Quite a lot has been recently said, and written, on Conventions, now some appropriately authoratative material has come to hand and is passed on for the benefit of Newsletter readers. First, Derek Sharman of the Durham Wargames Group: "I would like to express the view of a large number of wargamers in this area concerning the formation of a National Wargamers' Association. We feel that full involvement in such an organisation would be crippling to small clubs (I am here comparing those in this area with the 100 and more member groups in the South, perhaps meeting several times a week). Not only would their funds be unable to stand the burden of the necessary travelling costs (as a result of participation in last yearle National Championships our Group and individual members paid a total of over 950. May I add that this was not regretted, but could not be undertaken every year), but the clubs' own activities would suffer due to the amount of involvement in organised rounds of wargames, etc. I come to the following conclusions: a) Now that many groups have associated themselves with varied Bets of rules, a truly national set is impractical for many years yet. The alternative to this is the forcing by several larger clubs of a set of rules on the others (a process which is already taking place). b) The wargamer is essentially an unsociable character outside his own circle (I am now referring purely to his wargaming activities!) and that the more competitive the hobby becomes, the more aggressive the wargamer will become and the LESS ENJOYABLE THE HOBBY WILL BE. c) The more important aims of the hobby (viz: education both of children and adults, the recreating of actual conditions as opposed to fighting over chess boardlike terrains with equal armies, and, MOST IMPORTANT, relaxation) are best carried out on a local level with the aid of FRIENDLY meetings between local clubs, and occasional exhibitions and competitions for the benefit of wargamers and the general public. I am therefore now convinced that it is up to the smaller clubs to pull out of the rat race before they are swallowed up by the "big boys" and before the hobby becomes so organised and commercialised that much of the fundamental pleasure of figure-painting, scenery making, research and finally pitting ones wits against a FRIEND is lost." Now we come to the first of two men who really have experience in the field of organising Conventions - Dave Millward, of the Birmingham Wargames Group, who personally organised the 1971 National Wargames Club Championship. "a) There is in fact no National Association, it was merely necessary to set this up in order to get a system of regions mini conventions set up in order to do two things re the National one: firstly to cut out a lot of work for the organiser8, secondly to allow more time at the National event for activities other than the National Championships. b) What has happened is this - each areas clubs will get together and fight the preliminary rounds amongst themselves so that each of 8 regions each puts in only I team. The winning team Captain appoints the next "National Secretary" so it will not change matters re that apart from a name. The winning club will still run the next one. c) The club will continue to choose its own rules - this year only 1 Wargames Research Group set of rules is being used. d) The increased work in organising the Conventions comes simply because they get bigger. e) Does it really matter who wins or how in the National Championships as long as it brings 600 wargamers together for a damned good weekend out as it did this year? I shall not fight this year because of the unpleasantness involved in some game but I think this cannot be avoided in a competition, there are always the R.P. Cory's of this world and they are always prominent in competitions. f) It is all right to call for "well trained umpires" but impossible to find them. g) You cannot stop clubs putting more than one team in (this year Leicester had five - but that is not why they won) they would simply split their clubs temporarily and enter a number of different clubs. I've thought of it and then realised the loophole. The general impression we got after the convention was that everyone enjoyed it so as far as I am concerned it was a success - that is what it was for. If Leicester is as well in their year then good luck to them, however they won!" Finally, no less a person than Jack Kansfield, of the Canadian Army, and the Konvention-King of the New World. "I have just finished my third Military Convention that I have organised, I have attended others in such places as Lake Geneva, Wisc., and Philadelphia U.S.A. over the last two years. I will be attending the Philadelphia one coming up and am in the midst of planning; my fourth for May of this year. In the last few issues of Wargamer's Newsletter, there has been some comment on Conventions, both pro and con by several people. I wish to take this opportunity to put to paper some of my thoughts on Conventions as well as laying down a guideline as to how one can put on a good Convention. The objectives of any Convention should be uppermost in my mind and that is not as easy as it sounds. From what I gather, some people want to come to Conventions with the sole purpose of competing, of find out who is "the best", of taking away the "gold". I am against that. Even at best, one finds that the winner is really the person who, as other articles have stated, adapts to the rules the fastest. Thus I put these three things as the main points to keep in mind. ONE: People will come to find out what is new in the hobby. That is new games, new rules, new kits, new books and what have you. TWO: He comes to meet to talk, both to and with fellow enthusiasts. 