2017 EVENT GUIDE September 8 - 10, Fort Wayne, IN - Alliance Games
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LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT Thank you for supporting the largest Alliance Open House in the 41-year history of the company! 2017 has been a fantastic year for our industry, and as we head into the 3rd and 4th quarters, we are honored to have you with us. This past year we’ve taken lessons learned from you at our previous Open Houses and implemented them – from improvements to our website and sales solicitations to upgrading our warehouse management systems and technology. We hope that you, too, found the information from last year’s show useful and profitable. We’ve also launched new initiatives that you’ll be hearing more about during the show. Our new Roseville office and Asmodee North America Sales Specialists are up and running. We’ve been busy producing in store resources as well as video marketing materials through our Game Trade Media division. And we have a few more surprises for you this year! We hope to see each of you on the show floor, and thank you face-to-face for your trust, your valuable feedback, your critique, and your business. As always, we look forward to serving you into 2018 and beyond! Special Thanks From Dan Hirsch, President - The Entire Staff at Alliance 2017 ALLIANCE OPEN HOUSE EVENT GUIDE 1
LETTER FROM
EMILY EICKHOFF
Welcome Retailers & Exhibitors,
What a year it has been! It’s my pleasure to welcome you to
the 2017 Alliance Open House. My team and I have worked
hard the last six months to bring you the best show in Alliance’s
history. We have more peer workshops, vendor focus groups,
and special events scheduled than ever before. We’ve added
8,350 square feet to the Exhibit Hall to accommodate more than
95 exhibiting manufacturers!
The show has grown - so our space has evolved! Many of
our events have new locations, so please feel free to ask an
Alliance employee or stop by the Registration desk if you
have any questions.
Retailers, it is my hope that you will make the best of the show
by learning, networking, and gaming.
Finally, I would like to thank our many exhibitors for supporting
our show as sponsors. Without you our event wouldn’t be the same!
Marketing Manager
2 2017 ALLIANCE OPEN HOUSE EVENT GUIDETHANK YOU
SPONSORS! 2017
PLATINUM SPONSORS SILVER SPONSORS
BRONZE SPONSORS
GOLD SPONSORS
AND MANY THANKS TO ALL OUR OTHER EXHIBITORS!
2017 ALLIANCE OPEN HOUSE EVENT GUIDE 3TABLE
2017 OF CONTENTS
MEET THE ALLIANCE
MIDWEST ACCOUNT REPS............................ 6
EVENT SCHEDULE............................................ 8
SPECIAL EVENTS............................................ 10
GRAND WAYNE
CONVENTION CENTER MAP....................... 14
FOCUS GROUP SCHEDULE.......................... 16
FOCUS GROUPS............................................. 18
PEER WORKSHOP I...................................... 20
PEER WORKSHOP II..................................... 22
PEER WORKSHOP III.................................... 24
ABOUT THE SPEAKERS................................ 28
DEMO NIGHT EXHIBITORS......................... 36
DEMO HALL MAP.......................................... 37
LOCAL EATS!................................................... 38
GAME TRADE MEDIA................................... 40
HIGH PERFORMANCE,
HIGH CAPACITY WIFI
EXHIBIT HALL LIST........................................ 42
The Grand Wayne Convention Center offers
free shared and filtered Wireless Internet
access service throughout the entire EXHIBIT HALL MAP....................................... 43
convention center for all attendees.
4 2017 ALLIANCE OPEN HOUSE EVENT GUIDEMEET THE ALLIANCE
2017 MIDWEST ACCOUNT REPS
BRIAN SIROIS COREY PEREZ DON KIMES
JEFF MC MAHON JIM SWEENEY JOSH HORNBARGER
KIT ANDERSON LUKE HARDY NATASHA WEILAND
6 2017 ALLIANCE OPEN HOUSE EVENT GUIDE2017 EVENT SCHEDULE
TIME EVENT LOCATION
2:00pm-7:00pm Registration Outside Anthony Wayne Ballroom
3:00pm-4:30pm CMON’s Special Event - Modern Art Anthony Wayne Ballroom A
4:30pm-5:30pm Renegade Game Studios Anthony Wayne Ballroom B
FRIDAY
Special Event - Flip Ships
5:00pm-8:00pm WizKids Paint & Take Event (Drop In & Out) Harrison Corridor
8:00pm-12:00am Demo Night 1 - Sponsored by Convention A South
Catalyst Game Labs and
Lone Shark Games
8:00am-2:00pm Registration Outside Anthony Wayne Ballroom
9:00am-12:00pm Mayfair Games Demo 2 Demo Anthony Wayne Ballroom B
(Pre-Reg Required)
9:00am-9:45am Peer Workshop I Jefferson A-C
10:00am-10:45am Peer Workshop II Jefferson A-C
11:00am-12:30pm Vendor Focus Group I Jefferson Rooms
Wizards of the Coast Jefferson A
Games Workshop Jefferson B
SATURDAY
Upper Deck Jefferson C
12:30pm-2:30pm Lunch - Vendor Presentations Convention A North
Keynote Speaker: Renegade Game Studios
2:30pm-4:00pm Vendor Focus Group II Jefferson Rooms
Calliope Games Jefferson A
Mayfair Games Jefferson B
ANA and Alliance Games Partnership Jefferson C
4:15pm-5:00pm Peer Workshop III Jefferson A-C
5:30pm-7:30pm Dinner - Vendor Presentations Convention A North
8:00pm-12:00am Demo Night 2 - Sponsored by Convention A South
CMON & Renegade Game Studios
8:00am-9:00am Pastries & Coffee Outside Jefferson Rooms
9:00am-10:30am Vendor Focus Group III Jefferson Rooms
Wizards of the Coast Jefferson A
WizKids Jefferson B
SUNDAY
ANA Product Presentation Jefferson C
10:45am-12:15pm Vendor Focus Group IV Jefferson Rooms
Renegade Game Studios Jefferson A
CMON Jefferson B
Q-Workshop Jefferson C
12:30pm-2:00pm Lunch - Vendor Presentations Convention A North
2:00pm-6:00pm Exhibit Hall Convention C
8 2017 ALLIANCE OPEN HOUSE EVENT GUIDE2017 SPECIAL EVENTS
CMON’S SPECIAL EVENT – MODERN ART:
Friday, Sept 8 | Anthony Wayne Ballroom A | 3-4:30PM
Join the CMON staff to learn how to play Modern Art and receive a FREE
copy of the game! In Modern Art, players take on the role of curators,
buying and selling paintings for their museum. Beauty is in the eye of the
beholder, but in the high-stakes world of fine art auctions, there’s nothing
more beautiful than making a buck.
