The date has been announced, and the Arden was already nearly full when I booked my room last week.
I nearly went this year but I just couldn’t muster up the drive.
I might go next year?
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My principles for an enjoyable Expo are:
- Interact with the actual Expo structure as little as possible. The Bring and Buy is a great idea, but you may have an hour’s queue to drop stuff off, and if you want to buy you’re just wandering around an unsorted morass of games. Role-playing can be great but is often in a hot noisy room.
- Instead, spend the days in the halls, following @lordof1’s principle of accepting every game demo you’re offered. When that’s tired you out, go over to the Hilton and get into a game in the open gaming areas. (Best if you’re with a group, either prearranged or formed at the show.)
- You should probably assemble a checklist of things to look at in the halls rather than wandering aimlessly. These days it’s fewer boxshifters and more publishers, which I regard as a good thing; even so, some of the vendors clearly aren’t aware that boardgameprices is a thing and there’s only so much premium you can charge for “play it right now” as opposed to “play it when I get home”.
- Sleeping on site is horribly expensive. Commuting in for the day is not a terrrible option, either by car or by train. Indeed, going for just one or two days isn’t a bad idea. Avoid Saturday if you have the option, as it’s the busiest day.
- (If you’re me) spend about half your time demoing for a publisher you like. Broadly, the big guys pay better but give you much less freedom; e.g. Asmodée will demand you work every hour the halls are open.
- stay clear of the food and drink vendors in the NEC, and the Hilton’s restaurants. The food trucks (usually one or two near the NEC down by the lake, the rest in the Hilton’s parking area) are expensive but at least you’ll get what you paid for. Bring water, the NEC has about two fountains for umpty thousand people. If you want a sit-down meal, the places in Resorts World are a bit less of a rip-off (Pizza Expess, Five Guys, etc.)
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The plan that worked well for me was take in a million things for the bring and buy and bimble all day. The slight issue is that I think it’s exhausting regardless. It’s pretty loud, bumpy and sweaty.
I think if there’s a game I really wanted I might have made the effort but I don’t think there was one. Having said that I do like picking up the odd gubbin I’ve never heard of.
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I think they had a limited number of items per person to be sold at the bring and buy (it’s been infested by dealers dumping old stock for a few years).
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While Saturday was really busy, Friday and especially Sunday were better. Even at its busiest the extra space benefitted everyone - I did not feel anywhere near as crushed as I felt a few years ago.
I go each year with son number 1 - we walk the halls, play games if we can find them, and then retire to our hotel and play games together in the evening in the bar quite happily. If I get the chance I go and say hello @RogerBW when he is demoing!
This year it was so big that just walking the lanes could take a whole day.
And for the second year running our hotel was the resting point for SUSD and friends. Not that we bothered them, that would be weird and we were happy playing games!
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The date means I’m never going to go. My friend lives near it and does a day every other year, but a full weekend at Aire Con.
I can never be bothered with the buying part of the B&B and I don’t know what’s hot any more.
The Demoes do sound fun though
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Has anyone ever been to the Beachhead expo in Bournemouth? Its right on my doorstep (well more or less) and I’ve never been. I think its more wargaming than boardgames but as it was created by my FLGS, then baordgames must be a decent part of it.
Looking forward to UKGE tomorrow with son number 1 (who is now miraculously 22 and 6’4").
We will be walking the halls and getting demoes in but may be up for a game in the evening if anyone else is there and posts where they are.
This is me if you see me! Say hello!
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I’ll be there. Working for Wotan Games on Friday morning, Saturday afternoon, Sunday morning (back right corner of hall 4 near Blood on the Clocktower), happy to chat but I may have to break away to explain a game. In the evenings, probably in the Hilton playing with the 1 Player Guild.
Grey hair, long beard, vaguely old testament patriarch vibe.
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Can confirm …
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I’ll make sure to drop by if I can.
For myself, I will only be there on Friday.
- Browse and buy the Asian stalls such as Oink Games - especially the English cards for Gibberers. The Asian stuff is what I’m keen on nowadays on UKGE and Essen SPIEL.
- Grab the new stuff from Allplay - which should also includes Bitewings stuff
- Fiona’s Tabletop Rescue now has a stall there. Will definitely check it out.
- Chaos Cards - they always dump their stock on UKGE so always worth visiting
- DVC Games - I heard good stuff about Pacts from the OG Guild and I’ll check out their other items too
- Amuri Studios - I’ll check what their edition of Briscola Chiamata looks like
- I’ll try to have a demo of For the Gods
- maaaaaaaybe World Order. a chance that this will just be a shittier version of Root. Will check if it’s cheaper here than retail. I doubt it.
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ooh hello. Definitely interested in that…
Or so I’ve been told. I’m not 100% sure on this
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Omg at least it wont be 30+ degrees in B’ham tomorrow 
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I will be there - I’m helping my friend out on his stall (Ocean City Miniatures) somewhere in Hall 4 tomorrow and Saturday.
I’m really interested in Gibberers if it exists at the show
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Turns out 4-301 is not the back right corner as the map makes it look but the front left (north-west), next to the way into hall 3a. Right next to Yay Games who have a tall banner.
Ocean City Miniatures is cool! I would have bought loads of their stuff at Salute if I had painting time… i particularly liked all the critters for basing supplies and other uses
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I’ll be there! Hopefully not too wooz!
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