GW US GT and Games Day dates announced...

[Ikarus]

2008 GAMES DAY AND GRAND TOURNAMENT DATES
The dates for the 2008 Games Day and Grand Tournament seasons have been announced. More information is coming soon.
2008 GAMES DAY DATES
Games Day Baltimore
June 14, 2008
Baltimore Convention Center
Baltimore, Maryland

Games Day Chicago
July 26, 2008
Stephens Convention Center
Rosemont, Illinois

Games Day Los Angeles
August 23, 2008
Ontario Convention Center
Ontario, California

2008 GRAND TOURNAMENT DATES
Grand Tournament Las Vegas
September 5-7, 2008
Treasure Island Casino & Hotel
Las Vegas, Nevada

Grand Tournament Chicago
October 3-5, 2008
Crown Plaza Hotel
Rosemont, Illinois

Grand Tournament Baltimore
October 24-26, 2008
Baltimore Convention Center
Baltimore, Maryland

Hi Andrew

I don't recall meeeting you, or chatting with you, sorry.

What's the deal? Well, I'm not sure there is a deal. We sold out of tickets at ALL three of our GTs this year. I checked the numbers for actual attendees from the GW website (the statistics pages) and came up with 798 (298 for LV, 210 for Chicago, and 290 for Baltimore). Anyone looking to "debate" this statistic in this setting would have no trouble finding that information.

Are the statistics from 8-9 years ago the same ones you discussed previously with Rich Curren? If so, could you please provide me those files? I know you were reluctant to give them up to Rich, but perhaps your willingness to discuss this in an open forum means that you are more willing to share them with me.

The question isn't "Why were there less than 500 for 2007?" (798 is greater than 500) The question is, what is the point of this all?

I'm unsure why there is a constant perception that Independent events "steal" people away from GW events. We (GW) run a particular type of event. This type of event isn't for everyone. Many of the Indy GTs (and other events) are run differently from our events and even from each other. Is that a bad thing? No, it's a good thing. If you don't like the composition scoring aspect of many events, head to the Gladiator tournament at Adepticon, if you don't like the lack of comp scoring at the GTs, head to the Necro (they have a great comp system BTW). We'd love to see growth in all of the events that are well run by people enjoying the hobby. In an effort to create a great environment for them to do so, we're trying to make sure that we don't negatively impact on some of the great events already running out there. We'll only put on three GTs a year for the forseeable future. There's no need to do otherwise when we can support other great Indy events, including future additional support for events in Texas so hold tight gdurant.

By keeping our events to that number we have been able to increase staffing levels at each of the events to the numbers we had "back in the day". This is very deliberate and aimed at providing a better event for all involved. Increased staffing levels at the GTs are a diferent issue to that raised by Negativemoney. We are very focused on keeping our Hobby Center staff focused on their training and development. Too many distractions that take them out of their Hobby Center (like staffing a GT) does not work well towards any of our goals.

I hope this is what you were looking for.

Cheers
Dave Taylor

BTW, no "Iron Halo" is not the 'Ard Boyz of 2008. It is an in-store program of hobby events and activities for our Hobby Centers focused on building core hobby skills (modeling, painting, tactics, etc).

BBTW, I'm sure the folks who had a great time playing in the LoTR GTs this year don't feel that it "flopped". When you make statements like that, please follow it up (or precede it) with definition you're using.

[Lord Commander Erus]

No GD Atlanta then?

[Krom_stormbrow]

What is the letter from? That's what has really got my attention grabbed.

[Ikarus]

Grand Tournaments

Here you go friends~

[Templar Mikeel]

I thought there used to be either a GD or a GT in Seattle. I guess that leaves only one option for me. GD LA!

[experiment 626]

keep in mind that GW doesn't make money with games days or GT's - we lose big time in the end! so fewer means less loses which will translate to not raising prices as often to make-up massive shortfalls!


and for all you canucks; games day toronto is june 21st! and the venues has been moved to the queen elizabeth building at the exibition grounds.

cheers!

[Lord Commander Erus]

Originally Posted by experiment 626

keep in mind that GW doesn't make money with games days or GT's - we lose big time in the end! so fewer means less loses which will translate to not raising prices as often to make-up massive shortfalls!


and for all you canucks; games day toronto is june 21st! and the venues has been moved to the queen elizabeth building at the exibition grounds.

cheers!

Not complaining, just sad... GD Atlanta was my first big exposure to the hobby.

Edit: STITCH! YOU LIVE! GET ON FLASH CHAT! DO IT NOOOOOOOOW!

[themandalorian]

BOOOOOOOOOOOO I wish they'd do a gamesday in SF, isn't it kinda stupid do do gamesday in the same locations every year?

[Lord Commander Erus]

Originally Posted by themandalorian

BOOOOOOOOOOOO I wish they'd do a gamesday in SF, isn't it kinda stupid do do gamesday in the same locations every year?

It is, and isn't.. There's pluses and minus to both, really

[Rellik]

i wish they had some closer to where i live

[Ikarus]

Originally Posted by Templar Mikeel

I thought there used to be either a GD or a GT in Seattle. I guess that leaves only one option for me. GD LA!

This has been the biggest upset every - a LOT of people are upset over no Seattle GT, a lot of people in MT, Oregon, Canada, and WA.

Its a bit rather stupid to not have one in the northwest.. well Cali gots its pleasures but still. I dont want to go to Las Vegas ..

[Lord Commander Erus]

Typical GW business sense really.

[experiment 626]

well, it depends really... having a couple of friends from the seattle area, they've said that the attendance the past few years for the events there have been dropping a bit.

considering how money GW loses to begin with running these events, they're not going to stay in an area if they're not at the very least seeing decent rises in overall attendance.
this year should be interesting for us here in the far north too - we've changed the venue & the time of year for our games day because there wasn't really any attendance growth last year!

cheers!

[Spartan-11755]

You know you want to come to Vegas and pay a shitton of money for a room.....Lawl....but Treasure Island...I think they did it for the night time Sirens Show....which is really a Strip tease with Pirates...and Women....

[Cirative]

Originally Posted by experiment 626

keep in mind that GW doesn't make money with games days or GT's - we lose big time in the end!

Wait, so GTs and GDs are entirely free?