Games Expo was the big surprise in the 06/07 gaming season (which, as everyone knows, runs from Dragonmeet to Dragonmeet. At least in my head), but we can make it better next year!

A more prominent table would be nice - down the stairs in the main concourse would be good, alongside Privateer. Lots of space and footfall there.

That said, where we were worked, although it was very cramped. We had lots of people coming by though, probably because we were between Leisure Games and Wizkids!

What did we get as contributing sponsors? I didn't see us mentioned in any of the literature?

...from what I can recall as a contributing sponsor we got 6 passes for the con rather than 4. So that just about covered itself already.

We also got, and get, better placement in the halls by being a higher level of sponsor, in theory. We also get more priority points for future UK Games Expos.

Other benefits were advertising in the program, handouts in bags, etc. but we didn't provide them with anything in that direction at all.

Next year, we should have some nice flyers to put in goodie bags and, I'm thinkingf this is a possibility, a free Ashcan perhaps or some sort of literature other than a flyer.

I think we should at least scope out how much higher sponsorship would cost as we could be dividing it by 10 rather than 5. I also feel we're more representative of the indie UK design community now than we were then, and will be even more so by next May.

Last year was a good start for us. We got in on the ground floor, established a presence, got ourselves acquainted with the organisers and so forth. For 2008, I feel that we should really take advantage of any and all opportunities offered to further promote ourselves.

Having flyers in the goodies bags attendees get wuld be one thing, fold out booth menus would be another (as we are likely to have a few more games on the rack by the time GE2008 rolls around).

Stuff I learned at Gen Con that might be useful: Standing demos really work. Rather than sitting down, keeping people standing for a short demo does work and also improves booth space. I think for this year it might be worth speaking to the organisers and asking what we can do in terms of laying out our space. Having a more welcoming area that invites people in to browse, demo and chat would be a top notch plan. It helps prevent the "me designer, you paying customer!" vibe that I sometimes feel from the usual UK convention sales table setup. If there is one thing I've learned, you can make tables really cheaply and create an engaging booth space for not much money at all.

And, for example, we might want to take a leaf out of the small press book at Gen Con for something else: the Indie Games Passport was an engaging and fun thing, maybe we should do such a thing with our UK compatriots, have a 'passport' that encourages people to visit us, Cubicle Seven, Pelgrane, etc. Maybe they could get it stamped if they have a demo or something? Things to think on at any rate.

BTW, I might be back in the UK in time for GE2008. Might be tight though, there's a chance I might be flying home only a few days before! Still, if I'm in the country, I'll certainly be there.

Cheers
Malc

Contested Ground Studios