RENEGADE GAME STUDIOS
SPECIAL EVENT – FLIP SHIPS:
Friday, Sept 8 | Anthony Wayne Ballroom B | 4:30-5:30PM
Join the Renegade crew to learn how to play Flip Ships and receive a FREE
copy of the game!
Flip Ships is a cooperative dexterity game where players take on the roles
of brave pilots defending their planet from an onslaught of firepower. Flip
your ships to take out the encroaching enemies, and to take down the
powerful mother ship before it’s too late.
WIZKIDS PAINT + TAKE:
Friday, Sept 8 | Harrison Corridor | 5:00-8:00PM
Join us Friday evening as we host our second annual Paint + Take event
sponsored by WizKids. This event will have will be your first opportunity
to paint brand new, not yet released figures from WizKids unpainted
miniatures line. This is a come and go event, so feel free to drop in anytime
between 5:00 - 8:00 PM!
MAYFAIR DEMO 2 DEMO:
Saturday, Sept 9 | Anthony Wayne Ballroom B | 9AM-12PM
(Pre-Registration Required)
Mayfair Games is pleased to continue its support of Alliance Game
Distributors and once again presents its popular D2D program at the
Alliance Open House in Fort Wayne Indiana, September 9th. This session
will introduce Bärenpark, Caverna: Cave v. Cave and Run Bunny Run to
participants, while teaching them how to demo and sell each game, and
present additional materials that will support product sales.
10 2017 ALLIANCE OPEN HOUSE EVENT GUIDEALLIANCE 2017
OPEN HOUSE
14 2017 ALLIANCE OPEN HOUSE EVENT GUIDEGRAND WAYNE
CONVENTION CENTER
2017 ALLIANCE OPEN HOUSE EVENT GUIDE 15FOCUS GROUP
2017 SCHEDULE
Retailers, check your name badges! The color FOCUS GROUP I FOCUS GROUP III
running across the bottom of your name tag
Saturday, September 9th Sunday, September 10th
determines which schedule you follow.
11:00am-12:30pm 9:00-10:30am
ORANGE TAGS
will rotate rooms in the following order:
Jefferson A, B, C.
BLUE TAGS FOCUS GROUP II FOCUS GROUP IV
will rotate rooms in the following order: Sunday, September 10th
Jefferson B, C, A. Saturday, September 9th
2:30-4:00pm 10:45am-12:15pm
GREEN TAGS
will rotate rooms in the following order:
Jefferson C, A, B.
