The RPG hobby scored a hit this week as Gen Con broke attendance records. A successful convention, whether you love it or loathe it, helps prove to companies that the industry is busy and worth paying attention too.
This year Gen Con expanded by 14% which makes it the fourth consecutive year which the convention has beaten the 10% growth mark. 56,614 gamers turned up with 370 plus exhibitors and over 14,000 events.
How big is 56,614? Wikipedia lists Indianapolis, where Gen Con is held, as the USA’s 12th largest city with a population of 843,393.
Adrian Swartout, CEO and owner of Gen Con LLC, told press;
“Gen Con 2014 is a testament to a more than decade-long relationship between Indianapolis and the game industry, which has culminated in the best attendee experience yet,”
“Gen Con is a massive yearly adventure that would not be possible without the collaboration and support of our show sponsors, exhibitors, event organizers, volunteers, local business partners, the Indy community, and of course, our attendees.”
The boom in numbers meant that the official charity partner, Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana, also broke records as donations topped $40,000.
Gen Con 2015 will return to the Indiana Convention Center for July 30th to August 2nd. The 2014 event’s headline sponsors were Paizo, Mayfair and Wizards of the Coast.
(Photos from GenCon’s Facebook)
