First info on VGXPO 2006

[Ed-Fleming]

FYI on VGXPO 2006.

We continue to plan for 2006 and hope to give everyone the official dates and location(s) soon. Info would have been released at the start of the year, but the Fort Washington Expo Center recently announced that it is closing in June -- our show was planned to run there in the fall...

The closing of Fort Washington required us to look at alternative locations and go through a new RFP and bid process. In the Philadelphia region there have been three expo closings in the past year: Fort Washington, Lehigh and the Adams Mark. Thus, large space (over 50,000 sq feet) is very hard to find in the region & prices for space have more then doubled.

For 2006 and 2007 we are evaluating proposals from convention sites near Philadelphia and "outside of the region". Plans are in the works to do great things with the next set of shows - an official announcement is forth coming.

[GrandAmChandler]

Thanks Ed for the update, please keep us posted!

-Chris

[tholly]

Yea,

I was wondering when some info would surface about this. Thanks for the update. I will do everything I can to be there, pending the actual date of the event.

Tony

[DKTheArcadeRat]

This is probably something you looked in to but how about the Valley Forge expo center, or whatever it is called? Also, have you checked across the bridge in South Jersey ;) ?

Dave

[mindlesspunk77]

you know ill be there keep us posted

[Ed-Fleming]

This is probably something you looked in to but how about the Valley Forge expo center, or whatever it is called? Also, have you checked across the bridge in South Jersey ;) ?

Dave

Indeed, we are in talks with Valley Forge, the PA Convention Center in Philly, and the NJ Convention and Expo Center in Edison. As mentioned, however, space costs have gone up significantly after the closing of Fort Washington, Adams Mark and Lehigh expo centers.

Honestly, we got wind that the Fort Washington Expo Center was closing only a week before the official announcement, and its been a 'pain in the rear' trying to work with the other conventions in this region. It would seem that the expo center industry is run by supply and demand - right now there is a lot of demand from show managers that were working with Fort Washington.

There are a few options on the table and we are trying to craft the best deal for 2006. We'll have an update in right around the time of GDC.

Ed

[Ed-Fleming]

Bruce Tomlin question From the Atair Age Forums



So is there going to be one in Dallas this year?




More details... I hope these teasers are getting you pumped for VGXPO...

Dallas does not look like an America's VideoGame venue for 2006. NBC has not set plans for a Philadelphia or Dallas consumer event in 2006. Our relationship with NBC is still strong, however at this time we are working on venue selection without major NBC participation.

To meet the needs of NBC we have developed a new line of business called America's VideoGame Experience. We'll be traveling with NBC to cities across the US providing a number of sports related game stations at their fitness events (DDR, Football, Baseball, Hockey, etc). We also plan to give America's VideoGame Experience its own legs and will tour the event at large consumer conventions, sporting events, malls, and other locations. All the while, these new events will be used to promote the large VGXPO events in Philadelphia and future locations.

We plan to also use it as a vehicle to hold mini-conventions (a 1000 to 1500 people show), LAN parties and gaming competitions. The first 'Experience' event will take place with NBC at the Philly FitFest (late April), where we'll provide them with a VGXPO preview & DDR content pavilion. Other NBC fitness events are planned for Road Island, Ohio and Washington, DC. We are in the early stages of development for events in northern NJ and at the Home Depot Center, outside of Las Angeles.

This year's VGXPO is not going to be part of any NBC Consumer Show. Plans are in the works to hold a 2006 VGXPO in the Philadelphia region this October. There are additional cities that might be added to the 2006 schedule, but we may wait until 2007 to hold more then one VGXPO.

The major reason for waiting to bring VGXPO into more cities is that we need to be sure that the vendors who have participated with us in the past are ready to commit to two or more events a year. Also, as we engage the videogame industry we also need more game companies to understand the value of public game shows, and then have them develop internal events management groups. While companies like Red Octane and NCSoft have full time event teams, many developers and publishers do not. We have made significant headway in getting the attention of the game industry, and look forward to 2006 and 2007 bringing more game publishers into the VGXPO.

Last, we need as much lead time as possible to work with convention centers to schedule events. I have traveled to 10 convention centers since the end of last year. Each center has its own unique features and each one has its own rules for labor related issues. Some have what's called right-to-work, while others require a union to do any labor task, including moving items form a truck or car into the convention center. In the case of union convention centers, the costs for labor can be much more then the cost of a booth or table. While this might not be a concern for a large company, many of our vendors are small businesses or individuals, and those labor costs would overwhelm them. Because of this we are being very selective on how we move forward.

If you are wondering about future VGXPO locations, I cannot reveal them just yet. But, I can provide you with some clues. We are looking at locations that are in, or near, popular tourist destinations. We are tending to look at locations that have warm fall and winter climates. We are looking at cities that you would want to fly into to participate in the VGXPO and then stay at for a mini-vacation. In addition, the locations are places where you would want to bring your spouse & kids and can let them go have touristy fun while you're at the VGXPO.

[NoahsMyBro]

Consider New Orleans.

[mindlesspunk77]

anything in philly ny nj md ct ri or ma games 2 go will most likely attend

[calthaer]

Any event that has the balls to ban DP (which I believe they did last year, correct me if wrong) and yet still advertise on the DP board is not something I'm personally too interested in.