Wizards of
ORANGE TAG
Focus Group I Games Workshop Upper Deck
the Coast
Saturday | 11:00am-12:30pm Jefferson B Jefferson C
Jefferson A
ROTATION SCHEDULE Focus Group II Calliope Mayfair Games
Asmodee
North America
Saturday | 2:30pm-4:00pm Jefferson A Jefferson B
Jefferson C
Jefferson A > B > C Wizards of Asmodee
Focus Group III WizKids
Focus Group I: Saturday 11:00am-12:30pm the Coast North America
Sunday | 9:00am-10:30am Jefferson B
Jefferson A Jefferson C
Focus Group II: Saturday 2:30-4:00pm
Renegade
Focus Group III: Sunday 9:00-10:30am Focus Group IV CMON Q-Workshop
Game Studios
Focus Group IV: 10:45am-12:15pm Sunday | 10:45am-12:15pm Jefferson B Jefferson C
Jefferson A
Wizards of
BLUE TAG
Focus Group I Games Workshop Upper Deck
the Coast
Saturday | 11:00am-12:30pm Jefferson B Jefferson C
Jefferson A
ROTATION SCHEDULE Focus Group II Mayfair Games
Asmodee
North America
Calliope
Saturday | 2:30pm-4:00pm Jefferson B Jefferson A
Jefferson C
Jefferson B > C > A Asmodee Wizards of
Focus Group III WizKids
Focus Group I: Saturday 11:00am-12:30pm North America the Coast
Sunday | 9:00am-10:30am Jefferson B
Jefferson C Jefferson A
Focus Group II: Saturday 2:30-4:00pm
Renegade
Focus Group III: Sunday 9:00-10:30am Focus Group IV CMON Q-Workshop
Game Studios
Focus Group IV: 10:45am-12:15pm Sunday | 10:45am-12:15pm Jefferson B Jefferson C
Jefferson A
Wizards of
GREEN TAG
Focus Group I Upper Deck Games Workshop
the Coast
Saturday | 11:00am-12:30pm Jefferson C Jefferson B
Jefferson A
ROTATION SCHEDULE Focus Group II
Asmodee
North America
Calliope Mayfair Games
Saturday | 2:30pm-4:00pm Jefferson A Jefferson B
Jefferson C
Jefferson C > A > B Asmodee Wizards of
Focus Group III WizKids
Focus Group I: Saturday 11:00am-12:30pm North America the Coast
Sunday | 9:00am-10:30am Jefferson B
Jefferson C Jefferson A
Focus Group II: Saturday 2:30-4:00pm
Renegade
Focus Group III: Sunday 9:00-10:30am Focus Group IV Q-Workshop CMON
Game Studios
Focus Group IV: 10:45am-12:15pm Sunday | 10:45am-12:15pm Jefferson C Jefferson B
Jefferson A
16 2017 ALLIANCE OPEN HOUSE EVENT GUIDE2017 FOCUS GROUPS
Focus Group I - Jefferson A Saturday, 11:00am-12:30pm For centuries, the untamed jungles of Ixalan have hidden a coveted secret: Orazca, the city of gold. But no
secret can remain undiscovered, and no treasure can be taken uncontested. Unfurl your sails, saddle up a
Wizards of the Coast Magic: dinosaur, and battle your rivals as you embark on a journey to claim the plane’s greatest fortune for yourself!
Join Mark Price as he describes the flavor and story of Ixalan, talks about the new player path from Open
Ixalan and the Player’s Path House through League and Standard Showdown!
Focus Group I - Jefferson B Saturday, 11:00am-12:30pm Shadespire is a new tactical arena combat game on its way later this year. This is a system designed for balanced,
small-scale tactical games, that can be played quickly and easily by anyone, but which even experienced players
Games Workshop: An introduction to will find challenging to master. The game rules are designed with competitive play in mind; matches can be played
Warhammer Underworlds: Shadespire and in under 45 minutes, on a smaller surface than our larger-scale games, and will be ideal for club or tournament
Organised Play play. And not only that, we’ll be fully supporting an organised play system for this game, right from day one.
Focus Group I - Jefferson C Saturday, 11:00am-12:30pm Upper Deck Entertainment is the worldwide leader in trading card games, producing the best products in
the marketplace. With licenses from Marvel, Sanrio Inc., and HIT Entertainment, Upper Deck Entertain-
Upper Deck: Talking with ment covers properties including Thor, the Mighty Avenger; Marvel Beginnings; Hello Kitty; and Thomas &
Friends. Whether it’s a new trading card set, trading card game or a challenging diversion for kids to play,
Upper Deck Entertainment Upper Deck Entertainment fills the need.
Focus Group II - Jefferson A Saturday, 2:30-4:00pm Ray Wehrs, President of Calliope Games, will discuss ”What’s New” at Calliope Games…this
Calliope Games: The Good, year’s Titans and more! Plus, the importance of ”Brand” and “How Calliope Games intends to
The Good, And the Good! protect theirs.”
Focus Group II - Jefferson B Saturday, 2:30-4:00pm Join Mayfair Games and learn about the new and upcoming products for 2017 with a sneak
peek at 2018! Share your feedback on current product and ideas for ways we at Mayfair can
Mayfair Games: New Releases help make your job easier in the world of games. Plus… let’s talk about our future promotions
from Mayfair Games and opportunities for you as retailers.
Focus Group II - Jefferson C Saturday, 2:30-4:00pm Please join us for an insightful presentation on how the unique partnership between Asmodee
Asmodee North America: Asmodee North North America and Alliance Game Distributors will work to help support hobby game retailers,
American and Alliance Games Partnership expand their business, and grow the greater gaming industry.
Focus Group III - Jefferson A 9:00-10:30am Mark Price and Shelly Mazzanoble are on-hand to talk about all of the incredible
Wizards of the Coast - New Releases from Dungeons & Dragons and Avalon Hill products coming this fall. Learn all about Betrayal at
Dungeons & Dragons and Avalon Hill Baldur’s Gate, the Axis & Allies Anniversary Edition, and more!
Focus Group III - Jefferson B 9:00-10:30am Get the inside scoop on all of WizKids’ upcoming board game releases! Want to know more
about WizKids’ business or have burning questions that you’d like answered by someone on
WizKids: Behind the Curtain with WizKids the WizKids team? This is your chance to ask and learn — WizKids wants to hear from you!
