WE NEED A HUGE MIDWEST SHOW!

[8bit4life]

After viewing the posts its obvious. The midwest needs its own convention! There are so many die hards in the MI, IL, WI, MN etc... region, we could easily outnumber those on the west and east coast. All we need is a little orginaization and we could have the greatest classic gaming event in the WORLD. The nexus for this, of course, would have to be chicago. I'm thinking the rosemount convention center - but that means big money. I know that my company would be in it for the long haul, but we can't do it alone. If your in the midwest, and you like the idea, please respond to this post, we need to get something going here!!! I see all these little swap meets happening all around us... lets combine them into the biggest classic gaming celebration ever!

[Boboduo]

I agree. But we already have Midwest classic-given some time
and maybe bigger venues, more adverts, maybe a couple of
keynotes and definetly more dealers; this show should grow.
We should try to get midwest classic going instead of starting
something different.

[8bit4life]

Don't get me wrong, I had a great time at the Midwest Classic. But the organization was not there. I figure since there's such a huge following in the chicago area, its the ideal place to hold and actual convention. I just don't think that it's within the capabilities of one group to organize a large event, I'd like to see all the different groups come together and form the mother of all gaming shows.

[Darth Sensei]

I'd definitely attend that and maybe volunteer to work it also. 8-)

I go to Chicago fairly regularly (From Grand Rapids Michigan) for martial arts training anyway.

Dave

[Dan Iacovelli]

AVC/JCU is planning on holding it's second annual Video Game Summit in lombard,IL next year. (tentative date is july17th,2004)
For those who have been to first one: there will be some improvements to this one from last year: an extra room will be added for a game room for network and single game play. Also Addmision will be free this year and tables will be 15.00 each.
I'll be updating the website this week(I'll be contacting the hotel soon to see if the hotel is available on that date)
there is a yahoo group set up for people who are interested in attending the show ( VideoGameSummit-Subscribe@yahoogroups.com )

Dan Iacovelli
(Ironicly this same topic came up about the same time last yaer in atari Age Events topics)

[Dan Iacovelli]

After viewing the posts its obvious. The midwest needs its own convention! There are so many die hards in the MI, IL, WI, MN etc... region, we could easily outnumber those on the west and east coast. All we need is a little orginaization and we could have the greatest classic gaming event in the WORLD. The nexus for this, of course, would have to be chicago. I'm thinking the rosemount convention center - but that means big money. I know that my company would be in it for the long haul, but we can't do it alone. If your in the midwest, and you like the idea, please respond to this post, we need to get something going here!!! I see all these little swap meets happening all around us... lets combine them into the biggest classic gaming celebration ever!

Rosemont convention center would cost to much to rent out I would believe.
The place where VGS is going be is off the expressway and the cost is only 400 a day for rental.
(if by chance it does out grow the hotel my second choice would be the odeum in villa park,il)
Dan Iacovelli

[8bit4life]

Of course the Rosemont convention center would be expensive for ONE group to rent, and I'm not saying that we rent out the entire space. I think that with a little organization and a lot of promotion, it's realistic to plan an event in a large venue like the convention center. I'm sure that a properly advertized event in the Chicago area would produce thousands of attendants.

[Dan Iacovelli]

Of course the Rosemont convention center would be expensive for ONE group to rent, and I'm not saying that we rent out the entire space. I think that with a little organization and a lot of promotion, it's realistic to plan an event in a large venue like the convention center. I'm sure that a properly advertized event in the Chicago area would produce thousands of attendants.

if thats the case If there is any body who want help make VGS'04 the event
for chicago e-mail me.
how big of room are you looking for? ( VGS had 2160sqf, Iknow rooms at
the odeum are a bit bigger than that)
Dan Iacovelli

[gavv]

After viewing the posts its obvious. The midwest needs its own convention! There are so many die hards in the MI, IL, WI, MN etc... region, we could easily outnumber those on the west and east coast. All we need is a little orginaization and we could have the greatest classic gaming event in the WORLD. The nexus for this, of course, would have to be chicago. I'm thinking the rosemount convention center - but that means big money. I know that my company would be in it for the long haul, but we can't do it alone. If your in the midwest, and you like the idea, please respond to this post, we need to get something going here!!! I see all these little swap meets happening all around us... lets combine them into the biggest classic gaming celebration ever!

