There are a gazillion different conventions for almost any variety of interests that span the globe for anything and everyone on the planet. Board game conventions are no exception. There’s Germany’s Essen Spiel which drew over 193,000 visitors this year, and GenCon in Indianapolis, IN which hosted over 70,000 gamers. Those are two of the largest conventions in the world whose focus is board gaming.

And I love going to conventions. I like to see the new stuff, play, demo, browse for deals on the older stuff, and grab free CoolStuffInc. bags to carry my haul. However, these massive game festivals can be overwhelming.

Then I was introduced to AdamCon. AdamCon, held in Cincinnati, OH over MLK day weekend in January is (according to the guy that came up with AdamCon… Adam) “a free board gaming convention that aims to create a family-friendly, casual environment for anyone to enjoy board games, RPGs, and more, while raising money for Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.”

Read more: ReJuvenating Gamer Con or RJGCon or How to create your own Board Game Convention

While living in Cincinnati, I attended this awesome free convention and enjoyed getting together with old friends, making new friends, and board gaming for hours upon hours. Adam Bartoszek would bring his fairly substantial game collection for people to use, and gamers would bring their favorites. AdamCon had a non-profit partner that allowed him to use their building space, tables, kitchen, etc. for the 3-days of gaming. It was amazing. When I attended in 2018 and 2019 (pre-COVID years), his numbers were increasing and he broken 100 visitors to his convention in his 6th year. He had sponsors, free giveaways, food, drinks, all provided for his participants. And AdamCon has continued to grow and create community.

I moved away from Cincinnati, and the board game community is something I really miss about living there.

Which brings me to RJGCon. (It’s a working title, and I’m an attention wh*re) I moved from Cincinnati to Germany to work with the US Military Hospital (I’m a pediatric RN), and I’ve found it difficult for people to reconnect in post-COVID society. There are two different ways to get people connecting, socializing and recreating that I really enjoy: Theatre and Board Games. I want get my community (American Airmen, Soldiers, their families, local Germans) connecting and socializing.

So, with some like-minded friends and board game enthusiasts, we started a journey to do our own local FREE board game convention, creating community with an outlet so many of us love.

I was originally going to try to use the auditorium and rooms at the US Army hospital, but the legal team said, “No.” They liked the idea, but didn’t want to put the hospital under any liability. I’ve found a local place in the German community, which will allow both local Americans and Germans to play.

The plan:

a. Rent a space. (Got that!)

b. Raise funds (See below!)

c. Purchase snacks.

d. Purchase board game and geek stuff (Funko, Mugs, etcs) for giveaways.

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

We are doing a Double Good Popcorn Fundraiser over the next 4 days. This Ultra Premium popcorn is AMAZING! You order online and get the popcorn. It is made fresh and orders made by Dec 1st will be delivered prior to Christmas!

SUPPORT HERE (AND PURCHASE DELICIOUS POPCORN!)

Food and Wine tried over 30 different gourmet popcorn samples. Double Good took 3 of the top 5 spots!

All funds raised will be used for the following:

Rental space, board game/ geek paraphernalia giveaways, food and drink for participants.

Thank you so, so much for supporting this small FREE convention and the Kaiserslautern Military Community, the largest community of Americans outside the United States! If you happen to be in the area over President’s Day Weekend, come by and play with us!