Focus Group III - Jefferson C 9:00-10:30am Join Asmodee North America as we discuss the exciting lineup of upcoming products from As-
Asmodee North America: Asmodee modee Studios and partners such as Space Cowboys, Catan, Z-Man Games, Days of Wonder,
North America Product Seminar Fantasy Flight Games, Repos, Libellud, Ludonaute, and Pearl Games.
Focus Group IV - Jefferson A 10:45am-12:15pm Join the Renegade Team to find out about upcoming games and special retailer promotions
Renegade Game Studios: Renegade geared toward maximizing your holiday sales. Learn about our Early Release programs, avail-
Announces Holiday Retail Programs able Play Renegade! Kits, and details of our upcoming games.
CMON has had an exciting 2017, and we invite all of you to join us at our “What’s Next” seminar during
Focus Group IV - Jefferson B 10:45am-12:15pm the Alliance Open House. In this seminar, Jules Vautour, CMON’s Sales Director, will highlight exciting
CMON: What’s Next for CMON? new titles arriving in 2018 and discuss the CMON Play program – the brick and mortar retailer program
with exclusive offers for members. We look forward to seeing you there, and showing you what’s next!
Gamers LOVE dice. More importantly, almost EVERY gamer needs dice! Join Q-Workshop as
Focus Group IV - Jefferson C 10:45am-12:15pm they discuss this very important accessory and how stores can effectively sell (more) dice, best
Q-Workshop: Never Say Die! take advantage of displays, and more as they draw upon years of personal experience and
retailer feedback.
18 2017 ALLIANCE OPEN HOUSE EVENT GUIDESATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 PEER
WORKSHOP I
9:00am – 9:45am
Every day in the retail store there is limited time to get
INDUSTRY TOOLS FOR our information in front of the customer. Even before they
RETAILERS THAT CAN come in they have researched product, reviews and release
MAKE YOUR JOB EASIER dates. Learn about the Dized app that is going to replace
with Lynn Potyen the rules book, FLGS -tv selling by turning existing in-store
TV monitors into POS marketing platforms, tabletop game
JEFFERSON A
convention management programs and other resources.
Are you a Store Manager who doesn’t quite get why the
THINKING LIKE AN Owner does something? Or are you an Owner who has
OWNER/THINKING forgotten what it means to lead the sales team? Maybe
you’re the Owner thinking about promoting an employee
LIKE A MANAGER
to be a Store Manager because you feel overwhelmed. If
with Angie Blackmon
you are any of these, then this seminar is for you! We’ll
& David Wheeler cover what challenges the Owner and causes sleepless
nights, how to include the Manager in the “big” things and
JEFFERSON B
what effective team work means for both.
An overview of the daily activities and responsibilities
BEHIND THE SCENES typical for an account rep. They will explore what the ideal
with your dynamic between a retail store and their Alliance rep
Alliance Representative should look like and how to best utilize relationships with
the Alliance sales team, as well as discuss some of the tools
JEFFERSON C
and benefits available to all Alliance customers.
20 2017 ALLIANCE OPEN HOUSE EVENT GUIDESATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 PEER
WORKSHOP II
10:00am – 10:45am
In this workshop, we’ll look at the hard facts of how
PRICING YOURSELF discounting can lead to the downfall of a store’s business.
OUT OF BUSINESS - The presentation breaks down costs of business and the
THE DANGERS OF percentage of profit that should be expected, and show
DISCOUNTING how discounting could cause store owners to pay their
with Brandon Adamson customers, rather than getting paid. We’ll also examine the
positive points to discounting, like store loyalty and moving
JEFFERSON A
dead product.
Diversification of product lines can improve the sustain-
PURCHASING & ability of your business, widen your demographic, and
establish positive customer relations while minimizing risk.
PRODUCT Oftentimes, we sacrifice product opportunities for budget,
space, or even personal disinterest. We’ll talk about how
DIVERSIFICATION
expanding your investment into new products, lines, and
with Drake Siegel even whole departments can help your business be more
financially secure in today’s industry through customer in-
& Angie Blackmon teraction and feedback, identifying areas for growth and
minimizing the risk associated with a growing inventory all
JEFFERSON B while generating interest and attracting new customers to
your business.
Ted Bonafede, Alliance’s Asmodee Sales Specialist
Manager, will provide insight into this exciting new role
ASMODEE NORTH while explaining how the ANA Specialist can best serve
AMERICA WORKSHOP your store’s needs. This workshop will explore the ANA
with Ted Bonafede specialist position, demonstrate how two reps can be better
than one, provide a review and explanation of the exclusivity
JEFFERSON C
relationship between ANA and Alliance as well as offer a
forum for some Q&A.
22 2017 ALLIANCE OPEN HOUSE EVENT GUIDESATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 PEER
WORKSHOP III
4:15pm – 5:00pm
Back in 1994, Al Ries and Jack Trout published the 22
Immutable Laws of Marketing, all of which are still valid
THE 22 IMMUTABLE
today. As with any law, you can certainly break them but,
LAWS OF MARKETING
as with any law, before you break it, you ought to know the
with Scott Thorne
reasoning behind it first. This presentation briefly looks at
JEFFERSON A the 22 marketing rules developed by the men who also first
developed and popularized the concept of market positioning.
