TOPIC: GenCon 4-day badges are sold out

Druegar wrote:

bpsymington wrote: LA is different from Anaheim.

The Los Angeles Convention Center does not have nearly the same space as the Indiana or Anaheim CC s. Furthermore, LA doesn't have enough hotel room capacity.

As much as you and I would love to be able to sleep at home during Gen Con, it's not going to happen any time soon if we continue to live in So Cal.

With the efforts to get the Olympics the pace of hotel and rail construction is really high - LA would have no trouble hosting GC in the near future.

I'll welcome GC to LA, but I'm not holding my breath.

Steve wrote:

Beertram wrote:

Rebeg wrote:

Harlax wrote: Milwaukee!

When the Bucks finish their new arena and the surrounding entertainment district is built out.

Hey, a guy can dream, can't he?

I'm right there with you in missing the great times we all enjoyed in Milwaukee. But facing the fact, Gencon will never return. Least not in our lifetime.

It's more then just the arena. They need to level the whole downtown area just to make it desirable to return. The Convention Center is now half the size of what we have now. Parking is I doubt even a full half. Hotels is no where enough, even with the expected Arena plans and growth.

Then take the DT area today. Starting this month, the Grand Avenue Mall just SE of the CC there, will begin converting into private apartments. And shops located east of the CC are seeing their building ether gutted, or torn down. Restaurants are few. DT Milwaukee didn't fair well after we left.

This makes me sad. I truly loved the GenCons in Milwaukee. I have many fond memories and but a few less fond memories there. As someone mentioned, Safe House is great. Maders was one of my favorite restaurants anywhere.The con seemed more vibrant there... like it was GenCon was at its pinnacle quality-wise. Don't get me wrong. I enjoy the shorter drive to Indianapolis and they have many great restaurants and bars of their own, it just doesn't feel the same.

Truth. Keep in mind, we were younger too
But I learned how to play Magic in Milwaukee [From Richard Garfield no less ]
I also got to watch Chris Harbor run up a $7,000 bar tab at the Safehouse
I met Tom Wham for the first time, and Ernie Gygax.
Played darts with Jervis Johnson there too. [He is an AMAZING dart player .. but not until he has 2 pints in him.]

GenCon was more focused, but it was still TSR then. Pre WotC. Pre Hasbro.
It might have been more focused because it was smaller .. or because we were younger .. who knows.

All I know is I could do the whole con on six hours sleep .. total .. Those days are behind me now

Indy has never really felt the same to me either ..

Try GaryCon sometime for a true old school vibe.

Harlax wrote:

Steve wrote:

Beertram wrote:

Rebeg wrote:

Harlax wrote: Milwaukee!

When the Bucks finish their new arena and the surrounding entertainment district is built out.

Hey, a guy can dream, can't he?

I'm right there with you in missing the great times we all enjoyed in Milwaukee. But facing the fact, Gencon will never return. Least not in our lifetime.

It's more then just the arena. They need to level the whole downtown area just to make it desirable to return. The Convention Center is now half the size of what we have now. Parking is I doubt even a full half. Hotels is no where enough, even with the expected Arena plans and growth.

Then take the DT area today. Starting this month, the Grand Avenue Mall just SE of the CC there, will begin converting into private apartments. And shops located east of the CC are seeing their building ether gutted, or torn down. Restaurants are few. DT Milwaukee didn't fair well after we left.

This makes me sad. I truly loved the GenCons in Milwaukee. I have many fond memories and but a few less fond memories there. As someone mentioned, Safe House is great. Maders was one of my favorite restaurants anywhere.The con seemed more vibrant there... like it was GenCon was at its pinnacle quality-wise. Don't get me wrong. I enjoy the shorter drive to Indianapolis and they have many great restaurants and bars of their own, it just doesn't feel the same.

Truth. Keep in mind, we were younger too
But I learned how to play Magic in Milwaukee [From Richard Garfield no less ]
I also got to watch Chris Harbor run up a $7,000 bar tab at the Safehouse
I met Tom Wham for the first time, and Ernie Gygax.
Played darts with Jervis Johnson there too. [He is an AMAZING dart player .. but not until he has 2 pints in him.]

