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Gaming Hoopla is a tabletop game convention that takes place in the northern suburb of Mundelein, Illinois. The event is part of the Hoopla Foundation, which is a cancer charity. Accordingly, proceeds from Gaming Hoopla are donated to a local cancer charity. I've never been to a game convention before, though I've played board games for a few years and kicked my playing into higher gear after the onset of the pandemic. This one was a fantastic one and especially for a first timer! This particular convention was heavily focused on playing games and not on sales and the like, which is common at some other conventions. It's also a rather small one (they sold just under 500 tickets this year), so there's an opportunity to play and not everything fills up immediately. Any attendee can host a game if they like, you just have to bring the game and be willing to teach it. But there's also a library from which you can borrow if you sign up for that privilege. There's a Play and Win option, meaning you can choose one of these games to play and add the names of all players to the list, from which they'll select a winner of each game. There's a silent auction, raffle, and what's called a math trade which allows you to unload a game(s) you don't want and get something you've had your eye on. They even have a themed tournament, where games that fit the theme will count, and it's one more way to win. Pretty much everyone I encountered was super friendly. There were a lot of people from Wisconsin/Madison; I think both because this convention originated in Wisconsin but also there's a large game community in the Madison area. I was invited to their game con, Game Hole, by three different people. One of the games I'd signed up for the host didn't show up, so myself and the other woman who were there decided to play something and then when her friends stopped by we all played something else together. Even though I attended this con alone, I didn't feel out of place or uncomfortable. You can also potentially find a pick-up game; they have "Players Wanted" signs (and "Teachers Wanted signs too!) so you can grab a game and try to get a quorum to kick it off. You can be a serious board gamer, someone who plays more casually, or someone who hasn't played anything beyond Monopoly but I first heard of Gaming Hoopla a few years ago and though I bought a ticket in 2021, I didn't feel comfortable attending because of the pandemic, though they had protocols in place. But that's okay, I knew my money was going to a good cause! This year (2023) I decided because I've been curious about it, and they still had COVID protocols in place--proof of vaccination required, AND masks required for all participants--because some of the folks who attend may be undergoing treatment or be attending to support a family member who's ill or something and GH felt it was important to keep those with compromised immune systems safe. I don't know if they'll retain those type of protocols next year, so I wanted to go now. I'll also have a 10 month old next year when it comes around, so I may not be able to attend. This year was their 15th anniversary, and they raised just over $40,000 (just this year!) which was donated to Aurora Cancer Care. In their 15 years they've donated over $200K. Games and a good cause is a great way to spend a weekend and I will definitely be back. #1350 read more