Ever wonder what separates a great event with an amazing
turnout and a good one with mediocre attendance? Or
DEVELOPING YOUR what it takes to bring the fundamentals of a great event into
building long term success for a game or community? Then
GAMING COMMUNITY
this talk is right for you. We’ll go over what drives success at
with Chris Fedor events, how to have success with organized play and what
you can do to improve events. We’ll also discuss building
& Angie Blackmon
trust and successful tournament organizer roles within your
JEFFERSON B store, how to know when to drop a game or event, when
it’s ok to “fire” a toxic customer and how you can build a
broader community to increase your store revenues.
An exploration of inventory management strategies with
FELLOWSHIP OF a focus on gross margin return on investment. Journey
THE THINGS with the fellowship, from the soft sandy decisions of new
with Mike Kistler releases through the heartland of the evergreens to the cold
calculated tundras of low turns. Be rewarded with adven-
JEFFERSON C
ture, experience, and treasure!
24 2017 ALLIANCE OPEN HOUSE EVENT GUIDEABOUT
2017 THE SPEAKERS
BRANDON ADAMSON
Brandon Adamson has been a gladiator in the retail industry for over
21 years and has been in the gaming retail industry for over 18. He
has battled in the ring of corporate retail, as well as held his own in
the smaller (but no less deadly) game store arena. He is currently the
General Manager for Fantasy Books Inc., a chain of four stores in the
St. Louis Metro East area. With no shortage of scars and a little bit of
wisdom, he comes with great humility and feels blessed to be allowed to
speak before fellow game store enthusiasts.
ANGIE BLACKMON
Angie Blackmon is the Owner of Dragon’s Lair Comics & Fantasy®, in
Austin, Texas. She has been working in the gaming industry for over 12
years, holding positions from Sales Associate to Ownership. Her nearly
11,000 square foot store has won numerous Game Trade Awards, Best
Practice Awards and Power Retailer Awards. She is passionate about
moving the gaming industry forward and recently accepted a position
with the GAMA Retailer Division. When she’s not busy pursuing her
dream, she can be found playing board games, role playing games or
preparing to join her staff on the minis tables!
TED BONAFEDE
Ted began his love of gaming with tabletop miniatures games. After
several years of enjoying the hobby, Ted decided that his goal was to
have a career in the gaming industry; thus began his job at Games
Workshop, first in the casting room in the Glen Burnie, MD location and
then Mail Order. After several fun, challenging years there, Ted came to
work for Alliance Games as a sales rep. After seven years of working
as a rep, he surprised even himself by applying for the Sales Manager
position that had opened in the east location. The following 3 years as
a manager honed his skills and prepped Ted for the job he is doing
today - as the Asmodee Specialist Sales Manager for Alliance. It has
been an amazing experience so far, and he is looking forward to this
new challenge!
28 2017 ALLIANCE OPEN HOUSE EVENT GUIDEABOUT
2017 THE SPEAKERS
CHRIS FEDOR
Chris Fedor has worked for Dragon’s Lair Comics & Fantasy ® in
Austin, Texas for almost four years. He started as an Events Tournament
Organizer and was promoted to Events Manager in 2016, overseeing
the growth and success of the store’s Organized Play Programs. He is
responsible for increasing their presence by running massive regional
tournaments, exclusive content and off-site conventions. During his
tenure, the store won the GAMA Outstanding Organized Play Program.
His years of geeking out with his friends playing D&D, Magic, Warhammer
and more helped him have a diverse understanding of the different
gaming cultures within our community. Always on the lookout for new
communities to reach, both big and small, he’s happy to listen to what
might be the next fun adventure in the tabletop world.
MIKE KISTLER
I’ve been pretty nerdy and drawn to games and collectibles since child-
hood, with sports cards, Super Mario, and HeroQuest serving as a gate-
way to the hard stuff like Magic and D&D, and I’ve been involved in the
gaming industry off and on for the majority of the past 13 years, the
last 4 of which have been with Epic Loot, which has gaming and comic
stores in the Dayton, Ohio area. As a co-owner and our Operations
Manager, I improve our processes and - in a rare case of using a college
degree, mine in Management Information Systems - I handle a lot of our
data and analysis. During the past year I’ve also served on the GAMA
Retail Division board, where I was nominated as vice chair in March.
LYNN POTYEN
Lynn Potyen is a retailer of 11 years, she created the rental model that is
being used worldwide. Lynn is an advocate for using games to enhance
brain health and has used this technique to help not only her customers
but her family and community. In her time as a retailer and industry
leader, Lynn has served her communities on the GAMA Retail Board
(2011-2017, Chairperson 2014-2015), as a member of the Sheboygan
County Chamber Business Advocacy Team (2010-Present) and the
Dementia Friendly Task Force (2015-Present), and has received numer-
ous awards in recognition of her dedication to the industry.
