks for educators, librarians, and game companies. Pre-registration for the event has closed, but attendees can register on-site with no fear that any will be turned away.
Retailers
Retailer programming begins at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, August 13th, with a panel discussion on POS systems and runs throughout the day. The sessions, panelists and speakers are:
10:00 a.m.: POS Panel
Retailers with varying successful POS strategies talk about how they use (or don’t use) POS systems to track inventory, do purchasing, monitor shrink, and perform other important functions in their stores.
John Mansfield, Owner, Pendragon Games and Hobbies
Rich Waldbiesser, Owner, Six Feet Under Games
Dave Wallace, CEO, Troll and Toad; Owner, Fantasy Shop Comics and Games
Aaron Witten, Gamestation
11:00 a.m.: The Future of Collectible Games
Game company execs and retailers discuss this key category and what strategies are working, which ones are changing, and where this category is going in the coming years.
Jon Huston, Owner, Troll and Toad
John Mansfield, Owner, Pendragon Games and Hobbies
Jake Theis, Brand Manager, WizKids Games
11:00 a.m.: You Don’t Have to Work Forever
This session will cover retirement plans for small businesses such as game retailers, covering the topics of: Why have a retirement plan; What plans are appropriate for the individual business owner; Small companies can have big retirement plans; and Choosing the right retirement plan. Littrell will be there to inform and counsel, not sell you anything.
Will Littrell, Accredited Asset Management Specialist, Wachovia (formerly WizKids employee #13)
1:00 p.m.: Board Game Bonanza
Retailers and game company execs talk about the explosion of this category in hobby stores, directions for 2008, and best strategies for continuing growth.
Bob Carty,Vice President—Sales and Marketing,
John Mansfield, Owner, Pendragon Games and Hobbies
Rich Waldbiesser, Owner, Six Feet Under Games
Laura Witten, Gamestation
1:00 p.m.: Sell your Store Not Your Stuff
Everything about your store, from the exterior to the displays, from advertising to how you interact with customers, all communicates something. Wallace trains you in how to use those elements to create an identity. “Your store speaks – make sure it says what you want it to say,” Wallace emphasizes.
Presenter: Dave Wallace, Successful Retailer, Author, Speaker
2:00 p.m.: Retailer-Educator Collaborations
Panelists will discuss successful strategies for collaborations between game retailers and educators in ways that are good for both.
Frank Brunner, Teacher,
Pat Fuge, Gnome Games
Kevin Keefe, Teacher,
Rich Waldbiesser, Owner, Six Feet Under Games
2:00 p.m.: Retail Management Shorts
Wallace offers three short topics on key management issues. Hit the high points of these critical topics in one short hour!
Hiring and firing: Hire the best, train them right!
Advertising vs. Marketing: Advertising you pay for, marketing is free.
Insurance: Cover your assets. How to make sure you covered your potential losses.
Presenter: Dave Wallace, Successful Retailer, Author, Speaker
3:00 p.m.: Buyers Training Session
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.
Presenter: Dave Wallace, Successful Retailer, Author, Speaker
Educators
Educator programs kick off at 1 p.m. and runs through the afternoon, plus a special 3-hour program from 6-9 p.m.. Educator programs are:
1:00 p.m.: Using Games and Virtual Environments in Education
This seminar looks at using game and virtual environments for educational purposes: what strengths and weaknesses they have compared to traditional classroom techniques, some lessons we learned from getting out there and doing it, and what we all might be able to look forward to in the future. Case studies include teaching a course with the help of Neverwinter Nights and a virtual field trip in Second Life.
Presenter: David Thompson, Games and Education Researcher,
2:00 p.m.: Educator-Retailer Collaborations
Panelists will discuss successful strategies for collaborations between game retailers and educators in ways that are good for both.
Frank Brunner, Teacher,
Pat Fuge, Gnome Games
Kevin Keefe, Teacher,
Rich Waldbiesser, Owner, Six Feet Under Games
3:00 p.m.: Using Games to Foster Creativity in the Classroom
This seminar will explore ways in which games can be used to encourage and stimulate creativity in the classroom. The Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking will be used as a model for creative thinking with the four-step approach (fluency, flexibility, originality, and elaboration) applied to game playing. This will be a hands-on, interactive presentation, where participants will “play” aspects of these games and apply the responses they generate to the topic of simulating game play in the classroom.
