June 18, 2009
The 2009 Origins Game Fair is less than a week away! Take a moment to check out this year’s sponsors:
New to Origins is the Art College. The Art College will offer lessons from experienced teachers in traditional painting, illustration, sculpting, miniatures painting, terrain building and more! There will be nearly one hundred classes brought to you by artists such as Sandra Garrity, Ed Beard, Jr., and Andy Hopp. Nothing like this has ever been assembled at any convention, and we’re proud to bring it to you this year.
Make sure to check out the Origins website, www.originsgamefair.com, for the newly posted artist and exhibitor listings. Also, for those who may need assistance during the show we have complied a list of local mobility assistance vendors at http://www.originsgamefair.com/2009-origins/attend/mobility.
We hope to see you next week in Columbus, June 24 – 28, for the Origins Game Fair!
Andrea Kruse
GAMA Communications
pr@gama.org
614-255-4500
June 1, 2009
The GAMA 2009 Origins Game Fair is just a few weeks away, and the show promises to be one of the most memorable. Here’s a sneak peek at some of this year’s highlights:
- It’s the 25th anniversary of BattleTech, and that means the Battle Pods are coming!
- The Wookie Chewbacca, otherwise known as Peter Mayhew, will be attending this year along with a multitude of representatives from the 501st Legion.
- Open Gaming will be expanded to include more free gaming space than ever before.
- Wizards of the Coast will continue to grow their event numbers this year.
- The Art Show will exhibit an exceptional tribute to BattleTech’s anniversary as well as to Shadowrun.
- The World Diplomacy Tournament will also be held at this year’s Origins.
- Make your time at the Origins Game Fair into a “mini vacation” by checking out other local Columbus attractions on the Origins web site.
- And don’t forget all of Origin’s other familiar favorites including Play with the Creator and The Gathering!
Hope to see you in Columbus, June 24-28, for the 2009 Origins Game Fair!
Andrea Kruse
GAMA Communications
(614) 255-4500 pr@gama.org
May 20, 2009
STRONGER THAN EXPECTED BUYER ATTENDANCE MAKES 2009 GAMA TRADE SHOW A SUCCESS
Despite the nation’s current economic challenges, the 2009 GAMA Trade Show (GTS) showed impressive buyer attendance. While the average trade show has seen a 30 – 40% drop in attendance for 2009, GTS dropped by only 18%. Although turnout was down from last year, exhibitors reported good sales and contacts among show attendees.
“Given where the economy is right now and the effect it has on our members, we’re very pleased with the results of this year’s GTS,” said John Ward, executive director of GAMA. “We know it’s hard for people right now. The fact that so many buyers attended despite the economy’s challenges demonstrates the show’s value.”
Next year’s GAMA Trade Show is slated to take place in Bally’s Las Vegas on April 6-9 (Tuesday-Friday), 2010. For exhibitor information, please contact Steve Verdoliva at 614-255-4500 or sales@gama.org.
May 11, 2009
The Game Manufacturers Association (GAMA) announces the departure of John Kaufeld from GAMA. As GAMA moves in a new direction, John was able to step in and combine his expertise in marketing with his knowledge in gaming to help the organization. Throughout this transition, we would like to thank John for his continued support for the organization and its mission.
GAMA is pleased to announce the appointment of Steve Verdoliva as the Acting Sales Director. Steve has been with GAMA for nearly 2 years as the Program Coordinator. Steve has been involved in many aspects of the game industry, from being a partner in conventions in Southern California, owning a retail game store for more than thirteen years, to being a founding member of the Historical Miniatures Gaming Society (HMGS), Pacific Southwest, where he has the distinction of having held every office in the chapter. Please welcome Steve in his new role. His email address is sales@gama.org.
Also joining the GAMA team on a part-time basis is Andrea Kruse. Andrea has years of experience in the fields of public relations, marketing, and video production and will be working closely with Steve to increase awareness of the gaming industry. To contact Andrea, please email pr@gama.org.