30 2017 ALLIANCE OPEN HOUSE EVENT GUIDEABOUT
2017 THE SPEAKERS
DRAKE SIEGEL
Drake Siegel is the Purchasing/Merchandising Manager at Dragon’s
Lair Comics & Fantasy® in Austin, Texas. He began his three plus years
of tenure as a Holiday Sales Associate, was then hired on full-time and
quickly showed an aptitude for product placement and understanding
what customers wanted to purchase. Drake manages inventory across
30 diverse departments in the nearly 11,000 square foot store and is
passionate about maintaining inventory while branching out into new
product lines.
SCOTT THORNE
Scott Thorne has taught marketing since 1991, first at Southern Illi-
nois State University in Carbondale, Illinois and currently at Southeast
Missouri State University, Cape Girardeau, MO, specializing in con-
sumer behavior and retailing. He also runs Castle Perilous Games and
Books, the name of which he mildly regrets but is loath to give up given
the brand equity invested in it, which opened in Carbondale in 1990
and is one of the oldest tabletop game stores in the country. He also
writes the popular “Rolling for Initiative” weekly column for ICV2.com.
DAVID WHEELER
In 1983, while attending the University of Texas, David Wheeler received
his first paycheck for working at a comic book store. In 1986 he opened
his own store.
Now, thirty plus years later, a comic book and game store veteran, he
manages a franchise of stores that operate under the name of Dragon’s Lair
Comics & Fantasy ®.
In his professional life he has dealt with Retailing, Marketing, and almost
every aspect of comic book and game sales. And leases. So, so many leases.
He has also been President, Vice President and Past President of PACER,
a comic Retailer organization, has served on the GAMA Retailer Board.
He trusts and looks forward to more adventures and learning experiences
to come.
32 2017 ALLIANCE OPEN HOUSE EVENT GUIDEFRIDAY NIGHT SPONSORS DEMO NIGHT
EXHIBITORS
Alderac AEG........................................................D7 Mayday Games ������������������������������������������������������������������������������� F6
Arcane Wonders ���������������������������������������������������J5 Mayfair Games ������������������������������������������������������������������������� F3, G3
Ares Games..........................................................C3 Monte Cook Games �������������������������������������������������������������������������K6
Asmodee North America ������������� A2, B2, C2, D2, E2 Ninja Division ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������� G6
F2, G2, H2,I2, J2, K2, L2, North Star Games �������������������������������������������������������������������������� N5
M2, N2, A3, B3, M3, N3 Osprey Games ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������M5
Atlas Games.........................................................H5 Paizo Inc ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� L6
Bandai Co LTD..................................................... G5 Palladium Books INC �����������������������������������������������������������������������M7
Bezier Games.......................................................D3 Party People Games ������������������������������������������������������������������������ A4
Breaking Games.................................................. N7 Pokemon ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� G7
Calliope Games.................................................... K3 Privateer Press ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������� E5
Capstone Games �������������������������������������������������� F7 PSI - Cryptozoic ������������������������������������������������������ J4, K4, L4, M4, N4
Catalyst Game Labs ��������������������������������������������� K1 PSI - Daily Magic Games ����������������������������������������� J4, K4, L4, M4, N4
Cheapass Games ������������������������������������������������� I5 PSI - Dude Games ��������������������������������������������������� J4, K4, L4, M4, N4
CMON............................................................E1, F1 PSI - Greenbrier ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������J6
Creative Goods Company ������������������������������������ N7 PSI - Indie Board & Card ����������������������������������������� J4, K4, L4, M4, N4
Czech Games Edition �������������������������������������������A6 PSI - John Wick Productions ������������������������������������� J4, K4, L4, M4, N4
Devir Americas..................................................... B6 PSI - NSKN.............................................................. J4, K4, L4, M4, N4
Elzra Corp............................................................C6 PSI - Portal Games �������������������������������������������������� J4, K4, L4, M4, N4
Everything Epic ....................................................D6 PSI - Stronghold ������������������������������������������������������ J4, K4, L4, M4, N4
Fearlight Games ���������������������������������������������������� I7 Publishing Services Inc ��������������������������������������������� J4, K4, L4, M4, N4
Fireside Games.....................................................H6 Quick Simple Fun ����������������������������������������������������������������������������M6
Games and Gears ������������������������������������������������C5 R&R Games ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ N6
Games Workshop............................................ H4, I4 Red Raven Games ���������������������������������������������������������������������������� L5
Gigamic................................................................ I6 Reliquary Games ������������������������������������������������������������������������������ I7
Greater Than Games �������������������������������������������� B4 Renegade Game Studios ���������������������������������������������������������������I1, J1
Green Ronin Games ���������������������������������������������H7 Sabol Designs ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������K7
