Who Isn’t at Your Table Yet? Programming That Grows Your Gaming Community

TitleWho Isn’t at Your Table Yet? Programming That Grows Your Gaming Community
Purchase / Wish List
Google
Game CodeTRD26ND314566
Start DateWednesday July 29, 2026 - 3:00 pm
End DateWednesday July 29, 2026 - 4:00 pm
Cost$0
Tickets Available50/50
Short DescriptionThe secret to a thriving gaming community isn’t more game nights. Discover what kinds of events can build broader and more durable communities, and take home ideas you can apply right away.
Long DescriptionGame nights and open play are the heartbeat of any gaming community. They’re where friendships deepen, skills grow, and regulars become family. But they tend to reach people who are already gamers. If you want to expand your community, welcome first-time players, or connect your space to the broader neighborhood, a different kind of programming belongs in the mix alongside them. This session explores how events where gaming is the conversation, rather than the activity, create the conditions for new people to walk through your door and find their place. Drawing on the Chicago Tabletop Gaming Association’s 2025 programming, we’ll unpack what worked, what surprised us, and what the patterns reveal about how communities actually grow. Retailers, librarians, and educators will leave with a practical framework and event formats ready to bring home.
Event TypeTRD - Trade Day Events
Game System
Rules Edition
Group/Company
Minimum Players10
Maximum Players50
Age RequiredEveryone (6+)
Experience RequiredNone (You've never played before - rules will be taught)
LocationJW
Room107
Table
GM Names
Web Addresswww.chicagotga.org
Email Contact[email protected]
Tournament0