GenCon was more focused, but it was still TSR then. Pre WotC. Pre Hasbro.
It might have been more focused because it was smaller .. or because we were younger .. who knows.

All I know is I could do the whole con on six hours sleep .. total .. Those days are behind me now

Indy has never really felt the same to me either ..

Try GaryCon sometime for a true old school vibe.

I would say if you want to remember Gencon of old at the Mecca, then attend nexus game fair.

It's held at the DT Hyatt near by.

Harlax wrote:

Steve wrote:

Beertram wrote:

Rebeg wrote:

Harlax wrote: Milwaukee!

When the Bucks finish their new arena and the surrounding entertainment district is built out.

Hey, a guy can dream, can't he?

I'm right there with you in missing the great times we all enjoyed in Milwaukee. But facing the fact, Gencon will never return. Least not in our lifetime.

It's more then just the arena. They need to level the whole downtown area just to make it desirable to return. The Convention Center is now half the size of what we have now. Parking is I doubt even a full half. Hotels is no where enough, even with the expected Arena plans and growth.

Then take the DT area today. Starting this month, the Grand Avenue Mall just SE of the CC there, will begin converting into private apartments. And shops located east of the CC are seeing their building ether gutted, or torn down. Restaurants are few. DT Milwaukee didn't fair well after we left.

This makes me sad. I truly loved the GenCons in Milwaukee. I have many fond memories and but a few less fond memories there. As someone mentioned, Safe House is great. Maders was one of my favorite restaurants anywhere.The con seemed more vibrant there... like it was GenCon was at its pinnacle quality-wise. Don't get me wrong. I enjoy the shorter drive to Indianapolis and they have many great restaurants and bars of their own, it just doesn't feel the same.

Truth. Keep in mind, we were younger too
But I learned how to play Magic in Milwaukee [From Richard Garfield no less ]
I also got to watch Chris Harbor run up a $7,000 bar tab at the Safehouse
I met Tom Wham for the first time, and Ernie Gygax.
Played darts with Jervis Johnson there too. [He is an AMAZING dart player .. but not until he has 2 pints in him.]

GenCon was more focused, but it was still TSR then. Pre WotC. Pre Hasbro.
It might have been more focused because it was smaller .. or because we were younger .. who knows.

All I know is I could do the whole con on six hours sleep .. total .. Those days are behind me now

Indy has never really felt the same to me either ..

Try GaryCon sometime for a true old school vibe.

I will if True Dungeon is there.

Beertram wrote:

Harlax wrote:

Steve wrote:

Beertram wrote:

Rebeg wrote:

Harlax wrote: Milwaukee!

When the Bucks finish their new arena and the surrounding entertainment district is built out.

Hey, a guy can dream, can't he?

I'm right there with you in missing the great times we all enjoyed in Milwaukee. But facing the fact, Gencon will never return. Least not in our lifetime.

It's more then just the arena. They need to level the whole downtown area just to make it desirable to return. The Convention Center is now half the size of what we have now. Parking is I doubt even a full half. Hotels is no where enough, even with the expected Arena plans and growth.

Then take the DT area today. Starting this month, the Grand Avenue Mall just SE of the CC there, will begin converting into private apartments. And shops located east of the CC are seeing their building ether gutted, or torn down. Restaurants are few. DT Milwaukee didn't fair well after we left.

This makes me sad. I truly loved the GenCons in Milwaukee. I have many fond memories and but a few less fond memories there. As someone mentioned, Safe House is great. Maders was one of my favorite restaurants anywhere.The con seemed more vibrant there... like it was GenCon was at its pinnacle quality-wise. Don't get me wrong. I enjoy the shorter drive to Indianapolis and they have many great restaurants and bars of their own, it just doesn't feel the same.

