Gen Con, the largest and longest-running tabletop gaming convention, had a record-breaking attendance of over 71,000 in 2024, with more than 500 exhibitors attracting a rather unique audience combination of manufacturers, reps, buyers, consumers, influencers and traditional media. There aren’t a lot of industry events, let alone at that size, that bring together such an incredible mix. Similarly, when you think about all the categories Gen Con features, it’s also pretty diverse and impressive: you’ve got strategy games, licensed and unlicensed (or original IP), dice games, card games, brain teasers, cooperative games, family friendly games, party games, adult only games and so much more. 

Gen Con checks a lot of boxes when it comes to delivering a good, if not great, experience for almost everyone in attendance. However, based on our research, what’s been lacking is a dedicated experience that helps brands get access to the media and influencers on site.  The show is massive, similar to Toy Fair, so breaking through the noise at the show is paramount. While there are game nights and of course brands have the ability to schedule media appointments during the show and some brands as well as media do benefit from that, in our experience, that’s simply just not enough anymore. On the show floor the media are fighting for access to check out the products and learn about the game play, they’re competing with buyers, brand fans and consumers that in many cases take priority, right or wrong, over the media. 

That is the exact problem Carve-X @ Gen Con solves. That is the “why.” 

Carve-X, @ Gen Con is an exclusive, invite only, press-only event designed to offer the media curated game demonstrations and previews away from the cluttered show floor. No buyers or consumers are allowed. It’s truly all about the media. Carve-X is a different kind of media-only event. Gone are the days of media events with 6-foot tables and roll-up banners. In are immersive and interactive game-play spaces and experiences that give the media a true, fun & engaging experience with products to play, play & actually play the games at the many tables! Giving the media an authentic board game cafe vibe, with over 35 RSVPs for last year's event, 35+ media were in attendance before the doors even opened up and best of all, many stayed for the entire 2-hour event playing several games from start to finish. That in itself is what makes the board game industry so special, so intriguing and so sticky.

With space extremely limited, more than half of the confirmed brand partners for this year are returning from last year’s Carve-X and one brand’s spokesperson had this to say, “We participated in Carve-X @ Gen Con last year based on the simple fact that we are trying to reach that growing audience of kidults and the same holds true today. With the increasing market share, attention and demand to reach the kidult and eldertainment industry, this event more than any other is a platform to do just that.”

Carve-X is not meant to compete with the show itself, instead, it’s meant to enhance it. For those that have a booth, Carve-X is a great addition if you want to reach the media and creators. If you don’t have a booth, whether it’s due to budget constraints, staffing shortages or perhaps you don't have the media relationships, then Carve-X @ Gen Con is right for you. 

We know the question that you’re asking yourself right now. Whether you planned ahead and have new 2025 products here, you’re dealing with shipping delays and product will be late OR you’ve decided 2025 is about focusing on your evergreen best-sellers and you want to turn that inventory into revenue, Carve-X @ Gen Con will help you build awareness with this crucial audience heading into the all important holiday buying season.

To learn more, feel free to reach out to me at scott@carvecomms.com or on LinkedIn.