SFR, Inc.

[diggity60503]

Have you ever considered attending ChiTag...the Chicagoland Toy and Game Fair?

It's held the weekend before Thanksgiving. November 21-24 this year at Navy Pier.

It's primarily "vendored" by "non-traditional" gaming companies. That is Parker Brothers isn't going to be there, but Out of the Box, Mayfair (big dem area represented by Dice Dojo (Chicagoland Games), Jax (used to come), and Rio Grande (usually has some presence). Plus lots of smaller really independents.

Lots of kids, lots of families, lots of people looking to try out new games (it's how I got hooked on Carcassonne, Catan and a host of others).
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465 dice and counting...
now 641 and counting...(the wife isn't suspicious yet)...06/05/13
649...6/12/13
Might have an actual addiction...die 1000 Gold Speed Slipper...07/04/13
Final Count 1212

[cliffwiggs]

I will leave this one for Chuck to answer, its in his area.
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Multiplayer Champion Gencon11/Battlefest Champion(tied) GenCon10/World Champion GenCon07/National Champion Origins05/Intermediate Champion GenCon02/Novice Champion Origins99

[chuckpint]

Cost is the big problem. The booth is $1600. That's about the same cost for GenCon for a 10' x 10' space. However, you have to also pay for the following (none of which are optional):

• Carpeting for your booth (@ $240). Can't bring your own, must pay union rates (@ $108 per hour) to put in and take up.
• Must use union labor (@ $108 per hour) to move in your stuff for setup.
• Must use union labor (it's Sunday so it's double time $216 per hour!) to move out your stuff for take down.

Also note: It takes 2 different unions to move your stuff: Teamsters to actually move it and Riggers to unskid and reskid the material. And I'll have to rent a truck, can't just back up the car to the dock area. And those are the "hidden" charges I found in just 5 minutes! I'll see about attending this show this fall. I doubt we will exhibit there.
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You can never have too many dice.
First Place at the first ever Daemon Dice sealed starter tournament.
Battlefest tied for first GenCon 2012
Single Race Champion GenCon 2008-2009, Sealed Box Champion GenCon 2007,2009,
My collection is 21,500 Dragon Dice, 20,000 Daemon Dice, and others (too many to count).

[cliffwiggs]

Pax in Boston is similar, but they have little ways to get around it. i.e. they allow you to carry your own stuff in and they look the other way when you walk in the front door with a suitcase (which I've never ever done...)
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Multiplayer Champion Gencon11/Battlefest Champion(tied) GenCon10/World Champion GenCon07/National Champion Origins05/Intermediate Champion GenCon02/Novice Champion Origins99

[diggity60503]

Chuck,

I used to be an exhibitor at conventions too. I worked in Atlanta, Denver, Chicago, Dallas, Kansas City, Indianapolis, New Orleans and a couple others.

I can TOTALLY appreciate where you're coming from on ALL your points having experienced it first hand. It's unfortunate that the event is cost prohibitive.

Thanks.
_________________
465 dice and counting...
now 641 and counting...(the wife isn't suspicious yet)...06/05/13
649...6/12/13
Might have an actual addiction...die 1000 Gold Speed Slipper...07/04/13
Final Count 1212

[MikeD]

YOu might be able to get around the unions in Boston, but remember Chicago is a whole different ball game. Unions in Chicago don't take people trying to avoid them lightly, could end up with legal action against SFR.
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Michael DeZearn
BUY MORE DICE!