As I flipped the calendar to October recently, I began to think about all of the gaming conventions held throughout the year, and in what months they are held.

Choosing the right time of year is critical to the success of an event. Factors to consider? Number one is to pick a date and don't move it. Make sure that it does not interfere with other local or major conventions. Know where your people come from. Making the gamer pick which convention to attend might leave your event with a bunch of empty tables. Holiday weekends sound good because people have time off, however, family plans will keep many of them away.

Gamers, myself included, save a little "mad money" to spend at the conventions. Hotels, meals, drinks and, of course, lead purchases, all figure into the convention budget. My mad money needs are spread out over the year and that works well. It gives me time to save up between events.

There are two levels of personal involvement at conventions. Group One, the "Lifers," stay at the designated hotel, some even arrive early, and they all enjoy a wonderful weekend. Group Two are what I call the "Day-Sailors." They live close enough to the site to just come for the day. Although they may return each day, these gamers are not enjoying the whole thing. It takes a certain commitment to be in Group One. When I go out of town for a convention, the whole weekend is like a holiday road trip. Meeting old friends, running games and going out for meals are all part of the weekend package. If you don't do overnight conventions, I highly recommend you grab a gaming buddy and share the costs!

Advance The Colors 2004

This year, ATC moved to The Heritage Center in downtown Springfield, a few miles from last year's Holiday Inn. Holding an historical miniatures gaming convention in a museum complex was a very pleasant experience. I located the place with no problems, and as soon as I realized where it was in relation to the old site, I had no trouble motoring around Springfield.

View of Heritage Center from hotel lot (by John Lawitzke)

I ran games in the main lobby on Friday and Saturday, so I sort of missed most of the action in the main hall upstairs. Reports I heard were mostly positive and we finished in the black -- not bad considering most other conventions this year were off on their attendance.

The hotel was great, and just across the street, if you can call it that. Fountain Ave is more of a courtyard than a street. Very little traffic and well landscaped. Oh, did I mention the fountain? All in all, a very good weekend for this Group One attendee. I think ATC has found a home. And what is a home? Someplace to grow and learn. A place to share memories and a place to enjoy the company of others.

Drums Along the Maumee

This year, Drums is May 20-21. That's right -- ARMED FORCES DAY! Remember rule one in convention planning: Pick a date and stick to it. You can move the location without a big problem, because most people are driving anyway. If you move the date you mess up people who have to request time off in advance. And it will goof up my mad money schedule! This is why Drums will always be on the 3rd Saturday in May. We are still many months out from Drums 6 so there is plenty of time to start that mad money fund and find that gaming buddy with the better car so he has to drive!