CHARCON FAQ
2013 DATES: October 18, 19, 20
THEME: TBA
WHERE: Charleston Civic Center
THE West Virginia Gaming Convention, lovingly called CharCon for Charleston West Virginia is held in October each year in downtown Charleston. The first year of the convention was in 2006. Here is some information about CharCon and the Charleston WV area.
BACKGROUND: (skip if you are not interested in history, its ok.)
CharCon 2006 was the culmination of many discussions over games about the lack of gaming opportunities in West Virginia. Several different gamers came together finally to attempt the impossible, "to put on a Game Convention" in our own backyard. The first CharCon was held in one of the back sections of the Charleston Civic Center. So far in the back, that you could not get to CharCon by using the front doors. Yes, you had to drive or walk around the Civic Center to enter on the back side of the building. Even with that obstacle, we managed to attract almost 400 attendees. Since we were hoping for about 250, this counts as a very successful first year. The space was good and we had a great time. We were so successful that we moved to a larger room for 2007. And yes, we had a door to the front of the civic center. CharCon 2007 was another success. We had a lot more space and filled most of it. In 2008, we added a little more space and had a great event. In 2009, we used the same area but added a 3rd day. We were open Friday - Sunday. WE were very pleased with the results. 2010 brought the very easy theme of 2010: A Space Odyssey. We added the Bar at the End of the Universe and had a joint venture with HackerCon (a computer security convention).
HOW TO REGISTER: The CharCon web site will be ready for registration activities a few months before each year's event. The site is contains gamer forums and is active year round but gets busy in late summer. For your registration, you are able to register for general passes, as well as, individual games. CharCon has the best of two worlds, open gaming and scheduled gaming. You can register for specific games and times or just show up and get into whatever is starting next. On-line registrations will close a few days before the event, so do not wait. After that, you will need to register at the door. Pre-registration is encouraged and we usually give you added value for pre-registration. In the past, you may have gotten extra raffle tickets or a game or even both. The bonus has not been set for 2011 but all pre-registrations will get additional raffle tickets.
REGISTRATION WINDOW: We will have a registration ticket window inside the Charleston House hotel, on the ground floor. The window will be open Friday Noon – 7 pm, Saturday from 9 AM to 7 PM and Sunday 9 AM to 4 PM. All attendees should stop at the ticket window when you arrive for updated convention information, welcome bag, and badge. YOU MUST WEAR YOUR BADGE AT ALL TIMES.
CHILDREN AND TEENS: CharCon does encourage parents to bring their kids, however anyone 12 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times. The board game library will check out games to anyone that has a valid ID card/drivers license so anyone under 16 will not be able to use the library directly. There will be a few tournaments directed at the 16 and under crowd. Check the CharCon web site for those announcements. Due to the hotel being a public building, please take extra precautions if you choose to bring your children.
HOTELS: The Charleston House will be our sponsor hotel. Reservations can be made now. Tell them you want the WV Gaming block rate of $84 plus tax a night. There is plenty of parking on site and adjacent to the hotel, if you choose to drive in each day.
TOURNAMENTS: Check out the CharCon web site for more information on scheduled tournaments.
DEMONSTRATIONS: We do encourage game designers to run a game or two. We MAY have some tables reserved for game designers/publishers to demo their games. This will depend on the number of vendors and available space. Please use the CharCon.org website to contact the committee member for demonstrations or vendors.
GAME PRIZE RAFFLE: Publishers, vendors, friends, game clubs and others are donating games to be used in a prize giveaway on Sunday afternoon. The prizes will be on display during the convention. You will put your raffle tickets in as many games as you wish. One winner will be drawn for each prize. There will be several ways to get raffle tickets. You get them with your entry fee (pre-registration will get more than walk-ins), you can purchase them, vendors may find a way to give some away, winners of tournaments will get them and there may be other ways.
NAME BADGE: You must wear your badge in order to play. Game Masters will be checking before starting any games.
VENDORS:There will be several vendors at the convention. Stop by and talk to all of them. Buy a few things. We have sought out a variety of dealers and publishers to give you lots of choices. Remember they are in business to make money so even if they do not have what you need, let them know how they can help you. If you are a vendor and wish to have a table, use the Charcon.org website.
PROGRAM: There will be a program available at the convention. Advertising space is available. Use the Charcon.org website for contact information.
WEATHER: The temperature in Charleston is usually moderate for fall. Chilly at night but mild during the day. A light jacket or elvan cloak is advisable.
TRANSPORTATION: Charleston is accessible.
- Air - Yeager Airport,
- Train - The Cardinal line of Amtrak stops in Charleston Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.http://www.amtrak.com
- Car - Interstates 64, 77, and 79 all serve Charleston.
- Bus - The Greyhound bus depot is in Charleston.
- Boat – Travel from the Ohio River, up the Kanawha River to Charleston. The Charleston House in adjacent to the Kanawha River. This is not really a good option for most people but there are docks in Charleston, if you need them.
POSTERS or FLYERS: You are welcome to bring and hand out flyers for gaming activities. We will have a table set aside for this stuff. Make sure it is family friendly. We do reserve the right to remove material that we feel is inappropriate or taking up to much space.
SMOKING: There is no smoking in public areas in the Charleston House. If you need to smoke, please step outside.
FOOD: Attendees are reminded NOT to bring outside food and drink onto the premises. There will be food sales in the restaurant. We will have an updated listing of local eateries within walking distance.
PRIZES: There will be a variety of prizes offered by the GMs of the individual games and tournaments. Most will include a raffle ticket. Some will include accessories or even a game. Read the game descriptions and ask your GM before you start for any changes.
PLAYING TIMES: Be considerate of others and play promptly. Keep within the duration of the event's listed playing time. Failure to do so not only causes problems when the space you occupy is needed for a later scheduled event, it can distress those you play with by making them miss the opportunity to play in another scheduled event. And, of course, it can slow down the entire tournament while others wait for you to finish before they can start another round. Failure to adhere to the scheduled playing times force GMs to make adjudications which neither they nor you will enjoy.
OPEN GAMING: Open gaming will be available at the convention however it is restricted to certain tables. Any game abandoned for more than an hour during prime game time will be removed to Lost & Found. "Saving" of tables is not allowed.
BEHAVIOR: We expect everyone to treat others with the same respect they would like to receive in return. If you encounter someone who is having a bad day or just being an overall jerk, don't suffer in silence. Report it to your GM so that the GM can take steps to correct the problem. And if you are one of those people who demands absolute silence while you take your turn, don't bother coming. Gaming is about having fun and those around you are going to have theirs whether you are in a Final or not, so lighten up and go with the flow.
GAMES: Lastly, remember to bring the games you want to play, especially those of the two-player variety. If you're driving, toss every game you might want to play in the trunk. Every year people get turned away from tournaments for lack of games.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
This FAQ is based on the WBC primer in the WBC Guild written by Don Greenwood and posted/edited by Kaarin Engelmann.
The CharCon Committee
