VGXPO 2006 Exhibitor Update
America's VideoGame Expo
2006 EXHIBITOR UPDATE #1
As most of you already know, America's VideoGame Expo 2005 (aka VGXPO) was a HUGE success. Fans and vendors agreed, the VGXPO met or exceeded expectations -- we were the place to be to experience the best of gaming.
This year we plan to make VGXPO the premier gaming event in the USA. With this in mind, we felt it necessary to provide our exhibitors, and loyal fans, with the inside scoop for 2006 -- a few weeks before the official press releases or website updates. If you know someone that should be reading this email, please pass it along to them.
New: The Experience
News on NBC and our new Game Touring Group
There is no doubt that NBC, and its Consumer Fest helped us draw a large attendee base in 2005, however America's VideoGame Expo is growing in size and can no longer share space with the NBC public events – VGXPO is going on its own!
We will continue to partner with NBC as a content provider to its Technology, Consumer and Fitness events and have created a new entity, America's VideoGame Experience (The Experience) to fill that relationship.
'The Experience' will provide games, competitions and other interactive features to NBC, and other public venue events. Not only will the new group provide competitions to NBC, but it will also host a competition tours at malls, nightclubs, colleges, amusement parks, state fairs, hotels and other venues. The Experience will become one of our 'gorilla marketing' mechanisms for the VGXPO – it may eventually be considered a mini-VGXPO itself.
America's VideoGame Expo 2006
Valley Forge Convention Center
October 27 - 29
This year's Philadelphia expo is tentatively scheduled for the weekend of Oct 27 – 29, at the Valley Forge Convention Center, just outside of the Philadelphia city limits. Plans are in the works to expand the show significantly from 2005.
We plan to occupy over 60,000 sq feet of convention space and have additional meeting room and ballroom space for our new conference track and special events.
The VGXPO website has not been updated with these dates and will not be updated until we send out an official press release in the next few weeks. We expect to generate significant web-based buzz for the expo and will be utilizing My Space, Craig's List, Google Adwords and Meet Up to help with online marketing. Off line, we will start marketing the expo starting at the Game Developers Conference (aka GDC). We will distribute over 100,000 postcards to retail outlets in the Philadelphia region and we are negotiating with media outlets now for print, radio and TV exposure.
Exhibitors and Vendors will be able to reserve space for the 2006 expo at the official announcement of the show. PDF files with fees and registration forms will be available at VGXPO.com at that time. To facilitate this process, we will have a range of booth and sponsorship packages available for every size organization; in addition, early bird discounts will be available.
Consumers will be able to register for VGXPO tickets online and through our retail partners. Ticket prices for the expo, competitions and other events will be announced at the end of March.
What the VGXPO Plans to Offer
Plans are in the works to expand the best features of the 2005 expo and include exciting new features for the 2006 show. Here is a sampling of what is in the works:
- Dedicated conference space with more events, panels, presentations and discussions: we are expanding our conference schedule this year. A call for conference presentations is coming soon to VGXPO.com
- Expanded space for premier gaming companies: companies like Red Octane, VideoGames Live, EB Games and Game Crazy are helping us gain attention in the games industry - we plan to leverage this by bringing more of the 'big guns' to future events
- Halloween Costume Contests and COSPlay: animation conventions are not the only place you see COSPlayers! The VGXPO will play host to a huge COSPlay competition, and with the expo being held on Halloween weekend, there's less excuses for you not to dress up too
- More comics, animation, SciFi and card & tabletop gaming: you asked for it, so we are expanding the VGXPO to include more of these events and vendors. We hope to bring companies like Action Figure Factory and Collectible Cards and Games back to the VGXPO and expand their presence on the show floor
- 24-Hour GAME ON: Non-stop gaming action Friday night thru Sunday
- VGXPO's now famous arcade and gaming kiosk will run all night long
- Card Gaming and Table-Top gamers go the distance
- BYOC LAN Center: new to the VGXPO is LAN 24 and it will stay open through the entire weekend. We're working to make the VGXPO LAN event the biggest LAN party ever to hit the east coast!
- Massive gaming competitions: competitions are a hallmark of the VGXPO and we plan to expand our events to include games for console, PC and retro platforms
-VGXPO Art Showcase: Game, Comic and SciFi inspired art will have a place at the VGXPO. Professional and aspiring artisans will be on hand showcasing their latest works in our Artist Alley
- VGXPO Awards Show: Our awards show will host the Second Annual VGXPO lifetime Achievement Award and the Fan Choice Awards for best games of 2006
- The VGXPO Game Show: Think you know game trivial? We'll be holding a 'TV Game Show' style contest where you and your friends will be able to compete in a heated battle of gaming trivia
- VGXPO Robot Wars: We love robots, so we'll be holding a robot wars event throughout the weekend
- VGXPO Halloween Showcase: VGXPO will host a number of Halloween themed events including costume events, horror games display, Halloween party area for families and kids and a Haunted House. Vendors and exhibitors will be encouraged to have candy or treats for kids that might stop by their booths
- Bigger Vendor Showcase: Were expanding the vendor area to include more vendors selling games from the 70's, 80's, 90's and today. In addition, we'll provide a discounted option for collectors to set up and sell games
- VideoGame.Org History Museum: The history museum is growing and will be back showcasing games and systems from days gone past
- VideoGame, Comic, TV and Film Celebrities: In 2005, visitors had the opportunity to meet some gaming greats like Tommy Tallarico, Bill Kunkel and Ralph Baer. This year we hope to expand our celebrity guest list to include more legends in gaming and celebrities from the comic book universe, SciFi television & film
- VGXPO Battle of the VideoGame Bands: This competition is what it sounds like. Get ready to sit back and listen to your favorite game group preform in our first annual Battle of the VideoGame Bands
Additional Plans for 2006 and 2007
Las Vegas and Orlando
We are considering holding large events in Las Vegas and Orlando. We have 2006 (and 2007) dates on hold at convention centers in both Las Vegas, NV and Orlando, FL, but are waiting to commit on them based on exhibitor and vendor interest.
To keep vendor & exhibitor costs down, the convention centers that we have selected are 'right to work' facilities, thus costs to exhibit, would be nearly identical in each city we operate the VGXPO.
Scheduling and Time Frame
We are considering dates in Las Vegas and Orlando between August and January. We have a few options on dates for 2006, and have even more flexibility for 2007 dates. For Las Vegas we are considering August and September dates as well as dates just prior to the International CES. For Orlando we are considering September dates.
We haven't committed on 2006 dates yet and need to hear from you. Additionally, we want to finalize 2007 dates as soon as possible. What are your thoughts on having the VGXPO in Philadelphia, Las Vegas and Orlando? Would you exhibit in either or both cities? Are these times of year optimal for your company? Would you and your company be inclined to participate in two or three cities in this year - what about 2007?
Please feel free to email your thoughts to me directly.
Warmest and kindest regards,
Ed Fleming
VGXPO Coordinator
edfleming@vgxpo.com
Originally Posted by drwily008