Haba USA.............................................................J7 Smart Zone Games �������������������������������������������������������������������������� L7
IDW Games...........................................................J7 Smirk and Dagger ��������������������������������������������������������������������������� A7
Iello.......................................................................L3 Steamforged Games ������������������������������������������������������������������ C4, D4
IMP - Cephalofair............................................A5, B5 Steve Jackson Games ����������������������������������������������������������������������� B7
IMP - Goodman Games ����������������������������������A5, B5 Tasty Minstrel Games ������������������������������������������������������������������������ L7
IMP - Grand Gamers Guild �����������������������������A5, B5 Thames & Kosmos ����������������������������������������������������������������������������C7
IMP - Green Couch Games �����������������������������A5, B5 The Army Painter ����������������������������������������������������������������������������M7
IMP - Jasco Games..........................................A5, B5 Twilight Creations ����������������������������������������������������������������������������� E3
IMP - Level 99 Games �������������������������������������A5, B5 Ultra Pro International ��������������������������������������������������������������������� E4
IMP - Modiphius .............................................A5, B5 Upper Deck �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������J3
IMP - Studio 9 Games ������������������������������������A5, B5 USAopoly ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� F5
Impressions.....................................................A5, B5 White Wizard Games ���������������������������������������������������������������������� E7
Konami................................................................ K7 Wizards of the Coast ����������������������������������������������������������������� F4, G4
Legion Supplies..................................................... E6 WizKids �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������H3, I3
Lone Shark Games �����������������������������������������������D1 Wyrd Games �����������������������������������������������������������������������������������K5
Mantic Games......................................................D5
36 2017 ALLIANCE OPEN HOUSE EVENT GUIDESATURDAY NIGHT SPONSORS
DEMO HALL MAP
A2 A3 A4 A5 A6 A7
R
A
B
B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7
C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7
D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7
E1 E2 E3 E4 E5 E6 E7
DOOR
F1 F2 F3 F4 F5 F6 F7
DOOR
SPONSOR G2 G3 G4 G5 G6 G7
SPONSOR H2 H3 H4 H5 H6 H7
I1 I2 I3 I4 I5 I6 I7 I7
J1 J2 J3 J4 J5 J6 J7 J7
K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K7
L2 L3 L4 L5 L6 L7 L7
M2 M3 M4 M5 M6 M7 M7
B
A
R
N2 N3 N4 N5 N6 N7 N7
2017 ALLIANCE OPEN HOUSE EVENT GUIDE 37Looking for a good place to eat while at the show?
LOCAL EATS!
Not sure where the best places are? We’ve got you covered.
Check out the various local hot spots mapped out below -
all of which are in walking distance from the
Convention Center and Hilton Downtown Hotel.
1. DASH-IN 6. KING GYROS (CASH ONLY)
814 South Calhoun St 302 West Jefferson Blvd
Bustling pub/coffeehouse serves breakfast, lunch & dinner plus 23 Unpretentious fast-food restaurant serving pita sandwiches & other classic Greek fare.
rotating beers on tap.
7. STARBUCKS
2. 816 PINT & SLICE
502 W Jefferson Blvd
816 South Calhoun St
Hangout serving a menu of creative pizzas & craft beers in a laid-
back space with couches. 8. WINE DOWN - TASTINGS AND TAPAS
301 West Jefferson Blvd
3. J K O’DONNELL’S New American small plates & 50+ vintages served in a chic bar with a spacious patio &
121 West Wayne St live music.
Pub offering beer & scotch, bar bites & soccer on TV amid classic
Celtic ambiance.
9. WENDY’S
1021 South Clinton St
4. JIMMY JOHN’S
Fast-food burger chain known for its shakes, as well as sides such as chili & baked potatoes.
101 West Wayne St
Counter-serve chain specializing in sub & club sandwiches, plus
signature potato chips. 10. SUBWAY
1111 South Clinton St
5. DUNKIN DONUTS Casual counter-serve chain for build-your-own sandwiches & salads.
900 Library Plaza
Connected to Public Library
38 2017 ALLIANCE OPEN HOUSE EVENT GUIDEGAME
TRADE MEDIA
As part of the media marketing arm of Alliance Game Distributors,
our mission is to excite and inform retailers and consumers of
the products we distribute through quality video content over
many platforms, including, but not limited to: Facebook, Instagram,
Twitter, Twitch and our website GameTradeMedia.com.
www.facebook.com/Gametrademedia/ @GameTradeMedia
www.instagram.com/GameTradeMedia/ www.twitch.tv/gametrademedia
JOSH GEPPI — PRESIDENT
Josh Geppi has over 20 years of professional experience in the
comic/pop culture industry. Former President of Diamond Inter-
national Galleries where he sold pop culture collectibles and art-
work, Josh is now the President of ComicWow. ComicWow is the
multi-media marketing branch of Diamond Comic Distributors,
Inc. He is excited about the recent addition of the Game Trade
Media imprint to ComicWow. Josh is an avid comic collector and
all-around nerd, who enjoys games, original artwork, and meet-
ing new people. Though new to the tabletop gaming scene, the
bug has bitten him already!
RICHARD ANKNEY —
PRODUCTION MANAGER
Richard “Big Rick” Ankney is a retired Navy Corpsman,
who finds himself working in the industry that 15-years-
old Rick would have never imagined he would be a part
of! As Production Manager for Game Trade Media and
ComicWow, Big Rick’s mission is to bring the world of
gaming and comics to an even broader audience!
JOHNNY ROSE —
FULL-TIME VIDEOGRAPHER;
PART-TIME TIME TRAVELER
When he’s not visiting fantastic worlds in his time travel-
ling police box, Johnny can be found creating engaging
video content for Game Trade Media and Comic Wow in an
industry that he fell in love with as a kid.
