We want to reach out to you again about the GAMA Trade Show!

Hosted at Bally’s Las Vegas on March 12-16, this event provides opportunities for retailers to learn from and network with manufacturers, retailers and professionals in our industry.

This year’s show is sponsored by Bandai, Wizards of the Coast, Mayfair Games, Cryptozoic, WizKids, Konami, Impressions, Games Workshop, Osprey, Fantasy Flight, AEG, Paizo, Topps, Sandstorm, Alliance, ACD, and ICV2.

Please remember to book your flight before rates go up!

Do not forget that a hotel stay at Bally’s is only $114 per night. GAMA recognizes that Vegas hotels sometimes offer better room rates. If you choose not to stay at Bally’s, help GAMA by staying at any Harrah’s properties. If you wish to stay at another Harrah’s property, you can use this link to find a rate that meets your Vegas Budget! Please let us know where you stay when you check in. We just want you at the show!

Five Reason to Attend GTS:

1. Retailer Appreciation Package: This year, each retail member that attends the Premier Presentation sessions will have a package worth over $1,300 retail shipped by Alliance directly to the member store after GTS.
2. New Member Orientation Program: We want our new members to feel at home at GTS. Tuesday morning, join us for coffee; meet the GAMA Board, GAMA benefits providers, and each of our distributor members; and finally listen to manufacturer presentations geared to new stores.
3. Teaching and Training: In addition to our outstanding seminar program, our sponsors are providing interactive teaching and demonstration sessions in breakout rooms. These Premier Presentation sessions are designed to provide “hands on” interaction between retailers and manufacturers to discuss, teach, and train on the newest releases. These sessions will be presented by Bandai, Wizards of the Coast, Mayfair Games, Cryptozoic, WizKids, Konami, Impressions, Osprey, Fantasy Flight, AEG, Paizo, and Topps.
4. Meals and Updates: This year, retailers will have the majority of their meals covered at the show. We are providing short presentations at each sponsored lunch and the GAMA Dinner. One dinner ticket is free with your GAMA membership. (Additional tickets are only $20). Join us Wednesday night for Games Night. Manufacturers provide gaming and demos; snacks and drinks from 6 to midnight.
5. It Pay$ to come!: With your $125 membership, you get over $1,300 worth of new product from our sponsors at GTS.

GTS is still the best bet in town!

Power Retail Awards Nominations Extended

We have found some contradicting dates for the Power Retail Awards Nominations on our website. To avoid excluding anyone, we have opted to extend the deadline for final submissions by interested nominees to February 20. Store nominations may be submitted to the GRD Chair (GRDChair@gama.org) until 11:59 PST on Tuesday, January 31, 2012. Please take 2 minutes now and nominate your store for all four categories: Outstanding Marketing, Outstanding Organized Play, Outstanding Store Design and Outstanding Store. Learn more about the Power Retail Awards and submitting your nomination on our website.

For more information about GTS, including online show registration and other details, visit us on the web at www.gamatradeshow.com!

I hope to see you at the show!
John Ward
Executive Director
Game Manufacturers Association (GAMA)
(614)-255-4500 ext.102
ed@gama.org

Columbus, OH (July 27, 2011) – The Game Manufacturers Association (GAMA) is pleased to announce its partnership with Wizard World, Inc. (symbol: WIZD), producer of North America’s largest pop-culture tour.  GAMA is supporting the two shows to include a trade day and gaming events at Wizard World Shows.  The first, Chicago Comic Con, will take place at the Donald E. Stevens Convention Center in Rosemont, Ill., August 11-14, and the second, Mid-Ohio Comic Con at the Greater Columbus Convention Center on October 22-23.

“GAMA is thrilled to be partnering with Wizard World,” said John Ward, Executive Director. “GAMA and Wizard World are totally dedicated to making this a success.  I think this program provides a great crossover between the two entities.”

“We are excited about teaming with GAMA to highlight tabletop gaming, which has been an important part of Wizard World events,” said Gareb Shamus, Wizard World CEO.  “We are also pleased that Chicago Comic Con will serve as a venue to showcase the prestigious Origin Awards.”

The Trade Day will be a one day event on August 11 which will be free to all retailers.  This will include professional seminars by the GAMA staff and products demonstrated by Wiz Kids.

GAMA is also pleased to announce demonstrations in its gaming area in the exhibit hall.  The demonstrations will include its 2011 Origins Awards winners as well as the 2012 submissions.  The Origins Awards are presented annually by the Academy of Gaming Arts and Designs to recognize outstanding achievement in design and production of games and game related products.