[GrandAmChandler]

Any event that has the balls to ban DP (which I believe they did last year, correct me if wrong) and yet still advertise on the DP board is not something I'm personally too interested in.

I do not believe DP was banned. I myself was a vendor, with Drexel923 as my assistant. Rolenta had a booth right next to me, and sold out of the DP Guides.

Mindlesspunk had his booth across from ours, and he was selling some stuff.

And K3V had the NUON Dome repping across the way, and Schenley was repping Jersey by selling some stuff at his booth.

Trade-N-Games was there as well as usual bringing awesome store stock.

J2Games who is close knit with DP was there selling there wares as well.

And I apologize if there were more DP members vending, it was a crazy weekend.

I dunno, I count at least 6 DP members that had booths at VGXPO 2K5, and one of those sold the DP guides. Drexel & myself sported the DP shirts everyday of the show as well.

There was no official "Digital Press" booth, but it was being represented definitely. I believe that they are invited to make an appearance at VGXPO 2K6 this year, Ed Flemming I am sure will correct me if I am wrong.

[Kid Ice]

Any event that has the balls to ban DP (which I believe they did last year, correct me if wrong) and yet still advertise on the DP board is not something I'm personally too interested in.

Joe said as much in this thread

http://www.digitpress.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=74136&start=25

That was after the VGXPO.

I'm hoping this was just a misunderstanding and has been rectified since. I enjoyed the show last year (the arcade totally kicked ass), but if DP isn't welcome then I don't belong there.

[RCM]

Any event that has the balls to ban DP (which I believe they did last year, correct me if wrong) and yet still advertise on the DP board is not something I'm personally too interested in.

Joe said as much in this thread

http://www.digitpress.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=74136&start=25

That was after the VGXPO.

I'm hoping this was just a misunderstanding and has been rectified since. I enjoyed the show last year (the arcade totally kicked ass), but if DP isn't welcome then I don't belong there.

It's a shame that shit like this still goes on. I've found in my 2 years of doing shows that there's a lot of bullshit politics on all sides.

It's time to throw these chips off our shoulders and be united and supportive of one another whenever possible.

[mindlesspunk77]

Any event that has the balls to ban DP (which I believe they did last year, correct me if wrong) and yet still advertise on the DP board is not something I'm personally too interested in.

Joe said as much in this thread

http://www.digitpress.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=74136&start=25

That was after the VGXPO.

I'm hoping this was just a misunderstanding and has been rectified since. I enjoyed the show last year (the arcade totally kicked ass), but if DP isn't welcome then I don't belong there.

It's a shame that shit like this still goes on. I've found in my 2 years of doing shows that there's a lot of bullshit politics on all sides.

It's time to throw these chips off our shoulders and be united and supportive of one another whenever possible.



AMEN BROTHER AMEN!and to whoever said they wouldnt set up if joe did. stop being such a pussy. not like you have to talk to him!

[Kid Ice]

(comments retracted)

[Ed-Fleming]

VGXPO is an equal opportunity gaming event. Like E3, there will be rival gaming companies and associations at our event.

We have 50,000 sq ft of space planned for Philly 2006 (and even more for 2007), and in planning booth layout, we will make an effort to keep rival groups as far away from others as possible. With this much space and thousands of gamers at the show, there should be no problems - the vendors will have to many other things to worry about.

Additionally, VGXPO is a business and it serves the gaming community as a whole. We exist to provide gamers with the best experience possible, we have no right to block any game related companies or organizations form requesting space at shows. If gamers want a vendor at the show, then that vendor should be there. If Sony asked me not to allow Microsoft to the show I would have to decline there request, even if that meant Sony wouldn’t come to the VGXPO. The same goes with this situation.

VGXPO is a gaming event for everyone!

[Ed-Fleming]

It's a shame that shit like this still goes on. I've found in my 2 years of doing shows that there's a lot of bullshit politics on all sides.

It's time to throw these chips off our shoulders and be united and supportive of one another whenever possible.

You're right! This crap is silly. We are grown adults, we should all realize that the playground is huge and there is space for everyone. In reality no one should be left out.

[Kid Ice]

Glad to hear everyone is welcome. Consider my previous comments null and void. Looking forward to it!

[DKTheArcadeRat]

No new happenings, I assume?

Also, is there still going to be a Dallas event?

[Ed-Fleming]

No new happenings, I assume?

Also, is there still going to be a Dallas event?

We've posted a press release a couple weeks ago regarding VGXPO 2006. The show will take place Oct. 27 - 29 at the Valley Forge Convention Center, near Philadelphia, PA.

There are no plans to hold a Dallas show in 2006. We are considering adding two additional cities to the VGXPO tour in 2007. These include Orlando and Las Vegas.

[GrandAmChandler]

Woo Hoo! Back to Valley Forge Thank God! :P

EDIT: Looks like the loading / unloading won't be an issue this year @ fort washington! 8-) :D

[J2games]

J2Games.com will be attending AGAIN this year, can't wait! We'll be dragging a few 1000 games with us for this years show and maybe have a new title to launch in time for the show!

[stonic]

VGXPO is an equal opportunity gaming event.

It wasn't last year...