Rosemont convention center would cost to much to rent out I would believe.
The place where VGS is going be is off the expressway and the cost is only 400 a day for rental.
(if by chance it does out grow the hotel my second choice would be the odeum in villa park,il)
Dan Iacovelli

As someone who's actually run events that have rented space in the Rosemont convention center, yes, that would definitely be pretty darn expensive. Even if you go 'off-season' (for chicago that's pretty much Jan,Feb, or August), it's still costly. If you were to do a 1-day thing (i'd love to go to the midwest classic thing in WI, but it's too long a trip to justify being there for only a 1 day event), finding an area hall/armory type place is probably cost-preferrable, and if a two day (or more) were looked at, finding a reasonable hotel in the area to have use of a ballroom is probably the best there, where you can negotiate cost for renting the room based on how many rooms are sold to people staying in the hotel coming to the event. There are plenty of people (including me) in chicago that have run events and cons (sf,gaming,anime) with hotels for a long time that can answer questions if anyone actually becomes serious about it ^_^

gavv

[Dan Iacovelli]

As someone who's actually run events that have rented space in the Rosemont convention center, yes, that would definitely be pretty darn expensive. Even if you go 'off-season' (for chicago that's pretty much Jan,Feb, or August), it's still costly. If you were to do a 1-day thing (i'd love to go to the midwest classic thing in WI, but it's too long a trip to justify being there for only a 1 day event), finding an area hall/armory type place is probably cost-preferrable, and if a two day (or more) were looked at, finding a reasonable hotel in the area to have use of a ballroom is probably the best there, where you can negotiate cost for renting the room based on how many rooms are sold to people staying in the hotel coming to the event. There are plenty of people (including me) in chicago that have run events and cons (sf,gaming,anime) with hotels for a long time that can answer questions if anyone actually becomes serious about it ^_^

gavv
I would say we work with the quality inn and suites where VGS is going be next year.
because 1.) it onlu cost 400 per day(add tax and set up fee = 491.05
still a good deal for a day event if we do deside to make it 2 day it will only be about 800 for two days(this might happen the year after)
this also the reason why I'm planning on adding extra room to the show
(1770 sqft) for a gaming room and using the bigger room for dealers for
and exhibitors.
anybody who wants take part in vgs'04 the website is updated and the form is up (admission is free tables are 15.00 each btw)
Dan Iacovelli

[8bit4life]

How many people attended the VGS this year? And how was it promoted?

[Dan Iacovelli]

it was a small crowd not as big as CGE or PC (25 people).
We had flyers going out in chicagoland and at St.louis plus we had
flyers going out to customers of Good Deal games and Pack Rat Video games.

I did try to get to a mention in the suntimes but they guy didn't place it.
(I also tried to get it on local cable BB but that didn't go through either)
Dan Iacovelli

Were you at MWC this yaer? I was there too with flyers for VGS (I'm the guy with jagfest 2001 t-shirt and I was also the guy who had a Protector SE running on a jag and if you heard a weird al song at the show it was coming from me)

[Boboduo]

AVC/JCU is planning on holding it's second annual Video Game Summit in lombard,IL next year. (tentative date is july17th,2004)
For those who have been to first one: there will be some improvements to this one from last year: an extra room will be added for a game room for network and single game play. Also Addmision will be free this year and tables will be 15.00 each.
I'll be updating the website this week(I'll be contacting the hotel soon to see if the hotel is available on that date)
there is a yahoo group set up for people who are interested in attending the show ( VideoGameSummit-Subscribe@yahoogroups.com )

Dan Iacovelli
(Ironicly this same topic came up about the same time last yaer in atari Age Events topics)

Where's the link for VGS04?

[Dan Iacovelli]

here it is: http://avc.atari-users.net/Events/FestVGS.html .

Dan Iacovelli
(I didn't forget it, because I mentioned it in a past post about a chicago gathering and in post about MWC on DP)

[8bit4life]

Hey Dan,

Why don't you stop by my booth at OKGE. I'd like to meet you formally.

Take it easy!

[Dan Iacovelli]

saddly, I won't be able to go OKGE, I will have a club Rep there to cover for me (Brad P). AVC/JCU also donated a free subscription as a prize toward the OKGE game championship.

If you want to see what I look like either look at the VGS pics on my site (I'm in two pics(can guess which two(hint: I'm wearing the same shirt I wore at MWC)
Dan Iacovelli

[Chunky]

here it is: http://avc.atari-users.net/Events/FestVGS.html.

