UK Games Expo
| UK Games Expo | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Board Games, RPGs, Hobby Games |
| Location(s) | Birmingham |
| Country | England |
| Inaugurated | June 2007 |
| Activity | Seminars, Tournaments, Trade Halls |
| Leader | UK Games Expo Ltd |
| Website | |
| http://www.ukgamesexpo.co.uk | |
UK Games Expo (UKGE or Expo) is a tabletop gaming expo held annually at the NEC Hilton Metropole Birmingham, during the last weekend of May or first weekend of June (the first weekend after the Spring Bank Holiday). UK Games Expo aims to be the premier event in the UK where all aspects of the gaming hobby are represented. In 2016 the show had 170 booths manned by 225 exhibitors and co-exhibitors including publishers, retailers, independent designers and artists.
The show is host to a schedule of seminars by industry leaders, several hundred role-playing game sessions and many board and war game tournaments, including several national tournaments such as the UK Settlers of Catan Finals and the UK Carcassonne Championship. Other gaming-related entertainment in 2015 included a free late-night cinema and performances from John Robertson and James Cook. The 2016 major sponsors were Mayfair Games and Hawk Wargames with additional associate sponsorship from Mage Company, Fantasy Flight Games and Battlefield Hobbies.
Unlike most other large shows, UK Games Expo is notable for offering both large areas of free open gaming space[1] and a charity bring and buy. In 2015 over £4000 was taken in commission on sales and was donated to two charities chosen by the two major cosplay groups that attend the show.[2]
Plans for further expansion of the show were announced during the awards ceremony in 2015. The Trade Halls are to relocate into Hall 1 NEC, whilst all the tournaments and roleplaying session and the evening Open Gaming Rooms will stay at the current home at the NEC Hilton Metropole a 5-minute walk away. [3]
History
The first UK Games Expo was held at the Clarendon Suites in Birmingham in 2007. The show took place at this venue six times before relocating to the Hilton NEC Metropole in 2013. Continued growth in attendance has meant that from 2016 UK Games Expo will be expanding to include a Trade Hall in the NEC as well as maintaining activities in the Hilton.
The show has been sponsored principally by Mayfair Games since 2012, with a variety of associate sponsors.
In 2016 the UK Games Expo is co-sponsored by Mayfair Games and Hawk Wargames with Fantasy Flight Games, Mage Company and Battlefield Hobbies as Associate Sponsors and Coiledspring Games sponsors of the "Fuel Their Imagination Family Zone."
In 2008 the UK Games Expo was the venue for the official launch of Dungeons & Dragons 4th Edition in the UK.
Notable guests of the show in recent years have included Colin Baker, Steve Jackson, Ian Livingstone, Chris Barrie and Monte Cook
Attendance
Attendance figures released by the organizers are published each year in their exhibitor pack. 2015 Exhibitor pack: http://www.ukgamesexpo.co.uk/UKGEexhibitorpack2015.pdf
| Year | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 |
| Uniques | 900 | 1200 | 1800 | 2000 | 2455 | 2879 | 3538 | 5805 | 7162 | 12636 |
| Attendance | 1200 | 2000 | 2500 | 2800 | 3585 | 4046 | 5734 | 9919 | 13971 | 25149 |
2016 unique attendance makes UK Games Expo the largest show of its kind in the UK, second in Europe and fourth in the world following Spiel, Gen Con and Origins Game Fair.
References
External links
- www.ukgamesexpo.co.uk. Expo Official Website.
- www.facebook.com/pages/UK-Games-Expo/119962004777238. UK Games Expo Facebook Page.