Truth. Keep in mind, we were younger too
But I learned how to play Magic in Milwaukee [From Richard Garfield no less ]
I also got to watch Chris Harbor run up a $7,000 bar tab at the Safehouse
I met Tom Wham for the first time, and Ernie Gygax.
Played darts with Jervis Johnson there too. [He is an AMAZING dart player .. but not until he has 2 pints in him.]

GenCon was more focused, but it was still TSR then. Pre WotC. Pre Hasbro.
It might have been more focused because it was smaller .. or because we were younger .. who knows.

All I know is I could do the whole con on six hours sleep .. total .. Those days are behind me now

Indy has never really felt the same to me either ..

Try GaryCon sometime for a true old school vibe.

I will if True Dungeon is there.

That would be awesome.

Steve wrote:

Beertram wrote:

Rebeg wrote:

Harlax wrote: Milwaukee!

When the Bucks finish their new arena and the surrounding entertainment district is built out.

Hey, a guy can dream, can't he?

I'm right there with you in missing the great times we all enjoyed in Milwaukee. But facing the fact, Gencon will never return. Least not in our lifetime.

It's more then just the arena. They need to level the whole downtown area just to make it desirable to return. The Convention Center is now half the size of what we have now. Parking is I doubt even a full half. Hotels is no where enough, even with the expected Arena plans and growth.

Then take the DT area today. Starting this month, the Grand Avenue Mall just SE of the CC there, will begin converting into private apartments. And shops located east of the CC are seeing their building ether gutted, or torn down. Restaurants are few. DT Milwaukee didn't fair well after we left.

This makes me sad. I truly loved the GenCons in Milwaukee. I have many fond memories and but a few less fond memories there. As someone mentioned, Safe House is great. Maders was one of my favorite restaurants anywhere.The con seemed more vibrant there... like it was GenCon was at its pinnacle quality-wise. Don't get me wrong. I enjoy the shorter drive to Indianapolis and they have many great restaurants and bars of their own, it just doesn't feel the same.

Truth. Keep in mind, we were younger too
But I learned how to play Magic in Milwaukee [From Richard Garfield no less ]
I also got to watch Chris Harbor run up a $7,000 bar tab at the Safehouse
I met Tom Wham for the first time, and Ernie Gygax.
Played darts with Jervis Johnson there too. [He is an AMAZING dart player .. but not until he has 2 pints in him.]

GenCon was more focused, but it was still TSR then. Pre WotC. Pre Hasbro.
It might have been more focused because it was smaller .. or because we were younger .. who knows.

All I know is I could do the whole con on six hours sleep .. total .. Those days are behind me now

Indy has never really felt the same to me either ..

All true, Steve. I was at about every GenCon in Milwaukee (a few years Pennsic was the same weekend). I remember the first year MtG was at GenCon. I remember having to step over games of it being played in the dealer's hall aisles. I remember my friend Rob talking me into buying a deck and I remember standing at their booth searching through the coupon book for the $1 off coupon as people were reaching around and crawling over me to but a deck.

Gary wasn't popular in the later days of GenCon there. I am trying to remember why. I'm thinking at that time Dave Arneson was being credited for the actual design and Gary was being slated as just the marketing genius who just put his name behind it. (I don't remember having those feelings for Gary, but I remember it was a thing). I remember being in the beginnings of a Star/Rats D&D event where we were being divided into sheep and goats and an announcement was made that Gary was in a car accident and some people applauded. The woman in charge blew a gasket and scolded them. I felt embarrassed, even though I hadn't applauded. I'm glad after that he again became the lovable heart of fantasy RPGA.

But what is the number?
Does anyone know what is a sellout is,
65k-70k-75k?

Steve wrote:

Beertram wrote:

Rebeg wrote:

Harlax wrote: Milwaukee!

When the Bucks finish their new arena and the surrounding entertainment district is built out.

Hey, a guy can dream, can't he?

I'm right there with you in missing the great times we all enjoyed in Milwaukee. But facing the fact, Gencon will never return. Least not in our lifetime.

It's more then just the arena. They need to level the whole downtown area just to make it desirable to return. The Convention Center is now half the size of what we have now. Parking is I doubt even a full half. Hotels is no where enough, even with the expected Arena plans and growth.

