Attending your first convention can be daunting and overwhelming, and even if you’ve been to a convention before, you may not have had the chance to attend a tabletop convention. We’re here to help! Below you’ll find a handy guide on navigating your first Tabletop Board Gaming convention, including how to sign up for games, meet new players, take advantage of all the free stuff, and how to get the most bang for your buck!
Before the Convention
Attending a convention starts well before you get to the event! The earlier you register, the more money you’ll save AND the earlier you’ll get access to event sign-ups!
If you want to pay cash, can’t commit early, or only want to attend 1 day of the weekend, you’ll still be able to register at the door. Instructions for how you’ll be able to sign up for events if you register at the door are in the At the Convention section below.
When you register online, you’ll start by making a Tabletop.Events account. Once you’ve purchased your badge, this account will also allow you to sign up for events. We typically post our event schedule 1 month out, and allow for attendees to reserve seats about a week out.
To add an event to your schedule, you’ll need to do the following:
- Navigate to the Event you want to attend
- Click the green “Get” button in the “Buy” column. Don’t worry, all tickets are included with your badge
- Click the green “Get Ticket for [Your Name]” button.
- Click “Check Out” (you could also add more tickets to your cart at this time)
- Scroll down on the next page and make sure you complete your free checkout! Otherwise, your seat will not be saved!
If you view the schedule and don’t see a game you’d like to play, you can submit one and open it up for other attendees to play!
To submit a game you’d like others to be able to add to their schedule, you’ll need to fill out our event submission form. Once you’ve submitted your form, you’ll likely get an approval and a table assignment within a couple days. Once the event is live on the schedule, you’ll be able to view the sign-ups you’ve gotten on the event’s page.
You should also take a minute to browse our board game library – that might give you some ideas on what you might want to submit!
At the Convention
Okay you made it to Hawaii Convention Center (hopefully on the right dates!). You’ve parked ($15) or been dropped off, time to head upstairs and pick up your badge and get to gaming!
Tabletop Oahu is upstairs on the third floor, and registration is located in 313ABC. Please check out our handy maps here. Your first stop should be to pick-up (or purchase) your badge. Have your receipt from Tabletop.Events and your ID handy, though we can usually pull up your badge from having your full name.
If you’re purchasing at the door, you’ll also give us your email address. This will automatically create a Tabletop.Events account for you so you’ll also be able to login and sign up for events once you confirm your account in your email.
From there, you’re free to explore!
Your convention experience starts in room 313ABC, where you can check out a game from the board game library (you’ll need your ID to check out a game). In addition to a general library of games, we also offer dozens of play and win titles, where you can check the game out, play it, and receive an entry into a drawing to win the game Sunday of the con. There are no limits to how many times you can play and enter a game, so if you find one you love, feel free to play multiple times. If you pick up a game and are looking for players, you can also grab a little “players wanted” sign – just go set up your game and put the sign out. You can also enter one of our tournaments in 313ABC!
Aloha Adventurer’s Guild runs a wide variety of games and intro sessions with seasoned DMs in Room 313C. We highly recommend signing up for the sessions you’d like to join Tabletop.Events. If you have any issues with signing up, head to the registration desk or the RPG front desk and they’ll be happy to help and/or get you signed up directly.
Next is where most of our vendors live! They have some incredible art and wares, so make sure you stop by and check them out!
Finally, you can check out our Paint and Take area! Paint and Take is totally free, and is where you can pick a mini and paint it (we provide all the supplies, and some expert advice too!), and then you can enter it into our painting contest if you’d like!
Armed with this information, you’re sure to have a great Tabletop Oahu convention experience!