If you would like more information about the Origins Awards and how to submit, please contact academychair@gama.org.

About Wizard World:

Wizard World produces Comic Cons and pop culture conventions across North America that celebrate graphic novels, comic books, movies, TV shows, gaming, technology, toys and social networking. The events often feature celebrities from movies and TV, artists and writers, and events such as premieres, gaming tournaments, panels, and costume contests. Wizard World also produces Wizard World Digital, an online publication covering new and upcoming products and talents in the pop culture world, and is distributed on a weekly basis to online and iPad users worldwide. The full event schedule can be found at www.wizardworld.com.

About GAMA:

The Game Manufacturers Association (GAMA) is the non-profit trade association dedicated to serving the tabletop game industry. Led by publishers and manufacturers, GAMA promotes the interests of all persons involved in the commerce of games and game-related products. GAMA strengthens and supports all industry professionals by advancing their interests, providing educational programs and opportunities and promoting our unique form of quality social entertainment.

COLUMBUS, OH (March 22, 2011) The Game Manufacturers Association (GAMA) is pleased to announce the 2011 Power Retailing Awards Winners. The winners were recognized by the GAMA Retail Division (GRD) and announced at the GAMA Dinner on Tuesday March 15^th of the GAMA Trade Show.

This is the second year for the Power Retailing Awards, an opportunity for the industry to honor our most innovative and professional retailers. Currently, the Awards have four categories, recognizing both overall excellence and outstanding achievement in specific areas of hobby game retail: Outstanding Store Design, Outstanding Marketing, Outstanding Organized Play, and our pinnacle award– the Outstanding Store Award.

This year’s winners are:

Outstanding Store Design: Titan’s Entertainment Café, Battle Creek, MI

Outstanding Marketing: Gnome Games Tournament Center, Green Bay, WI

Outstanding Organized Play: Kings Games, Brooklyn, NY

Outstanding Store Award: Titan’s Entertainment Café, Battle Creek, MI

Please congratulate the winning stores and the nominees for each category:

Outstanding Store Design

Dragon’s Den, Poughkeepsie, NY

Gnome Games Tournament Center, Green Bay, WI

Lone Star Comics-Games-Gifts, Arlington, TX

Saltire Games, Indianapolis, IN

Titan’s Entertainment Café, Battle Creek, MI

Outstanding Marketing

All Things Fun!, West Berlin, NJ

CartMagica, Montreal, Canada

Dragon’s Den, Poughkeepsie, NY

Gnome Games Tournament Center, Green Bay, WI

Titan’s Entertainment Café, Battle Creek, MI

Outstanding Organized Play

All Things Fun!, West Berlin, NJ

Carta Magica, Montreal, Canada

Dragon’s Den, Poughkeepsie, NY

Gnome Games Tournament Center, Green Bay, WI

RIW Hobbies, Livonia, MI

Kings Games, Brooklyn, NY

Titan’s Entertainment Café, Battle Creek, MI

Outstanding Store Award

All Things Fun!, West Berlin, NJ

Dragon’s Den, Poughkeepsie, NY

Gnome Games Tournament Center, Green Bay, WI

Lone Star Comics-Games-Gifts, Arlington, TX

Titan’s Entertainment Café, Battle Creek, MI

Additional information concerning the Power Retailing Awards can be found at www.gamatradeshow.com under the Power Retailing Awards link.

Pre-registration for the GAMA Trade Show is now closed, but it’s not too late to attend! You can still get your badge by registering for the show onsite.

It Pay$ to Come! For your $125 membership, you get two tickets to the show, a buyer’s badge, your lunches and dinner expenses and over $1,100 of new product delivered to your store for free! Join us at the 2011 Gama Trade show where everyone leaves Vegas a winner! Don’t miss your chance to attend Premier Presentations by our sponsors and get your Retailer Appreciation Package delivered to your store after the show by Alliance Game Distributors.

Although the Bally’s room block is now closed, you can help GAMA by staying at any Harrah’s properties (Planet Hollywood, the Flamingo, Harrah’s, the Imperial Palace, Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino, Paris, Caesar’s Palace). Just let us know where you are staying when you check in so we can get credit for your room.

Everyone Leaves Vegas a Winner!