2o meet the people he has read about, or heard about, or more important to talk to fellow hobbyists who share his period or special interest. THREE - To compete for prizes. Now in my priorities, it is third and it does not dominate my thinking. How to go over these in detail and to examine each one so that one can work the best out of them and make a successful Convention. New in the Hobby: Here the Convention Committee should take pains to make dealers tables available. These are usually provided by the hall or hotel and the committee can charge a fee to people wanting to sell items, maybe $5.00 a day. However, other tables should be given away free to people or organisations that wish to display military related items. Gun or medal collections. Displays of models and such. Displays can be written up and they will attract people. Next one should have a programme that allows clubs, individuals or even businesses to display rules, types of games and other related items to the public. Thhis should be part of the programme and isolated, either in a separate room or away from distracting noises. This will allow the interested people to see a new type of game rules actually played. Written rules become very clear when seen in action. Thus with the promise of being able to buy kits, either old or new, all in one place at one time, being able to see the latest rules and games being played at one place at one time, will attract the public. It will attract a buying public. If the dealers sell their merchandise they will return next year. It will attract the wargamer that wants to build up his army, that wants to learn rules, to add to his own. It will get you these. Next we have the people who meet to talk, about anything from the state of the hobby to the price of models. Is have the people who just want to play a game that they have just bought or wish to show off some new troops they have with them. The people who want to meet the editor of their favourite fanzine or the author of the latest book on the hobby. Or maybe an authority on their favourite period. These are the easiest people to satisfy and keep happy. For those who wish to sit and talk, to fight a game or show off their books, then simply place several tables, from 8 ft tables for lots of space to small 3 and 4 ft ones for them. Add chairs and people will use them. For those who wish to talk to the notables, at the start of the Convention, everyone is given a name tag and then introductions are made by having the notables stand or raise their hands when called out. This makes him recognisable and people can later go up to them and ask questions. Some of them like this and some do not. Ask beforehand. Also as part of the programme, authorities can be given time to talk or if more than one is around they can be gathered into panels and answer questions from the floor for the interest of all. Last we have competitions. A quick game, such as Philadelphia Challenge Game, that is available before the Convention, or Strategy and Tactics new NAPOLEON AT WATaRLOO, will provide a game that can be played within 1 to 1.5 hours per sitting. Thus a 5 game straight knockout match will allow 32 people to play. 6 game would be 64 players, etc. This would provide the needed competition that many players need. For team play you can have a limit to the number of players that represent such and such a team or area and total up the points given for final standings and a team prize c an be given as well as individual leader ones. Then there is more to competition than wargaming. One can have competitions in related fields such as standing armies in miniatures as well as best 54mm single figure. As many competitions the more entries and people that would show up. A plastic model competition would land the IPMS upon you. Now that is very basic. With luck and Don's permission, I would like to do several articles on Conventions: layout, prices, where do I hold it, where do I find this and that as well as answering questions that you may write me. I would well fill these pages in the issues ahead. In that regard, one point that has come up is how to decide where to hold next year's Convention. My suggestion is to have the people who want it to bid for it. At one time during the Convention, representatives of those interested, would be allowed to put forward why their place should be allowed, then it would be followed by a ballot vote, the person with the most votes wins. This would make the Conventions better as each side would be trying, to have a programme that was bigger and better than the other, that would have the best prices and accommodation available. This would certainly benefit the average gamer who would be the guy on the spot to vote for next years place. How as this bidding idea will work, a few cries will be heard. What is to stop it from being in the same place, year after year? What is to stop it from being packed with friends from one area or not? Things like that. First there is no problem if this is a one day mini-Convention, or otherwise local Convention, because it is not going to go anywhere anyway. However, if one wants to start a regional Convention and call it such, Midlands Regional or East Coast Regional, then one should be prepared to have the location swing around. Again since it is a regional, it will depend on the area. In a county regional when, the distance will not matter or on the West Coast of the U.S., there they would do well to break it geographically: one year it is San Fransisco and below, the next year above, giving Seatle, Vancouver and other places a chance. Which brings us to he National, believe it or not one of the reasons that I started this. If one is calling your Convention the British or North American Convention, then one had better let it float around, just so the hobbyists can all have a chance to attend one and to make sure that peace is kept in the household. Again, outside bidding, the best way is to also have the Convention rotate from area to area. In North America, this could be East, Mid-West (Chicago-Dallas) and West. Rotated every year with a chance for everyone to get into the act. In England, it could go South, London (there are so many clubs there), Mid, and Northern. Thus the bidding for the South would be held during the Convention in the North. Now that is basics, very simple. The idea has been to put a few ideas up for grabs and to offer some solutions. I am quite happy to answer further questions. Questions may be sent to either this magazine or mine: SIGNAL." Back to Table of Contents -- Wargamer's Newsletter # 120 To Wargamer's Newsletter List of Issues To MagWeb Master Magazine List © Copyright 1971 by Donald Featherstone. This article appears in MagWeb.com (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other articles from military history and related magazines are available at http://www.magweb.com