CONQUERING THE CON: A BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO GAMING CONVENTIONS

Gaming conventions are a wonderful way to explore the hobby, meet new people, and spend hours — sometimes days — completely immersed in board games. But for first timers, these events can also feel overwhelming.

- Ric White

If the idea of wading into a room filled with hundreds of gamers and tons of unfamiliar games makes you nervous, you're not alone.

Whether you're a casual gamer looking to try something new or a seasoned strategist finally taking the plunge into the con scene, here are five helpful tips to help make your first convention experience a successful (and fun) one.

1 Start Local

Sure, names like Gen Con, Origins, or PAX Unplugged get all the headlines — and with good reason. These mega-cons feature sprawling exhibit halls, massive libraries, and the chance to demo the latest titles. But they can also be staggeringly big, expensive, and hard to navigate for someone new to the scene.

That's why I always recommend starting local. I live in Atlanta, and my first taste of the convention life came through Atlanta Game Fest. This smaller event focuses on giving people the opportunity to just get together and play games. No humungous crowds and a less intense environment make it much more approachable than those larger gatherings.

Even with a few visits to Origins under my belt, I still much prefer small and medium-sized events. My personal favorite is Southern-Fried Gaming Expo (SFGE), a fun combo of tabletop gaming, arcades, pinball, and so much more. There aren't too many other places where I can play hours of tabletop games, participate in an Oreo-eating contest, watch a wrestling match, and attend a concert all on the same day.

Last year, our group at One Board Family launched our first gaming event,