GrandCon 2024 Recap

boardgamequest.com:

GrandCon is an annual tabletop gaming convention that takes place on or near Labor Day weekend in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It began in 2013, but due to skipping a couple years during the pandemic, this year was the show’s 10th running. The con has seen a steady increase in attendance over the years, rising from about 1,000 in 2013 to over 2,500 in 2024. This was my third time attending, though both previous visits were prior to the pandemic, and I was pleased to find it still thriving.

The convention’s main focus is on gaming and offering an array of experiences, but for the gamer looking to acquire or demo some of the latest games, GrandCon offers that too. Publishers such as The Op, Elf Creek Games, Cephofair, and CGE had prominent booths set up near the entrance, with other publishers and vendors along the walls of the main exhibit and gaming hall.

I attended with my nephew and we met up with my best gaming pal, who flew in just for the occasion. Our group of three decided to roam the hall to see what was on offer and enjoy some game demos. We played one of The Op’s new titles, Lure, and I demoed Honey Buzz from Elf Creek who were promoting a recent expansion for the game. The folks at Elf Creek said the show was going well for them and they were enjoying the more laidback setting after the chaos of GenCon earlier this summer.

Especially popular was the demo table for Avatar: The Last Airbender – Aang’s Destiny, The  Op’s newest implementation of Harry Potter: Hogwarts Battle. Many vendors offered game-adjacent accessories such as dice towers, D&D accessories and various geek culture goodies. Two or three board game retailers were also selling games, some at discounted prices, and there was a “garage sale” where attendees could sell and acquire used games.

The entire middle of the convention hall was furnished with rows and rows of tables which were in constant use. Players could check out titles from the library which, according to the GrandCon website, contains