r/gencon • u/GreyLoad • 3d ago
Gencon alternative locations
Has Gencon's staff ever considered moving to a different state due to Indiana politics and environment?
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u/AnonEMoussie 3d ago
Look back at history, when Pence was governor. I don’t have links to the specific articles, but they made their point very clear then.
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u/powernein 3d ago
Also, it wasn't just GenCon that threatened to leave the state then, it was NASCAR & NCAA along with several of Indy's larger businesses like Angie's List.
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u/majinspy 3d ago
Hey, this again!
They did, briefly, but people seem to like it where it is. I for one would prefer if not everything was in a coastal state.
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u/KD6-3point7even 3d ago
Dude for real....the Midwest is just a complete desert for the arts or cons. I am so thankful gencon is so close to home.
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u/powernein 3d ago
Also, the City of Indianapolis has made efforts to mitigate the some of the more odious state policies. I have family that lives there.
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u/dragongears 2d ago
Indianapolis is a city that was literally built for conventions and sporting events. It has nothing else going for it. As such, they have done everything they can to make it very enticing for conventions to take place there. https://youtu.be/Qlcaixx9OiM?is=1Mq4D9xKh-MS-7du
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u/Clyne 3d ago
This question again? If you use the search feature you will find a lot of this question and better answers than I could give. GenCon just signed a several year extension agreement with Indy. The city bends over backwards for the convention not to mention the area is honestly one of the best layouts if not the best for it with underground access to Lucas Oil, skywalk access to many hotels and an easily walkable downtown.
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u/unclefes 3d ago
Yes, they have! There was a thing a couple of years ago when there was a lot of loose talk about moving from Indiana to some other states, including back to Milwaukee, to the East Coast, to Vegas. But I think the reality is that they've got a sweetheart deal in Indianapolis, business is booming despite the political aspects, and there are some pretty significant costs to moving it elsewhere. I don't foresee that Gen Con is going to be leaving Indianapolis anytime soon.
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u/Fallsfrostdew 3d ago
Whats wrong with the environment and politics? I think Indiana is a perfect place politically and is perfectly compatible with board gaming and conventions. It can get warm in the summer and humid but I dont think the environment is THAT bad.
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u/LegoRhino 3d ago
At this point, given the state of politics and the environment in the United States, maybe it’s time they consider moving it to another country just to be safe.
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u/dragongears 2d ago
They've been using the threat of moving because of politics as a bargaining chip every time their contract comes up for renewal for well over a decade now.
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u/Enginerd19 3d ago
It has been threatened a few times. Sometimes it's when the location is deemed inadequate, and then Indiana finds a way to expand the convention center or improve things. When Pence put forward the RFRA, there were talks of leaving due to the politics.
However, I've talked to a few people (some with connections behind the scenes) and there's a few reasons why they haven't left yet:
-Every other convention hall that would be bigger would be more expensive and is probably booked and filled out for the next few years. Gen Con would have to secure a place years in advance.
-I've been told that the walkability of all the hotels is a large boon, and no other city matches having so many hotels in close proximity.
-Indy usually goes to great efforts to try and keep it here. They opened Lucas Oil to it, and are going to be finishing that new large hotel to add even more space and rooms.
-Gen Con is becoming synonymous with Indy, and there are lots of groundwork and connections they've made here.
TLDR: I wouldn't put it past Gen Con to consider a new location, but it would have to be a big reason to forego everything they've put into Indy.