UK Games Expo

What it is
UK Games Expo is a games exhibition and fair modelled on the Essen Spiel fair, Origins and Gencon. Games companies come and exhibit games which visitors can try out. A strong thrust is attracting new gamers and families but it aims to be a show case of what is best and new in gaming and so to appeal to gaming enthusiasts. The event includes board games, card games, miniatures games and roleplaying games along
with some computer gaming.

The first UK Games Expo was in June 2007. There were 70 exhibitors. There were 1500 visitors. In 2008 there were 2100 attendees and 80+ exhibitors. Plans for 2009 includes more room and a larger number of companies including overseas companies.

Where is it?
UK Games Expo is to held in 2009 at the same venue as in 2007 and 2008 - The Clarendon Suites, Hagley Road, Egdbaston in Birmingham. See UK Games Expo Home Page for a map.

When is it?
UK Games Expo will be on Saturday Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th June 2009.

Evening gaming: Free play rooms are provided for Friday and Saturday night visitors at the Thistle Hotel which is next door. You DO NOT need to be a resident at the Thistle to use those rooms. Last year on the Saturday evening around 200 gamers came on from the convention to play in the evening in those rooms. In 2009 the plan is for more space at the Strathallan Hotel . All you do is turn up - with games if you want and find a table. There is no charge in the evening.

Who is exhibiting and what is new
Pretty much all of the 2008 exhibitors are expected to return. Details will appear here when companies have confirmed. The organisers already know of three new boardgame releases planned for UK Games Expo and a Role playing Release.

Board Game Publishers aiming to re-attend in 2008:

Alphabet Runner Ltd.
Burley Games
Games for the World
JKLM Games
Ludorum Games
Ragnar Brothers
Shinermons Games
Surprised Stare Games Ltd
Warfrog Games

Tournaments
The UK Carcasonne Championship will be held at UK Games Expo in 2009 with the winner going to Essen to play in the Worlds championships. Many other tournaments are currently planned. Details will follow.

UK Games Expo Awards
UK Games Expo introduced awards for best new games in 2007. This aimed to encourage exhibitors and to reward good new games ideas and in particular support the UK board game industry where there is no real award structure in place. There is a wiki on these awards: UK Games Expo Awards .

UK Games expo Microbadge
There is a UK Games Expo attendee micro badge available on BGG. This is what it looks like:

Some Pictures from UK Games Expo

More Pictures and Videos

The UK Games Expo website has a Photo Album: UK Games Expo Home Page

Utube has two videos of Uk games Expo by Yog Radio and NC Soft.

Richard Denning

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