Dan Iacovelli
(I didn't forget it, because I mentioned it in a past post about a chicago gathering and in post about MWC on DP)

for the past 2 years I was tempted to go. But it seemed 90% jaguar. And the jag leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

[Dan Iacovelli]

here it is: http://avc.atari-users.net/Events/FestVGS.html.

Dan Iacovelli
(I didn't forget it, because I mentioned it in a past post about a chicago gathering and in post about MWC on DP)

for the past 2 years I was tempted to go. But it seemed 90% jaguar. And the jag leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

that was Jagfest,
VGS is a video games and computers(2003 was for the first VGS)
btw the jagfest section at VGS was small (only one jag and about 8 lynxes)
Dan Iacovelli

[digitalpress]

I think he's talking about Midwest Classic, Dan.

[Dan Iacovelli]

are you sure?
MWC started 2002: he stated for the past 2 years this being 2003 it will be 2001 when jagfest was in WI.
Dan Iacovelli

[Chunky]

well now i'm all confused, I know jagfest was up north, i thought there was a show around your area for the past 2 years that was more jaggy. But ya know i forget where i am and what i'm doing at any given time.

Many of these shows are stated in acronyms and shit if I can remember my pin number much less another acronym.

[Dan Iacovelli]

Chunky,

Jagfest 2001 was in WI,
Jagfest 2002 was in MO
MWC (2002) was in WI
MWC (2003) " "
VGS (2003) was in IL.
(Ironicly: three tour stops for Jagfest this year
was in the three states that jagfest was aleady in:
Wi,IL and TX)
for more on jagfest go to http://jagfest.atari.org
MWC=Midwest Classic
VGS= Video Game summit

I hope this clears it up.
Dan Iacovelli

[Dan Iacovelli]

Just a quick heads up:

The Atari Video Club announces its tentative plans for the 2004 Video Game Summit.
The date is tentatively set for June 12th, 2004 (rain date: July 17th, 2004) from 9am to 6pm
at the same location we had had last year (Quality inn and Suites (Heron point building),
645 West North Ave, Lombard, IL 60148)
Our plans for this show will be geared toward to game players because we will have a game
room for players who wish to just bring there own systems for single and/or network game play.
Also our admission cost will be free to general public, and table cost will be $15.00 each.
I have set-up a simple form for registration at the VGS website to fill out
(this will entitle you to receive an E-vite (this will ask you about tables, # of people you bringing,
as well what items you are bringing, and type of tournament you like to see at the show)
Payments for tables are not set up yet but as soon as I get the date set I’ll let you know.

Join the Video Game Summit mailing list for updates on the event (VideoGameSummit-Subscribe@yahoogroups.com)
Visit the VGS website: http://avc.atari-users.net/Events/FestVGS.html

[wgungfu]

Don't get me wrong, I had a great time at the Midwest Classic. But the organization was not there. I figure since there's such a huge following in the chicago area, its the ideal place to hold and actual convention. I just don't think that it's within the capabilities of one group to organize a large event, I'd like to see all the different groups come together and form the mother of all gaming shows.

As one of the co-organizers of the MWC, I have to say - WTF are you talking about? The event (now entering it's 3rd year) went off without a hitch, we recieved no complaints, just about all the major vendors and displays signed on right away for next year and offered help, we had a 100% growth in attendance over the year before (200% over the Jagfest we hosted), we're locked in with crosspromotion/etc. with several other shows as well....

As far as this next year, we already have major corporate sponsorship lined up and are moving to a much larger conference hall/hotel location to accommodate this growth as well as the influx of out of state people. Likewise, there's a lot of expansion coming in all 4 areas of the event (consoles, computers, pinball, coin-op video games) with larger and more interactive displays, more vendors, presentations, speakers, homebrews, etc.
We are expanding to a two day event because of all the behind of all this, and the name of the event is now Midwest Gaming Classic. Tentative time period right now is the end of May.

[Dan Iacovelli]

Don't get me wrong, I had a great time at the Midwest Classic. But the organization was not there. I figure since there's such a huge following in the chicago area, its the ideal place to hold and actual convention. I just don't think that it's within the capabilities of one group to organize a large event, I'd like to see all the different groups come together and form the mother of all gaming shows.

As one of the co-organizers of the MWC, I have to say - WTF are you talking about? The event (now entering it's 3rd year) went off without a hitch, we recieved no complaints, just about all the major vendors and displays signed on right away for next year and offered help, we had a 100% growth in attendance over the year before (200% over the Jagfest we hosted), we're locked in with crosspromotion/etc. with several other shows as well....