Presenter: Tom Filsinger, Assoc. Prof. Psychology,
6:00-9:00 p.m.: Increase Academic and Social Achievement with Board and Card Games
Presented by David Niecikowski (MAED/CI), Teacher of the Gifted, City Library Tutor
And Faith Felice (MAT)
6:00 p.m.:
Introductions
Why Use Games Justification
Math/Science Game Play Rotation
Games as Diagnostic Tools Discussion
7:00 p.m.:
Integration Lesson Modeled
Language Arts/Social Studies Game Play Rotation
Modifying Games Discussion
8:00 p.m.:
Visual-Spatial/Arts Game Play Rotation
Creating Games Student Assignment
Game Delivery Options
Game Companies
This year programming for game companies is also included in Gen Con Trade Day, with two great sessions by Gen Con and Hidden City Games CEO Peter Adkison.
1:00 p.m.: Raising Venture Capital
Presented by Peter Adkison, CEO Hidden City Games, Gen Con LLC
Many of us in the hobby game industry have had to raise money through “angel investing” and the convention wisdom is that venture capitalists (VC’s) are only interested in companies that are bigger, or in investment rounds that are in the millions. That’s no longer true. I don’t claim to be an expert, but I’ve survived the process twice now and am coming up on one year of running a “portfolio company” of two top-tier VC firms. I’m happy to share what I’ve learned, starting with an overview of corporate financing, but focusing on the VC model.
2:00 p.m.: Games and Television
Presented by Peter Adkison, CEO Hidden City Games, Gen Con LLC
It’s been said for years that the television industry is hungry for content, and content is what our industry does best. Why aren’t we more closely linked? Well, it starts with an understanding of how the other half lives. I’ve spent a lot of time this year working on an animated TV deal for Bella Sara and I’m happy to share what I’ve learned on how television broadcasting works and how we as an industry could perhaps work to more closely marry our tremendous content with the demands of TV producers and broadcaster.
Librarians
Librarian programs also kick off at 1 p.m.:
1:00 p.m.: Welcome to the Library
Presented by: Christopher Harris, School Library System,
From public meeting rooms as a gaming space to easy access reference materials for rechecking the weight of a broad sword, libraries have a lot to offer gamers and gaming groups. As more libraries embrace video and tabletop gaming programs, this is a great opportunity to forge partnerships. Learn about school, public and college libraries around the country that are hosting gaming events. Whether you are looking for large tables, big screens, or a chance to gain new players, your local library may be just the place to visit. And don't worry...it isn't about the "Shhh!" anymore.
2:00 p.m.: Games to Go
Presented by: Christopher Harris, School Library System,
Need an extra copy of Ticket to Ride for a party? Want to try out a new video game before buying it? Why not check with your local library! More and more libraries are adding video or tabletop games to their circulating collections. As a way to spread interest in modern board games or a chance to expose new players to games beyond Monopoly, a game library is an exciting way to share the fun or try before you buy. With examples of successful lending libraries of games from school, public and college libraries, you will have plenty of ideas to take back to your local library.
For Everyone
At 4 p.m., a special program of interest to all attendees will be held, a panel discussion of the future of the hobby channel (see “The Future of the Hobby Channel”). The panel will also discuss how collaborations between retailers, librarians, and educators will affect that future. The panelists are:
Barry Calhoun, Director of Entertainment Products, GTS Distribution
Bob Carty, VP of Sales and Marketing,
Michael Dunlap, Direct Sales Manager, Wizards of the Coast
Pat Fuge, owner, Gnome Games
Dave Wallace, CEO, Troll and Toad; owner, Fantasy Shop Comics and Games
At 5 p.m., a cocktail reception will give Gen Con Trade Day attendees an opportunity to meet, mingle, and network with panelists, speakers, and other attendees.
And beginning at 8 p.m., PSI will host its trademark PSI Game Night (see “PSI Game Night at GCTD”), with refreshments and gaming for all Gen Con Trade Day attendees.
