Comments on: Tips On Herding Cats (or How I Organize My Annual GenCon Trip)

By: Scott Martin

Scott Martin — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 17:35:27 +0000

I haven't tried to travel with such a large group-- I'd ordinarily try to split it into smaller groups for ease of coordination. It sounds like it takes more work to keep a large group together, but that it's well worth it. Thanks for the advice-- it sounds useful for any large group planning.

By: grieve

grieve — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 21:04:26 +0000

@DNAPhil: I guess we can cut you some slack this time, since you seem to have a valid excuse.

By: DNAphil

DNAphil — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 12:10:32 +0000

As for the pictures...I will get some ready for posting tonight. It was so crazy coming back from GenCon and right into work, that I am still sorting through my GenCon stuff.

By: Martin Ralya

Martin Ralya — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:43:22 +0000

In all seriousness, though, this is a great post. I’ve always admired how you handle your monster group at GenCon, and now I can see the inner workings of that machine. Thank you.

By: Martin Ralya

Martin Ralya — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 22:17:56 +0000

@Grieve: Yep — and he’s required by the Gnome Code to post a picture wearing his Gnome Stew shirt, too.

Chop chop, Phil!

By: grieve

grieve — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 22:12:19 +0000

Aren't you required by law to post an image (front and back) of the GreenShirt. I mean you have to know that we all want to see it now.

By: Kurt "Telas" Schneider

Kurt "Telas" Schneider — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 21:44:06 +0000

Especially if the shirt design is pretty cool. Here is this year's design. Last year's design was a spoof of a AD&D module "GC40 - Assault on the Dealer Room". Here it is with someone you may recognize. We travel with a big group as well, about a dozen from the Austin area and another dozen from Michigan. We generally go our own way during the day, and then get into after-hours games together. Things we've learned (I'm not an original member, so others may post here with more tips): - Use a Yahoo or Google Group to coordinate and communicate with each other in the off-season. - Try to put everyone in the same hotel, preferably nearby each other. - Find an activity that everyone can enjoy. We play card and (occasionally) board games like Bang!, Fluxx, and Catan variants. - Arrive a day early, and leave a day late. You miss the rush (and stench), and everyone gets to hang out together before the insanity starts. - Get together for a group event, even if it's just dinner. This year, we went to Fogo de Chao, a Brazilian all-you-can-eat steakhouse. I'm still full.

By: DNAphil

DNAphil — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 18:34:27 +0000

I will say that at first the Group Attire sounds dorky...but I think the secret is to come up with something that by itself looks good, and that you are not embarrassed to wear. I would not have any problem wearing my GreenShirt to GenCon if I was alone. Its a cool bowling shirt. And like you said, for all the things you will wind up seeing at GenCon, a group of guys in matching shirts is hardly noticed.

By: nblade

nblade — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 15:54:57 +0000

I've never been to a Con with more than a few people, but your general advice seems solid. I had a quick laugh at the group attire thing. At first I said how dorky is that. Then I remembered, It's a dorkfest, there are going to be people doing dorkier things than that. Someday, I may actually be able to go to Gen Con (if it still exists that is)