Welcome to your first BGG.CON!!! We're glad you're here. Since this is your first time, we have some tips and tricks to share that should help you to navigate the convention and assist with general information for this convention.
Many thanks to Marshall P. and Chris Montgomery (past BGG.CON Attendees) for these general tips. You can view the most recent thread HERE. While some details may have changed, the general tips and tricks are good ones.
Planning Your Trip: What Do I Bring? Where Do I Stay?
What to Bring?
- Clothing - Pack enough clothes (especially shirts) so that you can freshen up.
- Games - If you aren’t a picky player, you don’t have to bring any. Check the BGG Library collection for your planning purposes.
- Money - Think Food, Exhibit Hall, Board Game Bazaar, Virtual Flea Market, Charity Auction
- Electronic Devices - Keep them handy for notices of Daily Prize Drawings and other Announcements
Where Do I Stay?
- Hyatt Regency Dallas
- 300 Reunion Blvd
- Dallas, TX 75207, USA
Hotel Block information will be sent via News Update or Badge Verification Email.
Travel and Parking
By Air
- From DFW Airport to Hotel - Call the hotel to see if they have a shuttle available or get an Uber/Lyft
- From Love Field Airport to Hotel - Get an Uber/Lyft or try DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transit) bus/train line.
Bringing Your Own Car
- Parking available at a reduced parking rate for the duration of the convention and all of it is within walking distance of the hotel. However, we cannot guarantee availability and strongly encourage carpooling, ride share options or public transportation.
Union Station is a major transportation hub for buses and trains and is connected to the hotel via an underground tunnel.
Please review the Parking information to make appropriate arrangements and view other transportation options.
Food
- Concessions in an open area of the hotel - Credit cards accepted
- Centennial restaurant - 2nd floor - generally breakfast and lunch
- Monduel's - 2nd floor - bar and bar fare
- Parrino's - 2nd floor - Italian - dinner only
- Coffee's Post - Main level - Starbucks and Convenience options
- Birds Bourbon & Brews - 2nd floor - Poultry dishes and brews
Outside of the Hotel
- Google is your friend and there are lots of restaurant options in the Downtown Dallas area to peruse. Find a favorite BBQ place, coffee shop, Sandwich shop, etc.
Arrival/Departure Dates
- Tuesday - If you want to get in some early gaming, we'll have a space set aside, but you won't get your badge until Wednesday.
- Wednesday - Badge pickup begins around 9am, but you are welcome to arrive at any time after that to get your badge.
- Sunday - This is the last day of BGG.CON. Watch the hotel checkout time. The Library closes at 1pm and the convention will officially end at 3pm. There may be residual gaming space designated for individuals who cannot depart until later in the evening.
Getting Into a Game
The focus of BGG.CON is open gaming, so you may need to step out of your comfort zone to meet new friends, but games are a common denominator, and with so many attendees, there are lots of options.
- Participate in Meetups - The Orphans and First Timers Meetup is a good way to get information and to meet other First Timers who might be looking for a gaming friend. There will also be a Wargamers Meetup if that strikes your fancy. Other Meetups can be found on the Event Schedule.
- Go to the library - Someone might be looking to play the same game you are looking at.
- Set up a Game - Sit at a table with a Players Wanted/Teachers Needed sign while you read the rules. Welcome/Ask anyone who stops by.
- Schedule a Game ahead of Time - If there is a game you really want to play, become the host and schedule a time. We'll open up Event Submissions in mid-July. Instructions can be found HERE.
- Walk the Tables - Find a Players Wanted/Teacher Needed sign and ask to play or volunteer to teach.
Things to DO/DON'T DO
- DO - Fight the Con Crud, Observe Cleanliness - See Health & Safety Guidelines for further information
- DO - Be Kind - See Code of Conduct
- DO – Play games from “Off List” - You might find a gem among games you've never heard of before.
- DON’T – Learn a game at the table unless all players have agreed to this and are willing to stick through it.
- DO – Teach somebody the rules to a game - This pays it forward.
- DO – Get enough sleep
- DO – Eat out with strangers
- DO - Play games with strangers
- DON’T – Take the games too seriously
- DO – Play games more than once and play oldies but goodies
- DON’T – Keep games checked out of the library when you aren’t playing them
- DO – Explore the convention spaces
- DO – Say thanks to the staff
Questions
Let us know - events@boardgamegeek.com
