2023 Gaming Hoopla

Important Dates:

• Attendance Registration Opens: Sunday, January 15th
• Attendance Pre-Registration Closes: Friday, April 14th, 11:59 pm
• Hotel Room Block Reservations Open: Saturday, January 15th
• Hoopla T-shirt Sales Begin: Saturday, January 14th
• Event Submission Opens: Saturday, January 28th
• Event Submission Ends: Friday, April 21st, 11:59 pm
• Event Sign-Up Begins: Saturday, February 4th
• Auction Submission Opens: Saturday, February 4th
• Math Trade Submission Opens: Sunday, March 19th
• Math Trade Submission Ends/Want List Submission Opens: Sunday, April 9th, 10:00 pm
• Hotel Room Block Reservations Closes: Friday, April 14th
• Math Trade Results Posted: Sunday, April 23rd, 10:00 pm
• Auction Submission Ends*: Saturday, April 29th, 12:00 pm
• Event Sign-Up - runs through Hoopla weekend**

*If you submit auction lots after April 24th at 9:00 pm, you must print your own bid sheets.

**You will be able to sign up for events throughout the weekend using your TTE account.

ABOUT THE HOOPLA

The Gaming Hoopla is a gaming convention that is a fund-raiser for cancer related charities. This year the Gaming Hoopla is happy to again partner with Aurora Cancer Care! To find out more about the Hoopla and why we do it, click HERE.

The Gaming Hoopla features tabletop board gaming, miniatures, RPG's, giant board games, tournaments, free game rental from the Gaming Hoopla games library, the Best Raffle Ever, a silent auction, a game store exhibitor, and more!

With hundreds of scheduled events, as well as open gaming areas and a well-curated games library, Gaming Hoopla is an ideal place for board game hobbyists to play with friends and family, or to meet new gaming buddies!

LOCATION

The DoubleTree is located at 510 IL-83, Mundelein, IL 60060. Less than an hour north of Chicago center and 1 hour south of Milwaukee center, 15 minutes off I-94, the DoubleTree by Hilton offers comfortable rooms, the Karma Pub for evening libations, and dozens of very close dining options from fast food to sit-down restaurants.

The hotel is offering a reduced rate room for Hoopla attendees, but you must reserve your room by April 14th! Each room reservation includes breakfast for 2 people per day.

You can book your room using any of these methods:

Phone: 800-222-TREE or 847-949-5100
Or click here: DoubleTree Reservtions

(http://www.Mundelein.DoubleTree.com)

Don't forget to use the room block code "GH5" to get the discounted room rate - the link above should have this code entered already

HEALTH & SAFETY

Masks REQUIRED We know that COVID numbers are doing well in Illinois and that mask mandates have been lifted for nearly all indoor spaces across the state, but we are choosing to KEEP our mask requirement in place for two important reasons:
- The transmissibility rates of newer COVID variants are very high, meaning a large group of people are much more susceptible and likely to transmit it than small groups.
- At its core, the Hoopla is an event to support individuals and families who previously or are currently battling cancer. Thus our core demographic is more medically vulnerable then the average gamer, so we feel it is critical to keep this group in mind when planning the Hoopla. So we will adhere to a higher level of risk prevention and keep masks required in all Hoopla spaces.

SO WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? Any time you cross into a space that is Hoopla-only, you will be expected to wear a mask over both your nose and mouth. If you wish to eat or drink and want to take your mask off for an extended amount of time, we respectfully ask that you do so outside of Hoopla-only spaces. You are not required to wear a mask in other parts of the hotel that are open to the general public.

RULES OF RESPECT: We realize asking people to mask back up is inconvenient, and is frustrating to everyone. So we want to lay out a few ground rules here to help get everyone on the same page: - We have added mask-based harassment to our Code of Conduct. If you are verbally harassing someone for either wearing (or not wearing) a mask, you may be expelled from the Hoopla without a refund. Please bring any concerns about harassment to an available staff member. - If you are asked by Hoopla staff members repeatedly to put on a mask (or to wear one properly) and you continually do not comply, that is also grounds for removal from the Hoopla without a refund. - You will likely see hotel staff without a mask in Hoopla-only spaces, as we cannot control the policy that the Doubletree requires for their staff. If you have concerns about an unmasked hotel staff member, PLEASE talk to any Hoopla staff person (look for the purple Hoopla shirts)

Proof of Vaccination REQUIRED For attendees over the age of 5

All attendees five (5) years and older will be required to show proof of a COVID vaccination when they check in to receive their badge. Those without proof of vaccination will be denied from getting their Hoopla badge. Children under the age of five years old are encouraged to wear a mask if they are old enough to tolerate one. Proof of vaccination means:

• A photocopy, photo or showing your actual vaccination card. Digital vaccine cards (i.e. an app that connects to a medical records system) are also allowed.
• The vaccine card must display the same name as your badge. If you wish your badge to display something drastically different, we may ask to see a photo ID to confirm that the names match.
• You must have both shots of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine complete, and the second shot (or the single shot for the J&J vaccine) can't be later then April 14th, 2023.

The Gaming Hoopla staff strongly encourages attendees to also follow the CDC guidelines for booster shots of the COVID vaccine, but we will not be checking the status of booster shots for registration.

Medical exceptions are available on a limited basis to ensure a high level of vaccination, but may require proof of a negative test within 48 hours of your arrival. Please contact gaminghoopla@gmail.com if you are unable to receive a vaccine for medical reasons and wish to attend.

MERCHANDISE

If you can't attend this year, you can still support the Hoopla by buying 2023 Gaming Hoopla merchandise instead!

Limited Edition 15th Anniversary Set

2023 Gaming Hoopla T-Shirt

If you really want to support the Hoopla in a big way, buy a VIG badge instead and get:

• Weekend Badge
• 2023 Gaming Hoopla T-Shirt
• Canvas notebook
• VIG Badge Ribbon
• Invitation to the exclusive Friday night VIG Reception