As far as this next year, we already have major corporate sponsorship lined up and are moving to a much larger conference hall/hotel location to accommodate this growth as well as the influx of out of state people. Likewise, there's a lot of expansion coming in all 4 areas of the event (consoles, computers, pinball, coin-op video games) with larger and more interactive displays, more vendors, presentations, speakers, homebrews, etc.
We are expanding to a two day event because of all the behind of all this, and the name of the event is now Midwest Gaming Classic. Tentative time period right now is the end of May.

Marty,
thats sounds great about next year. I'm sure I could make it .
might be hard for me though (end of of may is memoral day and thats one of busiest days for people in retail(like me) I haerd dan mention at vgs he might try for March)
As for the name why not call it Midwest Gaming Exposition.
I'll be up for a two day event.(not sure abiout my sibs)
Question: how many people was there at MWC'03(I estimate 40)

Dan Iacovelli

[ozyr]

Don't get me wrong, I had a great time at the Midwest Classic. But the organization was not there. I figure since there's such a huge following in the chicago area, its the ideal place to hold and actual convention. I just don't think that it's within the capabilities of one group to organize a large event, I'd like to see all the different groups come together and form the mother of all gaming shows.

As one of the co-organizers of the MWC, I have to say - WTF are you talking about? The event (now entering it's 3rd year) went off without a hitch, we recieved no complaints, just about all the major vendors and displays signed on right away for next year and offered help, we had a 100% growth in attendance over the year before (200% over the Jagfest we hosted), we're locked in with crosspromotion/etc. with several other shows as well....

As far as this next year, we already have major corporate sponsorship lined up and are moving to a much larger conference hall/hotel location to accommodate this growth as well as the influx of out of state people. Likewise, there's a lot of expansion coming in all 4 areas of the event (consoles, computers, pinball, coin-op video games) with larger and more interactive displays, more vendors, presentations, speakers, homebrews, etc.
We are expanding to a two day event because of all the behind of all this, and the name of the event is now Midwest Gaming Classic. Tentative time period right now is the end of May.

Not sure what others folks are talking about, but I went to the MWC with a friend this year, and we had a blast. One of the best cons I've gone to (and I've been to last years and the Jagfest thing too). It keeps getting better each year! Keep up the great work - I'll be there for sure in 2004! :rocker:

[wgungfu]

Marty,
thats sounds great about next year. I'm sure I could make it .
might be hard for me though (end of of may is memoral day and thats one of busiest days for people in retail(like me) I haerd dan mention at vgs he might try for March)
As for the name why not call it Midwest Gaming Exposition.
I'll be up for a two day event.(not sure abiout my sibs)
Question: how many people was there at MWC'03(I estimate 40)

Dan Iacovelli

40? Come on now Dan, we had more than that when we did Jagfest. We had a little over 200. No, we're not trying for March and there's already another event with a similar name. We wanted to stick with what we had already but expand the name to convey how the event is starting to cover all areas.

[Dan Iacovelli]

40? Come on now Dan, we had more than that when we did Jagfest. We had a little over 200. No, we're not trying for March and there's already another event with a similar name. We wanted to stick with what we had already but expand the name to convey how the event is starting to cover all areas.

Well, marty from where the jagfest area was it was hard to tell (I was way in the back and hardly anybody came over but my table)
no chance to to move it to early or later date(Really Memorial day weekednd is going be hard for me to get off (and it has nothing to do about my previous announced dates for VGS(6/12/04 (rain date:7/17/04)) If you work in the retail business you know what I mean.(why do you think I left early at jagfest 2k1, I was scheculed to work the sunday at 9am the day after)
any holiday week is verry hard for retial people to get off.
Dan Iacovelli
I will try to come, if not I'm sure it will be a great show.

[goatdan]

Figured I'd toss in a couple more cents as a Midwest Classic organizer too...

I agree with some of the sentiment that the Midwest Classic is not yet a huge show, but I think that the potential for growth, especially for next year is the biggest of any show. We easily filled over 5,000 square feet of floorspace last year, and we are changing venues in response to suggestions by attendees and vendors. We feel that we are right where we want to be with the show at this point in time, and we feel that 2004 will be a huge year. We did in fact draw over 200 visitors, and as Marty already pointed out, we had no complaints.

We have actually looked into moving the event to Chicago, but for many reasons we have decided to keep it in Milwaukee. We feel that next years Midwest Gaming Classic will be a can't-miss event. If you would like to help with the event in any way, you can email me at loosen@goatstore.com and we'll chat. We have expanded our organizational structure every year to better accomodate the growth in the event, and we would be interested in adding more people in the future.