April 29, 2009
Every year, publishers and creators submit their best products in a variety of categories to vie for the honor of an Origins Award, the hobby game industry’s premiere award for more than three decades. The massive lot of submissions is reviewed by a jury of experts drawn from the Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts & Design and the Game Manufacturers Association (GAMA), and these expert juries select the top ten in each category as semi-finalists. Game store retailers attending the GAMA Trade Show (www.GAMATradeShow.com) vote upon the semi-finalists, creating the final list of nominees in each category.
Each nominee receives a silver award and a place on the final ballot, which is presented in June each year to the attendees of the Origins Game Fair (www.OriginsGameFair.com), GAMA’s consumer game convention. Attendance at Origins typically tops 14,000 thousand game fans, all of whom can cast their vote during the show. The ballots are then tallied and the winner in each category announced at a gala ceremony on the last night of the convention. Keep reading →
April 9, 2009
At next week’s GAMA Trade Show (GTS) in Las Vegas, the Upper Deck Company will be giving away a special edition of one of its World of Warcraft minis — the Ethereal Crypt Raider — from its Spoils of War Set 2 release.
This preview mini giveaway (one per hobby store) will only be available to hobby shop owners who attend Upper Deck’s 2009 Brand Presentation on Tuesday, April 14, from 12 noon to 1 p.m. in the Platinum Room at GTS.
April 9, 2009
From Battlefront Miniatures:
The Battlefront family will be attending the 2009 GAMA trade show in Las Vegas, Nevada, from April 14th to the 17th. Battlefront Miniatures, Gale Force Nine and Wargames Illustrated will all be in attendance this year.
For everyone attending the show, we encourage you to stop by the booth. Not only do we have a great giveaway bag loaded with a River of Heroes book for Flames of War, custom TAC template from GF9 and a retailer resource disk from Wargames Illustrated, but we also have senior management from all brands on site to answer any questions you might have.
Just a few great things to see at the booth:
* 25/28mm scale pre-painted scenery sets coming from GF9
* New format and feel of Wargames Illustrated magazine
* A super secret project for Flames of War
* and a few more things you will definitely not want to miss!
April 9, 2009
GAMA will hold a silent charity auction in memory of Dave Arneson at the GAMA Trade Show (GTS). We are currently looking for donations to the auction.
If you’d like to donate an item for the auction, please contact Trey Reilly (programs@gama.org) with the details of your donation.
Please bring the items with you to GTS. If you’re unable to attend GTS this year but still wish to donate an item to the auction, please contact Trey to make arrangements for shipping.
Bidding for items will begin on Tuesday, April 14. The auction will end at 6pm on Thursday, April 16. More details will be announced at the show.
His family has yet to apprise us of which charity he favored, but we’ll have that information soon.
Thank you in advance to everyone who donates, and thank you to everyone who participates!
April 9, 2009
Eat in style, enjoy conversation with fellow industry members, and even save money at the same time!
Thanks to our friends at Bally’s and Paris, GTS attendees can enjoy some great dining options during the show. Check out these special deals available at the GTS Registration Desk:
* The famous Le Village Buffet at Paris Las Vegas will set aside a special seating area for GTS attendees. Enjoy industry-exclusive seating by purchasing your buffet tickets at the GTS Registration Desk.
* Want to pamper your whole crew at the delectable Bally’s Steakhouse? GAMA and Bally’s have a deal for you! Purchase a special discount gift certificate for the Bally’s Steakhouse at the GTS Registration Desk and save big!
We’ll announce even more groups discounts and other specials during the show, so check the signs at the GTS Registration Desk for daily updates.
See you next week at this year’s GAMA Trade Show!
April 2, 2009
GAMA proudly announces the posting of our GTS 2009 Show Book. Included you’ll find exhibitor info, information on the Great GAMA Giveaway, our Schedule of Events and much more. To view the GTS Book you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Knowing that the strength of our seminars rests on the knowledegable and talented people who give them, we collected brief biographies for our many seminar speakers for you to view. Take a look at the some of the industry talent appearing on the 2009 schedule.
Still haven’t finalized your plans? There’s still time! Make your hotel reservations (and get your two FREE Paris Buffet coupons by staying in the block), register on-site, and learn how to protect your business and navigate the dangerous currents of today’s retail environment.
We’ll see you at GTS 2009!