40 2017 ALLIANCE OPEN HOUSE EVENT GUIDEEXHIBIT
2017 HALL LIST
Alderac AEG..................................................................................702 Legion Supplies................................................... 806
Arcane Wonders ����������������������������������������������������������������������������106 Lone Shark Games.............................................. 209
Ares Games....................................................................................404 Mantic Games.................................................... 203
ANA - Asmodee ����������������������������������������������������������������������������302 Max Protection.................................................... 709
ANA - Catan Studio �����������������������������������������������������������������������306 Mayday Games.................................................. 205
ANA - Fantasy Flight Games ����������������������������������������������������������301 Mayfair Games................................................... 401
ANA - Days of Woner ��������������������������������������������������������������������304 Monster Protectors............................................... 707
ANA - Plaid Hat Games �����������������������������������������������������������������305 Monte Cook Games............................................ 606
ANA - Z-Man Games ���������������������������������������������������������������������303 Ninja Division..................................................... 308
The Army Painter ���������������������������������������������������������������������������409 North Star Games .............................................. 204
Atlas Games...................................................................................603 Osprey Games.................................................... 703
Bandai Co LTD................................................................................609 Paizo Inc............................................................ 405
Bezier Games.................................................................................604 Palladium Books INC........................................... 809
Breaking Games ����������������������������������������������������������������������������206 Party People Games............................................ 408
Calliope Games..............................................................................202 Pokemon............................................................ 104
Capstone Games ����������������������������������������������������������������������������407 Privateer Press..................................................... 207
Catalyst Game Labs �����������������������������������������������������������������������504 PSI - Academy Games......................................... 506
Cheapass Games ��������������������������������������������������������������������������511 PSI - Cryptozoic.................................................. 506
CMON...........................................................................................601 PSI - Daily Magic Games..................................... 506
Creative Goods Company ���������������������������������������������������������������307 PSI - Dude Games............................................... 507
Czech Games Edition ���������������������������������������������������������������������705 PSI - Greenbrier.................................................. 507
Devir Americas...............................................................................706 PSI - Indie Board & Card..................................... 508
Dex Protection.................................................................................804 PSI - John Wick Presents...................................... 508
Diamond Comic Distributors ������������������������������������������������������������802 PSI - NSKN......................................................... 509
Elzra Corp......................................................................................805 PSI - Portal Games.............................................. 509
Everything Epic ..............................................................................309 PSI - Stronghold.................................................. 510
Fearlight Games..............................................................................107 Publishing Services Inc......................................... 510
Fireside Games...............................................................................608 Q-Workshop....................................................... 701
GAMA Game Manufacturers Association ����������������������������������������803 Quick Simple Fun................................................ 105
Game Trade Media ������������������������������������������������������������������������801 R&R Games........................................................ 406
Games and Gears ��������������������������������������������������������������������������311 Red Raven Games............................................... 605
Games Workshop ��������������������������������������������������������������������������201 Reliquary Games................................................ 107
Gaming Paper LLC �������������������������������������������������������������������������811 Renegade Game Studios...................................... 102
Gigamic.........................................................................................607 Smirk and Dagger............................................... 108
Greater Than Games ����������������������������������������������������������������������502 Steamforged Games............................................ 103
Green Ronin Publishing ������������������������������������������������������������������208 Steve Jackson Games.......................................... 505
Haba USA......................................................................................410 Tasty Minstrel Games........................................... 808
IDW Games....................................................................................810 Thames & Kosmos............................................... 312
Iello................................................................................................403 Twilight Creations................................................ 402
IMP - 9th Level Games ��������������������������������������������������������������������708 Ultra Pro International ........................................ 602
IMP - Cephalofair ���������������������������������������������������������������������������708 Upper Deck ....................................................... 503
IMP - Goodman Games ������������������������������������������������������������������708 USAopoly........................................................... 704
IMP - Grand Gamers Guild �������������������������������������������������������������708 Vallejo Hobby Colors........................................... 807
IMP - Green Couch Games �������������������������������������������������������������708 White Wizard Games......................................... 610
IMP - Jasco Games �������������������������������������������������������������������������708 Wizards of the Coast........................................... 501
IMP - Level 99 Games ���������������������������������������������������������������������708 WizKids............................................................. 101
IMP - Studio 9 Games ��������������������������������������������������������������������708 Wyrd Games...................................................... 310
Impressions.....................................................................................708 Alliance Ordering Booth............................... 109,700
Konami..........................................................................................411 GTM/Beholder Pick-Up....................................... 812
42 2017 ALLIANCE OPEN HOUSE EVENT GUIDEEXHIBIT
ORDERING
BOOTH
HALL MAP 2017
209 312 411 511 610
709 812
108 208 410 510 609
311
107 409 509 608 708 811
207
408 508 607 707 810
310
106 206 407 507 606 706 809
105 205 309 406 506 705 808
605
104 308 405 505 807
204 704
307 504 806
404 604
306 805
103 203 503 703
305 603 804
403
304 803
102 202 502 602 702
303 402 802
302
101 201 401 501 601 701 801
301
ORDERING BOOTH
DOORS
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