Then take the DT area today. Starting this month, the Grand Avenue Mall just SE of the CC there, will begin converting into private apartments. And shops located east of the CC are seeing their building ether gutted, or torn down. Restaurants are few. DT Milwaukee didn't fair well after we left.

This makes me sad. I truly loved the GenCons in Milwaukee. I have many fond memories and but a few less fond memories there. As someone mentioned, Safe House is great. Maders was one of my favorite restaurants anywhere.The con seemed more vibrant there... like it was GenCon was at its pinnacle quality-wise. Don't get me wrong. I enjoy the shorter drive to Indianapolis and they have many great restaurants and bars of their own, it just doesn't feel the same.

Truth. Keep in mind, we were younger too
But I learned how to play Magic in Milwaukee [From Richard Garfield no less ]
I also got to watch Chris Harbor run up a $7,000 bar tab at the Safehouse
I met Tom Wham for the first time, and Ernie Gygax.
Played darts with Jervis Johnson there too. [He is an AMAZING dart player .. but not until he has 2 pints in him.]

GenCon was more focused, but it was still TSR then. Pre WotC. Pre Hasbro.
It might have been more focused because it was smaller .. or because we were younger .. who knows.

All I know is I could do the whole con on six hours sleep .. total .. Those days are behind me now

Indy has never really felt the same to me either ..

I'm glad others have posted some memories of Milwaukee. I miss the con there as well. My mom first took us up there when we were in our teens, probably 30 years ago. Some of the best Con memories ever were in Milwaukee.

Druegar wrote: I'll welcome GC to LA, but I'm not holding my breath.

Oh, me neither - I certainly don't think it's ever to be likely, but a guy can dream!

Rob F wrote:

Steve wrote:

Beertram wrote:

Rebeg wrote:

Harlax wrote: Milwaukee!

When the Bucks finish their new arena and the surrounding entertainment district is built out.

Hey, a guy can dream, can't he?

I'm right there with you in missing the great times we all enjoyed in Milwaukee. But facing the fact, Gencon will never return. Least not in our lifetime.

It's more then just the arena. They need to level the whole downtown area just to make it desirable to return. The Convention Center is now half the size of what we have now. Parking is I doubt even a full half. Hotels is no where enough, even with the expected Arena plans and growth.

Then take the DT area today. Starting this month, the Grand Avenue Mall just SE of the CC there, will begin converting into private apartments. And shops located east of the CC are seeing their building ether gutted, or torn down. Restaurants are few. DT Milwaukee didn't fair well after we left.

This makes me sad. I truly loved the GenCons in Milwaukee. I have many fond memories and but a few less fond memories there. As someone mentioned, Safe House is great. Maders was one of my favorite restaurants anywhere.The con seemed more vibrant there... like it was GenCon was at its pinnacle quality-wise. Don't get me wrong. I enjoy the shorter drive to Indianapolis and they have many great restaurants and bars of their own, it just doesn't feel the same.

Truth. Keep in mind, we were younger too
But I learned how to play Magic in Milwaukee [From Richard Garfield no less ]
I also got to watch Chris Harbor run up a $7,000 bar tab at the Safehouse
I met Tom Wham for the first time, and Ernie Gygax.
Played darts with Jervis Johnson there too. [He is an AMAZING dart player .. but not until he has 2 pints in him.]

GenCon was more focused, but it was still TSR then. Pre WotC. Pre Hasbro.
It might have been more focused because it was smaller .. or because we were younger .. who knows.

All I know is I could do the whole con on six hours sleep .. total .. Those days are behind me now

Indy has never really felt the same to me either ..

I'm glad others have posted some memories of Milwaukee. I miss the con there as well. My mom first took us up there when we were in our teens, probably 30 years ago. Some of the best Con memories ever were in Milwaukee.

My first GC experience was the last year it was in Milwaukee. We had just moved to Chicago, so I wanted to check it our for a day.

bpsymington wrote: I certainly don't think it's ever to be likely, but a guy can dream!

Not on my watch, mister!