By now we hope you have heard about our Retailer Appreciation Package, over $1,100 in new product delivered to your store for attending the Premier Presentation Sessions. This doesn’t count onsite support provided by Wizards of the Coast, Mayfair Games, and many more!

Attend the Premier Presentations by Bandai, Cryptozoic, Sandstorm, Konami, WizKids, AEG, Osprey Publishing, and Paizo. Get your cards “stamped” at the session or by visiting their booth. Return your card to the show office and you will get a package delivered at GAMA’s expense directly to your store!

This year’s show is sponsored by Bandai, Wizards of the Coast, Cryptozoic, Mayfair Games, Sandstorm LLC, Konami, WizKids, AEG, Osprey Publishing, Paizo Publishing, Alliance Game Distributors, ACD Distribution, GameStation, and ICv2.

For more information about GTS, visit us on the web at www.gamatradeshow.com!

COLUMBUS, OH (February 18, 2011) The Game Manufacturers Association (GAMA) is pleased to announce the 2011 Power Retailing Awards Nominees.

This is the second year for the Power Retailing Awards, an opportunity for GAMA to recognize and honor the industry’s most innovative and professional retailers. Currently, the Awards have four categories, recognizing both overall excellence and outstanding achievement in specific areas of hobby game retail: Outstanding Store Award, Outstanding Store Design, Outstanding Marketing, Outstanding Organized Play.

The winner of each category will be decided on by a volunteer judging committee. The winners will be announced and presented at the GAMA Dinner on Tuesday March 15^th of the GAMA Trade Show.

Additional information concerning the Power Retailing Awards can be found at www.gamatradeshow.com under the Power Retailing Awards link.

Please congratulate all these stores.

Outstanding Store Award

All Things Fun!, West Berlin, NJ

Lone Star Comics-Games-Gifts, Arlington, TX

Gnome Games Tournament Center, Green Bay, WI

Titan’s Entertainment Café, Battle Creek, MI

Dragon’s Den, Poughkeepsie, NY

Outstanding Store Design

Saltire Games, Indianapolis, IN

Lone Star Comics-Games-Gifts, Arlington, TX

Gnome Games Tournament Center, Green Bay, WI

Titan’s Entertainment Café, Battle Creek, MI

Dragon’s Den, Poughkeepsie, NY

Outstanding Marketing

All Things Fun!, West Berlin, NJ

Gnome Games Tournament Center, Green Bay, WI

Titan’s Entertainment Café, Battle Creek, MI

Dragon’s Den, Poughkeepsie, NY

CartMagica, Montreal, Canada

Outstanding Organized Play

All Things Fun!, West Berlin, NJ

RIW Hobbies, Livonia, MI

Gnome Games Tournament Center, Green Bay, WI

Titan’s Entertainment Café, Battle Creek, MI

Dragon’s Den, Poughkeepsie, NY

Kings Games, Brooklyn, NY

Carta Magica, Montreal, Canada

Last chance to pre-register for the show is March 1^st. After the deadline, additional badges will increase to the onsite registration price.  So get your badges now!

Room rates extended until February 23^rd! Our hotel room rate of $114 a night, compared to the online rate of $129, has been extended.  Save $15 a night on your hotel room at Bally’s.

You can help GAMA by staying at any Harrah’s properties: Planet Hollywood, the Flamingo, Harrah’s, the Imperial Palace, Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino, Paris, Caesar’s Palace. If you find a better rate on a room, let us know when you check in.

Everyone Leaves Vegas a Winner!

By now we hope you have heard about our Retailer Appreciation Package, over $1,100 in new product delivered to your store for attending the Premier Presentation Sessions. This doesn’t count onsite support provided by Wizards of the Coast, Mayfair Games, and many more!

Attend the Premier Presentations by Bandai, Cryptozoic, Sandstorm, Konami, WizKids, AEG, Osprey Publishing, and Paizo. Get your cards “stamped” at the session or by visiting their booth. Return your card to the show office and you will get a package delivered at GAMA’s expense directly to your store!

Why should I attend GTS again?

If this is your first time at the show, the GAMA Trade Show is hosted by the Game Manufacturers Association.  It is an event for our industry that provides opportunities for retailers to learn from and network with manufacturers, retailers, and professionals in the industry. GTS  Provides:

1) New Member Orientation Program We want our new members to feel at home at GTS. Tuesday morning join us for coffee, meet the GAMA Board, GAMA benefits providers, each of our distributor members, and finally listen to manufacturer presentations geared to new stores.

