Board Game Events

Are you a tabletop activity enthusiast looking for events?

Do you want to find out which events are worth going to?

Are you planning to host your own gameboard recreation event and want some ideas and tips?

If playing board activities is your passion and you want to share in the fun with others, then tabletop gaming events are the perfect setting for you. Whether you want to attend one, or whether you want to host your very own such event for the first time, we can help you today with the information we’re sharing in this article.

From details about some of the top tabletop game events for gameboard activity enthusiasts as well as organizers you should most definitely watch out for, we’ve got it all covered. Also, we share with you tips on things you need to keep in mind if you want to host your own event.

PLEASE NOTE: This list is not meant to compare and rank events against one another, but rather to give you a running checklist of FANTASTIC events to learn about and check out. So, stop wasting time and pay a visit to one of these awesome board gaming events today!

So without wasting any more time, get on to the gaming info below!

11 Fantastic Tabletop Recreations Events To Check Out Across The Globe

#1: PAX (USA and Australia)

VISIT THEM HERE: https://www.paxsite.com/

Event dates

• Seattle, WA, USA: 30^th Aug – 2^nd Sep 2019
• San Antonio, TX, USA: 17^th to 19^th Jan 2020
• Philadelphia, PA, USA: 6^th to 8^th Dec 2019
• Melbourne, VIC, Australia: 11^th to 13^th Oct 2019

What is PAX?

• PAX showcases a collection of the best of the indie games that you may not have heard of yet and that are not yet available on any mobile platforms.
• They showcase interesting activities developed by smaller teams.
• More than 80,000 people attended PAX East in 2017.

Why to visit:

• Encourages recreation developers to speak freely
• Special competition for top prizes including trips to Japan, trips to any PAX event in the world and so on.

#2: SaltCON (USA)

VISIT THEM HERE: https://saltcon.com

Event dates

• SaltCON End of Summer: 30^th to 31^st Aug 2019 at Davis Center, Layton, UT.
• SaltCON Spring: 5^th to 8^th March 2020

What is SaltCON?

• It’s one of the largest gameboard game conventions held annually in Utah at the Davis Layton Conference Center.
• It brings people together for playing and enjoying different board recreations.
• The event had more than 1900 attendees in 2019.

Why to visit:

• Gaming halls open 24 hours
• Hosts the ION Award activity design competition, which is the largest tabletop recreation design competition in the USA.

#3: International Table Top Day (USA)

VISIT THEM HERE: https://www.tabletopday.com/

Event dates

• Usually happens in June.

What is International Table Top Day?

• It is a worldwide celebration of the gaming community and the industry.
• It’s a one day event where friends and strangers can play together.

Why to visit:

• This choice can join live on YouTube and Twitch
• Brings store owners and game lovers together

#4: Taipei Activity Show (Asia)

VISIT THEM HERE: https://www.facebook.com/taipeigameshowglobal/

Event dates

• Asia Pacific Recreation Summit: 6^th to 7^th Feb 2020
• B2B Zone: 6^th to 7^th Feb 2020
• B2C Zone: 6^th to 9^th Feb 2020

What is Taipei Game Show?

• Taipei Activity Show was established in 2003, and is now moving on to its 18th edition in 2020. In the 2019 edition, they had over 320,000 public visits, and that number ranked no.4 among the worldwide recreation event ranking.
• The “Gameboard Game Wonderland” in Taipei Activity Show was established in 2015, and is now moving on to its 6th edition in 2020.
• In Board Recreation Wonderland, you can see a wide variety of tabletop games, from war activities, RPGs, party recreations all the way to children’s gameboard games. You name it and it will be there.

Why to visit:

• Although the event is not completely focused on board activities, they have been setting up a tabletop zone ever since the establishment of Tabletop Game Wonderland for gamers to host activity sessions.
• They have invited the recreation designers from around the globe to join us in 2020, and it is now the go-to spot for all the game designers in the entire Asia-Pacific area.
• It is the only international professional gaming exhibition that takes place in Taiwan.
• Features live experience for gaming communities.
• Attended by worldwide activity publishers and media.

#5: Essen Spiel (Europe)

VISIT THEM HERE: https://www.spiel-messe.com/en/

Event dates

• 22nd to 25th Oct 2020

What is Essen Spiel?

