When and where did Gen Con start?
Gen Con started in August 1967 at the home of Gary Gygax in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. The first official event took place the following year when Gygax rented Horticultural Hall for almost one hundred attendees.
Questions about Gen Con
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Who owns Gen Con now and how did ownership change over time?
Peter Adkison bought Gen Con from Hasbro on the 2nd of May 2002 to form Gen Con LLC. Ownership history includes TSR Inc taking control in 1976, Wizards of the Coast purchasing TSR in 1997, and Hasbro acquiring Wizards of the Coast two years later.
Why did Gen Con move from Milwaukee to Indianapolis?
The convention moved to Indianapolis in 2003 due to a lack of hotel space and broken escalators at the Milwaukee venue. Peter Adkison cited these infrastructure issues as primary reasons for the permanent shift away from Wisconsin locations.
What legal troubles affected Gen Con in 2008?
Lucasfilm filed a lawsuit against Gen Con LLC on the 10th of January 2008 regarding Celebration IV held in 2006. Gen Con filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on the 15th of February 2008 citing significant unforeseen expenses before emerging from bankruptcy in January 2009.
How has Gen Con responded to political legislation in Indiana?
Adrian Swartout sent a letter to Indiana Governor Mike Pence on the 23rd of March 2015 urging reconsideration of SB 101 known as the Religious Freedom bill. In August 2022, President David Hoppe stated that Senate Bill 1 made it difficult to remain committed to Indiana beyond 2026.