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 Edward Bolme of Wizards of the Coast released this GenCon
Moving FAQ, from their Events Department.
Why do we need to move from Milwaukee and Wisconsin,
the traditional home of Gen Con?
We had to take a long look at the future growth of both Gen
Con and Milwaukee, and realized that we have outgrown the Midwest
Express Center, as well as the city's available hotel accommodations,
parking, etc. There is no room to accommodate growth, improve
the quality of the show, and satisfy our customers needs if we
stay. Gen Con will host approximately 21,000 attendees at the
2000 show. We will use more than 13,500 hotel room nights for
the week. Milwaukee only has 2,060 rooms within a four-block
radius, while Indianapolis offers 3,500. In order for the convention
to grow, we need larger facilities that will grow with us. There
are currently more than 3,000 events offered at Gen Con, but
due to space limitations, that number cannot grow. Indianapolis
will allow us to offer more space to manufacturers and dealers,
as well as other sponsored events, by virtue of its larger capacities
and attached properties.
Why Indianapolis?
Gen Con has thrived in the Midwest for 32 years and we wanted
to keep it there for our customers and loyal Gen Con participants.
After considering several alternate cities, Indianapolis was
able to provide the convention facilities suitable for our anticipated
growth. It is also a very affordable destination.
Won't our attendance drop by moving out of Wisconsin?
Indianapolis will only be a four-hour drive from Milwaukee,
well within the one-day drive our average attendee currently
makes. By moving the Convention 248 miles to the South, we will
make the show more accessible to 2/3 of the country's population
rather than the 1/3 it is exposed to now. Furthermore, we will
bring the show within a days drive of 214 new colleges and universities.
Additionally, moving the convention to Indianapolis makes the
show more accessible to new gamers who have not had the opportunity
to attend Gen Con in the past. Indianapolis is served by more
Interstate highways than any other city in the country, and is
called the crossroads of America. It is the 12th largest city
in the country, served by an airport that offers 175 daily departures
and 76 direct and nonstop flights by 18 airlines. The hotel rates
we are being offered for 2003 are comparable to what we are paying
in Milwaukee at the present time.
I like the Safehouse and German restaurants in Milwaukee,
what is there to do in Indianapolis?
Indianapolis has created a lively Convention District that
includes Hotels, Restaurants, Theaters, Malls, and Nightclubs
all within close proximity to each other. While Milwaukee offers
many of the same attractions, they are scattered throughout the
Downtown, and are not as conveniently located to the Convention
site. By being close to the Convention, the attendee experiences
a feeling of total involvement with the city, fellow gamers,
and the event as a whole. Some of the attractions include, Hard
Rock Café, Jillian's Game Center/Bowling Alley, Blues
Clubs, a Cineplex, and all types of restaurants from Subway to
Ruth Chris' Steak House. Within walking distance are museums,
the zoo, memorials, historical sites, shopping, parks, and numerous
other attractions.
Will the Convention Center be easier to use?
The majority of the facility is located at ground level, and
the exhibit space and adjacent hotel meeting facilities offer
substantial room for growth. We currently use 188,695 sq. ft.
of exhibit hall space and Indianapolis offers 307,000 Sq.ft.
Exhibitors will appreciate the ease of use provided by the numerous
loading docks and large staging area. There is more than three
times the amount of usable meeting space onsite in Indianapolis,
and 30,000 more parking spaces in the downtown area. Four of
the largest hotels we will use are directly connected to the
Convention Center. There is much more room for growth in Indianapolis,
and more attendees mean more exhibitors and attractions, which
means a better show.
Will we have the Convention at the same time of the
year?
Yes, it will continue to be held in August, but we will move
it to the third week in August to position the show closer to
Labor Day for those wishing to tie their vacations to that time
period. It will allow a little more time between Origins and
Gen Con. There are no other Conventions in the region that compete
with the August dates at this time.
The future dates of Gen Con are:
Milwaukee
Aug. 10-13, 2000
Aug. 2-5, 2001
Aug. 8-11, 2002
Tentative Dates - Indianapolis
Aug. 21-24, 2003
Aug. 19-22, 2004
Aug. 18-21, 2005
Aug. 17-20, 2006
-Wizards of the Coast Events Department
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