[digitalpress]

Thanks for the commentary Dan (both Dan's really!)

I've always said that an event does not have to be HUGE to be GREAT. If it's well organized and guarantees fun for those in attendance, what more can you ask?

That said, it's good to hear that you're taking in the feedback of your guests and local potential guests. I have a lot of faith in your show - I only hope that someday I can get out there and attend. The timing was terrible for me personally last year.

[Dan Iacovelli]

Thanks for the commentary Dan (both Dan's really!)

I've always said that an event does not have to be HUGE to be GREAT. If it's well organized and guarantees fun for those in attendance, what more can you ask?

That said, it's good to hear that you're taking in the feedback of your guests and local potential guests. I have a lot of faith in your show - I only hope that someday I can get out there and attend. The timing was terrible for me personally last year.

feedback is always good when your planning a show. (which is why I started a yahoo group for VGS as well as Jagfest)
To dan L: I didn't have no problems at MWC last year, I did enjoy my self there and I did notices that you did have almost every table sold .(I did notice that some people was kind of ticked that the midi-maze people left early though) they layout was ok also a bit different from past shows.
Dan Iacovelli

[Chunky]

well hey, it's all starting to sound great. I think i'll take a little ride up there!

[wgungfu]

To dan L: I didn't have no problems at MWC last year, I did enjoy my self there and I did notices that you did have almost every table sold .(I did notice that some people was kind of ticked that the midi-maze people left early though) they layout was ok also a bit different from past shows.
Dan Iacovelli

The midi-maze people started breaking up around late afternoon. After the initial rush, it wasn't steady enough for what they wanted for hauling all that out of storage. Don't forget, these were the original Milatari people running it (now under a different name), and that setup hadn't seen the light of day since it was originally at Gencon in the late 80's. When they displayed it back then, they had waiting lines all day and were kinda let down they didn't get the same reaction 14 years later. I tried explaining to them that with today's people used to Unreal Tournament and whatnot, chasing a bouncing happy face isn't going to hold the same awe it once did. That it was mainly the historic appeal of it that would draw people and to that end everyone was happy.

On the plus side, it basicly resulted in them wanting to get rid of the collection (they were going to take it to the dump - shows how they didn't understand the historical significance of their collection). This lead to me offering to take it off their hands, and now I have the entire Milatari collection (about 15 various STs, matching monitors and drives, all the 16 and 8 bit software, 17 years of newsletters and more). So, I will be running the midi-maze display myself this next year and adding it as an extension of the computer area of the museum (meaning it'll be in the computer display/vendor area of the show again, but sponsored by the museum). I'll also be taking one of them and putting it back in the computer display area of the museum in my ST area - one of the 520ST's I got from them was an original club pre-release. We also will be announcing another surprise regarding midi-maze in the future.

[Dan Iacovelli]

The midi-maze people started breaking up around late afternoon. After the initial rush, it wasn't steady enough for what they wanted for hauling all that out of storage. Don't forget, these were the original Milatari people running it (now under a different name), and that setup hadn't seen the light of day since it was originally at Gencon in the late 80's. When they displayed it back then, they had waiting lines all day and were kinda let down they didn't get the same reaction 14 years later. I tried explaining to them that with today's people used to Unreal Tournament and whatnot, chasing a bouncing happy face isn't going to hold the same awe it once did. That it was mainly the historic appeal of it that would draw people and to that end everyone was happy.

On the plus side, it basicly resulted in them wanting to get rid of the collection (they were going to take it to the dump - shows how they didn't understand the historical significance of their collection). This lead to me offering to take it off their hands, and now I have the entire Milatari collection (about 15 various STs, matching monitors and drives, all the 16 and 8 bit software, 17 years of newsletters and more). So, I will be running the midi-maze display myself this next year and adding it as an extension of the computer area of the museum (meaning it'll be in the computer display/vendor area of the show again, but sponsored by the museum). I'll also be taking one of them and putting it back in the computer display area of the museum in my ST area - one of the 520ST's I got from them was an original club pre-release. We also will be announcing another surprise regarding midi-maze in the future.

Thats understandable about them leaving early then because it did start out slow for while and around the time they left it did pick up a bit.
Depending on when MWGC is beging held in may there a chance that I could come (like I said for us retail people memorial weekend is our busiest time of the year,along with july 4th and labor day)
Dan Iacovelli