Excited for SaltCON 2014!

In just two weeks I’ll be having a blast playing a ton of board games at SaltCON!

SaltCON is a board game convention in Salt Lake City, Utah for casual and competitive gamers alike that keeps getting bigger every year.

I don’t know what most people think when they hear about a board game convention. But with SaltCON (and most board game conventions), it’s extremely family friendly. If you’ve never been to one before, just imagine a ton of people that love having fun with face-to-face interaction.

And in most cases, getting to know and laugh with complete strangers. Well, they’ll only be strangers for a few minutes. Once a game gets rolling, and it all changes. Because once you’re laughing with someone, friendships develop.

It’s all about open gaming goodness.

I’m looking forward to the fun.

SaltCON Growing

Davis county conference center — More space for more gaming!

I was unable to get to SaltCON last year because I had just started a new job. And the last time I went, the event was held in a hotel in Salt Lake City. Prior to that year, the event had been held in a building on the University of Utah campus.

But this year SaltCON is being held at a Convention Center March 28, 29, and 30!

More space, more people, more games!

New Game Awards
One of the things I’m excited about is that once again I get to be a judge in the Ion Award competition – an award for unpublished tabletop games and designers. I’ve loved being a judge at past events and meeting new designers and playing their games. What’s really cool is seeing the winning games get published – like Pizza Theory.

On the first day of SaltCON, Friday March 28, I’ll spend about 5 hours judging these new, unpublished games.

Once that wraps up, around 2:30, it’ll be time to grab some games from the Game Library and settle in for a ton of game playing.

Game Library

The best thing about board game conventions has to be the Game Library!

Just like a regular library, a game library let’s you check things out without having to buy them. Simply walk up to the counter, ask for the game you’d like to play, check it out, sit down at one of the many open gaming tables, and start playing!

I don’t know how big the SaltCON board game library will be this year. But I’m sure it will be even bigger than it has been in years past (which has been great).

My “want to play” board game and card game list is very long. Because of the SaltCON game library and the myriad of people willing to play, I’m looking forward to finally getting a chance to play many of the games on my list.

Plenty of Open Gaming

SaltCON board game convention — Tons of game publishers supporting SaltCON.

I’m also doing something this year that I haven’t done before – which is another reason I’m super excited, because it will be a new experience for me.

In years past, I’ve traveled to the convention for judging games on Friday and then returning for a number of hours on Saturday. But this year, I’m taking advantage of SaltCON being a bit further away.

Normally, an increased travel time would be a bad thing. But now I have an excuse to stay overnight near the convention center. So instead of traveling back and forth each day, I’ll be staying just across the road and can play as late into the night (or early morning) as I’d like.

I’m also planning on making a full day of gaming on Saturday as well.

(Thanks honey for my little game getaway!)

The People
Board game lovers are fantastic people. They love the human interaction of face-to-face board gaming and are very willing to meet new people.

Every year I’ve gone to SaltCON I’ve met a bunch of friendly people.

The open gaming area is full of tables with all sorts of games being played. I’ve seen a number of games being played that I was interested in learning and was always welcome to join in. It’s a great way to learn how to play a game and met new people at the same time.

Because of our game reviews and articles, we’re in contact with numerous game designers, publishers, and others in the gaming world. I love getting the chance to meet them face-to-face at SaltCON.

While I won’t be experiencing the convention with a family member this year, I will have a buddy along for the ride. He loves games and doesn’t live in the area (he’s the one I play Memoir ’44 and Dominion online with). But he will be in town that week – so bring on the games!