Behind the Counter
Over 150 publishers and distributors exhibited their merchandise and wares in the Game Industries premiere Trade Show - and over 500 retail stores attended.
There were dozens of seminars, many seating over 100 people, put on mostly by the GAMA Retail Division - retailers educating retailers on topics ranging from hiring practices, inventory management, store diversification and other topics.
The GAMA Trade Show is something I personally believe in quite strongly - I know that after 13 years in business, when I attended for the first time in 1999, it saved my business from ruin. For many years I struggled to do $150K in annual sales, and now I struggle to make a much larger annual sales goal - which is a much more comfortable struggle. The GTS Seminars were the first real "education" I ever got on business - many retailers I suppose, and me included, got into the Games Retail side of things cause we thought it would be fun, cool, rewarding - never really considering the ramifications of business - taxes, payroll, management, etc. The seminars at GTS taught me enough that first year I attended to keep me afloat another year, and my second GTS taught me enough to become, finally, profitable.
The reasons I attend GTS are many - I like the break, I like Vegas, I enjoy seeing all my industry buddies, and I like getting the inside scoop on products, and I enjoy attending the seminars, and giving some, too.
Now, I s'pose I should point out that, as the Vice President of GAMA, I am not an unbiased bystander. But, it would also be fair to say that I have been a strong advocate of, and supporter of GAMA for several years, and that's likely why I was elected to the VP position.
This year - there was a lot to see, and do, at GTS. There was the Exhibitors Hall, of course - and actually this year we had to have TWO halls - the main hall was sold out early, so GAMA decided to open a second hall for Exhibitors - and they were connected with a wall through passageway, via the loading dock (don't ask, I didn't select the route). I believe this was a record number of exhibitor booths being sold! Exhibitors ranged from the big guys like Wizkids and Wizards of the Coast, and Upper Deck and Score, to the smaller companies like Looney Labs, Goodman Games and Troll Lord Games, and from distributors and manufacturers of every kind of game, from Role Playing Games to Board Games, to Chess and Go, and Poker - if it was a game, you could find it at GTS (with very few exceptions).
There was the seminars, which drew a record number of attendee's this year.
And the meals. I love the sponsored meals at GTS - Breakfast and Dinner's at GTS are sponsored by various companies, and who do presentations during the meals, and often give away SWAG (Stuff We All Get: SWAG) to the attending retailers. Every year, there is much swag to be had at GTS - but I hope that most retailers do not attend "just" for the freebies and such. This year there was so much free stuff given out that I saw retailers LINED UP a the hotel's service desk, shipping home boxes of stuff.
Now, I used to be a first class Swag-Hound myself, so I try not to criticize the swag-happy among us too much. :) This year, the only Swag I got was Tshirts for the new WotC Miniatures Game (DreamBlade!) Which were handed out at the dinner - a free miniature from Magnificent Ego's (which I will use as my own Player Character), and some books from the publishers of Scrye Magazine (cool stuff I didn't know they made, and which I have already ordered multiple copies for the store). I try not to be a swag-hound any more. :)
The publishers do bring stuff to give away (not all of them, mind you) and so there is much to be had on the last day of the show (as many publishers don't want to ship stuff home, or carry boxes out of the exhibit hall).
On the other hand: It is extremely embarrassing to me to be standing in a publishers booth, talking about their products, and have some swag-whore come running up, stop in the booth, do the "impatient dance" like they need to urinate, and interrupt our conversation - only to say "So, what's free?" like some Homer Simpson character. Rude. Crass. Embarrassing. I mean, it is one thing to want the free stuff, but it is another to go booth to booth to booth and ask for it before even talking to the exhibitors.
Okay, rant off. :)
Other highlights of GTS this year were the charity auction to benefit industry-fellow Todd Downing (owner of Deep7 publisher of Red Dwarf RPG). The auction was organized by me, after being suggested by Rowan Guenther - co-owner of Diversified Games. The auction realized nearly $2,000.00 to benefit Todd, who's had a bad year - having lost both his wife, and Father, to Cancer - then having his house burn down. Todd has two children, and we were just moved to help. Many publishers, and some retailers, donated stuff for his benefit auction, and the bidding was "extremely generous". This may be the most heart warming thing I get to do this year as the GAMA VP. I know it has been one of the most rewarding things I have been involved with.
Another highlight is the GAMA Night-In events, where GAMA organizes events to keep the industry folks entertained, and together, in the evenings. A Poker Tournament, Open Gaming Events, Role Playing Games and other events and tournaments - cocktail parties and more! I know that a lot of retailers (me included) look at GTS as part vacation - we want to go out, see a show, walk the strip, see the lights, and relax. On the other hand, the networking and visiting with friends the GAMA Night In events provide can not be beat - and my wife and I enjoyed several events this year. :)
For me, it was nice to see industry friends, of which I will mention just a couple - Rick Loomis has long been someone I admire, and seeing him is always a treat. I got to have dinner with Rick and his sister one evening, and that was an honor. The GAMA staff and Board has a lot of my personal friend in it and on it, and any excuse to hang out with those folks is a great time for me! Seeing folks like Joseph Goodman (Goodman Games), Chris Pramas (Green Ronin), Will Niebling (Mayfair Games) and others is always a treat, too.
I know I sound like some goob, but - I am a goob. A Gamer-Goob.
It was nice to take the 10-days off my wife and I took to spend in Vegas, and hang out with friend and family and associates. Her parents live in Vegas, so we got to hang out with them some. And, it reaffirmed my choice of vocation - that of Game Store Proprietor.
The Game Industry is a lot of fun - and plenty of work, too. GTS gives me a chance each year to remember that it is fun, provides me with many rewards in life - like the ability to work with my wife, and spend extra time with my kids. Not something I would likely get if I worked as a Truck Driver, factory worker, or Mechanic - all jobs I have held in my previous life.
Maybe that is why I love GAMA so much: GTS saved my business, and that allowed me to have this career, and enjoy an office where I work with my family, and provides me an opportunity to hang out with my kids.
I am already looking forward to GTS in 2007 - if you have any questions about GAMA, or the GAMA Trade Show - feel free to contact me directly, or visit the GAMA.org website for more information.
Marcus King
GAMA VP
Owner of Titan Games
Titan Games
637 Capital Ave SW
Battle Creek, MI 4901