2) Meals and Updates This year, each retailer will have the majority of their meals covered at the show. We are providing short presentations at each sponsored lunch and the GAMA Dinner. One dinner ticket is free with your GAMA membership. (Additional tickets are only $15.) Join us Wednesday night for Games Night. Manufacturers provide gaming and demos; snacks and drinks from 6 to midnight.

3) Teaching and Training In addition to our outstanding seminar program, our sponsors are providing interactive teaching and demonstration sessions in breakout rooms. These Premier Presentation sessions are designed to provide that “hands on” interaction between retailers and manufacturers to discuss, teach, and train on the newest releases. These presentations will be presented by Bandai, Wizards of the Coast, Cryptozoic, Mayfair Games, AEG, Sandstorm, Paizo , Konami, and WizKids.

It Pay$ to Come! For your $125 membership, you get two tickets to the show, a buyer’s badge, your lunches and dinner expenses and over $1,100 of new product delivered to your store for free! Join us at the 2011 Gama Trade show where everyone leaves Vegas a winner!

This year’s show is sponsored by Bandai, Wizards of the Coast, Cryptozoic, Mayfair Games, Sandstorm LLC, Konami, WizKids, AEG, Osprey Publishing, Paizo Publishing, Alliance Game Distributors, ACD Distribution, Armstrong Forensic Labs, GameStation, and ICv2.

For more information about GTS, including online show registration and other details, visit us on the web at www.gamatradeshow.com!

This year’s show is sponsored by Bandai, Wizards of the Coast, Mayfair Games, Sandstorm, Bastion, Konami, AEG, ICv2, ACD Distribution, Gamestation, and Alliance Game Distributors. See them and tons of other companies from the industry at the show.

Our theme is “Times are Changing” and we’ve changed our show lineup with more hands-on and informative Premier Presentations. Manufacturers will provide more personal demos and product presentations to teach you about their games. Thank you, Wizards of the Coast and Mayfair Games for pioneering this new program in 2010!

In addition to our outstanding track of professional seminars, GAMA is partnering with our sponsors and program providers to bring you more meals at the show.

Check out the 2011 GAMA Trade Show on our website www.gamatradeshow.com for updated information concerning the show.

Last year, kids had an evening to meet Santa Claus, demo games with their families, enjoy holiday refreshments, and leave with a new game from under Santa’s tree.

This year, the event is expanding to two days on Nov 27th and Nov 28th. COSI is expecting attendance in the two days to be approximately 7,000 attendees!

Mayfair Games is co-sponsoring the event again this year and we are very excited to have them partner with us for this great holiday event.

GAMA, along with Mayfair Games and our awesome volunteers, will be demonstrating games, holding raffles and having tons of fun!

This is a great event to promote gaming for the holidays! If any members still want to be involved or donate games, please contact Angela Ward at 614-255-4500 or email at award@gama.org.

Deadline for game donations is 11/19/10.

Thank you. We truly appreciate your support of a great holiday and social gaming event!

Click here to print or download your $1.00 off coupon.

GAMA would like to thank our previous Chair Kell Wallace for all her hard work and dedication to the Retail Board. Kell stepped down this past September due to medical reasons. We wish her well with her recovery. Kell plans to attend GTS and provide assistance to the board as needed.

Joann Gain has owned a game and comic shop, Jester’s Playhouse, for fourteen years. She served as secretary on the GRD in 1998 and attended numerous main board meetings in that time. She mentored a few prospective game stores and attended Origins as a vendor for the last 13 years. As a GAMA member since 1995, she has attended fourteen GAMA Trade Shows.

As the Retail Chair, Joann will join other industry professionals on the main GAMA board.

“I’m excited to get to work as part of the main board,” says Joann. “I hope I can continue the legacy of what Kell started.”

Please welcome Joann in her new role as she begins her duties as Chair.

“I am excited that we are moving forward with our website improvements,” says John Ward, GAMA Executive Director. “The GAMA homepage was the 3^rd site in our plan to update our web presence. With GTS & Origins done and the Academy page going online this fall, we will have our new foundation in place.”

With this face lift, the new GAMA homepage is easier to navigate as well as being easier on the eyes. Some of the homepage improvements include consolidated links to important GAMA documents, an Origins Awards page, a link to the Game Industry Network and updated information about the benefits and process of becoming a GAMA member.

Enjoy the new GAMA homepage at www.gama.org and stay up-to-date on GAMA news and information.