GAMA Trade Show Day 1

There is a lot to be said for the GAMA trade show.  If you are a retailer I really think you need to make the effort to be here.  Even though I am not a retailer, I have learned a lot just by sitting through the seminars. But overall, my impression was of a small industry, an event that didn't fire up the exhbitors, and one that was dominated by small game companies trying to make a name for themselves (which is a good thing, the more venues for small game companies to get the word out, the better).

Overall, the exhibition was just OK.   It was interesting to see the mix of exhibitors though.

In miniature gaming, Games Workshop was of course the big dog, but their booth was probably the least interesting.  While the guys mannning it were nice and capable, their booth was really boring.  Battlefoam, which was right next to them, totally outclassed their booth.  But Privateer was totally absent (as was Infinity), and Battlefront and Wyrd (Malifaux) both only had 10 x10 booths.  From what I was told by a few exhibitors, GAMA is NOT easy to work with, and one game company, that wanted to give all retailers a $ 50 item for free, were told they couldn't unless they ponied up $ 10,000 for a sponsorship.  WTF?

There were major distributors in Alliance and ACD, both with 20x20 booths.   A couple other smaller distributors were there as well. Cool Mini or Not was there and continues to impress.  They are clearly committed to expanding their lines of miniatures, which are frankly, amazing.  My good friend and multiple Golden Daemon winner Aaron Lovejoy, was there as he painted one of their new armies for display there and it was amazing.

Trading Card games dominated the show, which is one of the reasons you keep hearing game store owners tell you that Magic pays the rent.  Wizards of the Coast was of course here, as was Konami, Bandai and Cryptozoic, the leaders in the space.

Ad I have to say Fantasy Flight Games really seemed to be a hit.  Focus being on their boxed collectible card games for properties like Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones, and Star Wars.

So overall, I think I was a bit disappointed in GAMA, though, if I ever were to open a store, I would make this event a must on the calendar.

Plus it was in Vegas, and I won $ 300 at the poker table.  :-)

Alec