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Welcome to Coulee Con! This page is meant as a guide for people who are attending for the first time. If you don't see an answer to your question on this page, you can search the rest of couleecon.com, ask in the Coulee Con Community Facebook Group, the Coulee Con Discord Server, or email coordinator@couleecon.com. Whether you're a seasoned gaming veteran or are just learning what tabletop is about, we hope you find something to enjoy at our convention!
Coulee Con is an annual tabletop gaming convention that serves as a fundraiser for the 501c3 charity organization Coulee Gamers, Inc.. We are focused on building a supportive and inclusive community that brings gamers together to improve the lives of individuals and the welfare of our community. The convention features a variety of gaming genres including board games, collectible card games, role-playing games, miniatures, live action role playing, video games, and puzzles. The first show was held at the UW-La Crosse Cartwright Center in 2015 with an attendance of 250. Coulee Con moved to the La Crosse Center in 2016 and have since grown to an attendance of over 700.
Future Show Dates (tentative):
A lot of the gaming at Coulee Con happens via scheduled sessions. Scheduled sessions are submitted by attendees and can be anything from board games, to role playing sessions, to miniatures, to collectible card games, and special events. To find everything that is currently planned, view the events calendar. Search and filter to find the type of event you are most interested in, then reserve a ticket for the event so that the host knows to save you a seat!
If you don't see a scheduled event that catches your eye, or you just want to relax with some friends and try out a new game or an old favorite, we have Open Gaming tables available on a first-come-first-served basis. There are LFG ("Looking For Group") flags for groups who want more players. These flags are an invitation to come play, so if you have an empty seat, grab a flag to let people know they're welcome. And if you see a table with a flag on it, feel free to approach and make some new friends!
Do you have a game that you really want to share? Great! We encourage all attendees to host events. If you'd like to share a game, RPG system, etc. that you love with others, just submit the event to our online system. Once approved, your event will be added to the schedule! Anyone who runs at least 12 hours of approved individual events receives a complimentary weekend badge!
Besides playing games, one of the most fun things to do at Coulee Con is shop! We'll have a wide variety of vendors in our Vendor Area, selling things from games and gaming supplies to books and artwork. See the full list of exhibitors and vendors here.
Each evening of the con, there is a daily drawing for free prizes. Look near the registration table to find all of the prizes for the day. You can place tickets in the bucket for any prize you want to try to win. You receive tickets along with registration, and there are chances to get more throughout the con! The drawings happen in the evening all three days of the con.
Publishers from all over have sent us brand new games to play! Moreover, every game in our Play-to-Win library will be given away during the weekend. To participate, just visit the Play-to-Win area, pick out a game, play it, and then return the game and log your play using the google form. Every person who played the game will be entered to win it. You can even play a game multiple times for more chances to win!
On Saturday we feature a silent auction with over 100 lots. Individuals can submit their own lots for a price of $2 each. Lots can also be donated to the designed charity for free. Bidding ends at 5pm and you must be present to win. Sales are cash only. There are always some treasures in the silent auction, so be sure to check it out!
Badges can be purchased online or on-site. Purchasing a badge in advance allows you to reserve a seat for games in the schedule (click on get a ticket). Badges purchased online will be ready at registration for you when you arrive.
Coulee Con takes place at the La Crosse Center, a great venue on the riverfront in downtown La Crosse. Click here for directions to the location.
All Coulee Con attendees are required to follow the convention rules. These policies essentially boil down to "treat others with respect", but it's important to know the specifics as well. Please click here and read through the rules before attending, to ensure everyone has a safe and fun weekend.
Table vending area hours are Friday 3pm-9pm, Saturday 10am-9pm, and Sunday 10am-4pm.
There are three options for public parking near the La Crosse Center:
Locations and more info available here: www.lacrossedowntown.com/parking-and-maps
There are a number of hotels in both downtown La Crosse and the larger La Crosse area. We do not have a hotel block reservation.
Concessions will be served inside the convention on Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 3pm. There will also be food trucks parked immediately outside the convention center. The Center also has soda vending machines inside.
If you have an extra day or two, or want to take a break from gaming, La Crosse offers a lot of other things to do and see. For more information about the town and surrounding areas, check out http://www.explorelacrosse.com/.