DBA gaming venue move for Big East Cons ?

[Roland Fricke]

I've heard from a source that there is a possible change in the DBA gaming location for HCon/Coldwars. We might get moved from the current Lampeter room? Anybody know the scoop? Not sure if this is just rumor or what.

[ September 24, 2005, 08:29: Message edited by: Roland Fricke ]

[El' Jocko]

This was posted in several places last night:


[OT] HCON'06 TOURNAMENT: LOCATION ISSUE RESOLVED
From: Pete Panzeri

[* please email me direct in response because I will miss it otherwise]

Dear TOURNAMENT GAMERS and HMGS MEMBERS,

My apologies for my delayed response on this issue. Between
Operations Enduring/Iraqi Freedom and Hurricanes Katrina/Rita, I've
been unavailable unexpectedly, albeit only temporarily. My personal
response:

First,
Thanks for expressing your concern over the location of Historicon`06
Tournaments. I appreciate your input (although I got emails ranging
from polite requests to blatant boycott threats.)

Second,
The Bottom line on HCon`06 tournament location?
I called the Con Director and several BoD members directly and the
agreed upon position is:

"NO HCon`06 TOURNAMENTS WILL BE INVOLUNTARILY MOVED TO THE SHOWROOM."

Third,
LET ME PROMISE THIS:
As a long-time NASAMW member/gamer and Executive Vice President of the
HMGS East Board of Directors I can assure you that involuntarily
"exiling tournaments" to the showroom WILL NOT HAPPEN.

… And in-fact, it was never really ~in question~ of happening.

Clearly the ONLY aspect ~in question~ (having seen all the original
exchanges and called everyone myself) was the cost and usefulness of
adequate lighting in the show-room for any overflow [and willing]
events. That option proved non-cost-effective. So at worst we'll see
late registering events (including last minute tournaments), open
gaming, and possible Non-historical events there as necessary. (The
Flea Market was also considered but remember, these are HMGS members
"paying for space" for whom lighting is also essential.)

So?

So, there it is. No "Eviction." No "Exile of Tournaments." No more
flame wars.

So hey!

GLAD TO HELP YOU! Let's get back to gaming!

End of issue. End of Discussion.

PROBLEM RESOLVED! (Right?)


...


No. WRONG! **** WAIT! WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!! There is more …

PLEASE NOTE, I carefully read your entire message (and over 200 other
direct emails and yahoo posts). So I now ask you to PLEASE consider
carefully what I have to say:

This issue is NOT resolved until we solve the ROOT CAUSE.

Location is everything, and historical miniatures games showcased out
front and visible is absolutely essential to HMGS.* AND yes, the
Host's Limerock room is clearly the most visible, best lit, most
accessible, and most sought after space at the Lancaster Host.
But we can't all be in the Limerock now, can we?

I have personally devoted much of my life and utmost effort into
promoting historical miniatures gaming. Having our games exposed, made
known and well presented is a NON-NEGOTIABLE part of the hobby. I've
been a tournament gamer, convention volunteer/worker/organizer and
Game Master for over 35 years now working historical gaming
enterprises in a multitude of convention venues (as the current
Director for Historical Gaming programs at both ORIGINS and GENCON as
well as my HMGS East BoD efforts on Hcon/ColdWars/Fall In! and having
served as a member and/or Game Master in every HMGS chapter, founding
HMGS Gamers International [with GM's from Europe, to Korea to
Baghdad], founding the Game Masters Support Network, and the HMGS
Awards program, and the Academy Chair for the international Origins
Awards. I'm not saying ALL this to toot my horn, but just to add
credence to one point:

To grow and accommodate everyone, Historicon must move to a new
location as soon as possible.


THE REAL ISSUE IS
that we have a problem if ANY EVENT must be placed in "The Showroom"
(or whatever crowded corner of the HOST). The issue is NOT ~who~
gets shafted.

We are all in this together, and we ALL need to be where we can ALL
have adequate, space, lighting and exposure.

BELIEVE ME! I've see this issue before, and it is actually a GOOD sign.

IT IS A GOOD SIGN because it means we have seen significant enough
growth to have outgrown the space we have. We've grown not just in
the number of attendees (which is one of a half dozen important
indicators) but in the activities of those attendees. We now have
many MANY times the number of tournaments, more historical vendors and
manufacturers, more Game Masters and more events. However, in light of
that strategic accomplishment, we now suffer the tactical disadvantage
of being over-crowded until we move out of the Host to a new and
larger location.

So, what I am assuring you from my perspective and experience (which I
hope you will appreciate) is this:

If HMGS East fails to accommodate ANYONE fully in the crowded confines
of the Host for Historicon 2006 then HMGS fails. We all fail (And
note: SOME-body must use the damned "Showroom:" be it Tournaments or
Game Masters).

Listen, the detailed data we've collected PROVES that over 50% of our
first time attendees over the past 9 years HAVE NEVER RETURNED to
Historicon.
Why?
Because [unanimously] Historicon is an overcrowded mess!

I supported you, and so NOW I ASK YOU:

PLEASE support me in our intent to move Historicon (as soon as 2007 if
possible) where we can fairly accommodate everyone. (And ~NO~ I do
NOT propose we suffer Valley Forge.)

Some support a move, and some do not, citing a myriad of self-serving
motives. There are many seeking to keep Hcon "small and
substandard." And they* will fight tooth and nail to keep their petty
domain at the expense of gamers like you and me. (* Who "they" are
will be evident soon enough in responses to this from me.)

So the choice is now yours:

Are you going to forget the "Showroom Issue" once your personal
concerns are resolved?
OR
Are you going to renew your HMGS East membership for 2006, and HELP US
move/improve Historicon?
Help us ~REALLY~ GROW THE HOBBY, and solve this "space problem" for
everyone!

I hope I can count on you. Can I?

Sincerely,

Pete Panzeri
Executive Vice President, HMGS East BoD
NASAMW member/gamer etc. etc.

[*HMGS owes its very existence to the Wally's Basement "Protest" to
Origins relegating their historical Mini's events to a "upstairs and
hard-to-access" room some 20 years ago. OK partially. According to
Pat Condray's "HMGS History" THAT and a GAMA Origins Award for "Best
Historical Miniature" going to "System 7" (paper counters) instead of
an actual miniature line forced the issue.)