• Essen Spiel is the world’s biggest consumer fair that focuses on gaming.
• It is a one of its kind opportunity to check out, sample and test the entire international program of recreations.
• It lets attendees join in at tables, witness ongoing games, participate, compete and watch interesting demonstrations.
• The 2019 event saw a record attendance of 209,000 visitors.

Why to visit:

• Activities for everyone on display, including family recreations, adventure and fantasy games, strategy activities, adult recreations, kids’ games, sci-fi activities and more.
• Includes new and classic recreations.

#6: SHUX (Canada)

VISIT THEM HERE: http://shux.show

Event dates

• Oct. 16-18, 2020

What is SHUX?

1. SHUX stands for The Shut Up & Sit Down Gameboard Recreation Convention.
2. It features the very best of board games and encourages the tabletop game culture.
3. It has more open gaming than any other event in Canada.

Why to visit:

• Massive social activities
• Stage performances
• Exhibition hall with over 50 publishers
• 1,500+ Title Activity Library
• More open gaming than any other show in Canada
• Dozens of special guest gameboard recreation celebrities and designers

#7: BorderCon (Australia)

VISIT THEM HERE: https://www.borderconalburywodonga.com/

Event dates

• Each year in June

What is BorderCon?

• BorderCon is a gaming event that aims to showcase various Strategy TableTop and Designer Recreations from around the world.
• It gives you access to thousands of games and lets you meet hundreds of fellow gamers.
• You can also access the Looking for Activities (LFG) Library and buy your favourite recreations from onsite retailers.
• The event limits the number of attendees to 200 each year.

Why to visit:

• 4 days of amazing gaming
• Gluten-free food options

#8: Diversao Offline (South America)

VISIT THEM HERE: https://diversaooffline.com.br

Event dates

• During April

What is DiverSao Offline?

• This board game event has a free play area, an exhibitor area, a lecture area and a prototype area.
• It has received multiple awards over the years.
• About 5,000 people attend the event.

Why to visit:

• Largest meeting point for brands in table activity segment.
• Seminars and lectures on games.

#9: UK Activities Expo (Europe)

VISIT THEM HERE: https://www.ukgamesexpo.co.uk/

Event dates

• 29^th – 31^st May 2020

What is UK Recreations Expo?

• It is one of the biggest and best premier hobby games event in the UK.
• It appeals to families and friends alike.
• A great place for recreation lovers as well as the general public.

Why to visit:

• Live events
• Food and drink

#10: Moonlight Tabletop Game Festival (Asia)

VISIT THEM HERE: https://www.moonlightboardgamefestival.tw/

Event dates

• Each year in June

What is Moonlight Gameboard Activities Festival?

• This gaming event has more than 300 of the latest board recreations from Taiwan and other countries.
• It features a selection of tabletop games such as war activities, role playing recreations, party games, model activities, strategy recreations, parent-child games, family activities, children’s recreations and many more.
• It also features new product launches, fun quizzes, stage performances, signature meetings and more.

Why to visit:

• On-site teaching
• Family-friendly

#11: ENJM (South America)

VISIT THEM HERE: https://www.enjm.com.ar/

Event dates

• 16^th to 18^th Nov

What is ENJM?

• It’s a national meeting of table top games.
• It also showcases activities from different parts of the country.
• The event features gameboard recreations, miniature games, token activities and more.

Why to visit:

• Various talks and presentations
• Huge participation from brands and schools

Your Very Own Board Activity Event?

Creating or organizing your own tabletop recreation event can be a fantastic way to network and connect with like-minded game enthusiasts in or around your home. Generally, tabletop activity events tend to end up like so:

• These events are a type of gathering that is focused around playing gameboard recreations with other gamers and board recreation fanatics.
• These events feature different brands, retailers and attendees who participate in tabletop game event competitions.
• These events can be large scale or small, and can be hosted by big brands, store owners, or gameboard activity lovers.

How to plan and organize your own board recreation event

• For the first time, it’s always better to have a theme that will make it easier to manage the entire event and the crowd.
• Scout through venues. Those with open spaces and access to washrooms, or restaurants nearby are usually good places to host. Book in advance.
• Select some tabletop games that are popular, as well as some classic and new ones. This will keep your guests happy.
• Share about it on social media, tell friends, spread the message and personally invite people who you know are interested in playing gameboard activities.

We hope you’ll have a gala time with so much play!