Midwest GameFest 2015
ShaunCon, Borderwars, and the Gamer's Haven Game Library come together in four incredible days of tabletop gaming November 12-15 at the Overland Park Convention Center in the Greater Kansas City Metropolitan Area!
We need to fund the entire operation in advance, and we've got some incredible backer rewards to make that happen. As a backer you get:
- early access to event sign-ups
- substantially lower prices than those who pay at the door
- access to all non-exclusive convention events
- eligible for special drawings leading up to and during the convention
- eligible for stretch goals and add-ons like commemorative dice, t-shirts, and more!
Backers who commit to host events or volunteer can select a reward level that reflects an even lower price, all the way to down to one dollar! We've got some great early-bird and premium packages, and if you like memorabilia you'll want to check out our dice, t-shirts, and more! Exhibitors can lock-in their booth space early and use add-ons to get more space! Supporters and Sponsors aren't left out either. Got a group? We have group pricing, too.
Check out the rewards and you'll find one that works for you or your organization! If there's a specific reward you don't see, but think a lot of folks would enjoy, let us know and we'll consider adding it!
Children are Free
Children 12 and under are free with paid parent or guardian. Note: All children 12 and under must be supervised but are not required to have a pass.
Multiples
For multiples, simplly add the additional pledge amounts for each additional item to your final pledge amount. So if you want two Member Full Event Passes, normally $35, pledge $70 and select the Member Full Event Pass reward. We'll ask you about these add-ons when we fund. =) See Add-Ons, below.
All Pickups Available At Will-Call
All fulfillment items (passes, dice, t-shirts, etc.) must be picked up at the will-call area at the convention's registration table.
Need multiples of a reward? Just pledge extra and select the reward you want. In addition to extra badges and exhibitor tables, we've got some great add-ons planned, including commemorative dice, t-shirts, bags, and more! Got a request? Let us know and we'll see what we can do!
Add-On InstructionsTo add an add-on to your pledge, follow these steps:
1) Press the 'Manage Your Pledge' Button above. If you have not pledged yet, it will say 'Back this Project'.
2) Increase your pledge in the 'Pledge Amount' box by the total of the add-ons you want to add.
3) After the end of the Kickstarter campaign you will receive a survey that will ask you questions so that you can explain how you would like the add-on money assigned.
$5,000 – Fai Chen's Fantastical Faire
Fai Chen’s Fantastical Faire is the D&D Adventures League trading post. It is a special event that can occur only at conventions hosting D&D Adventurers League adventures. At the Faire, AL players may trade permanent magic item certificates and may purchase consumable item certificates. Riding along on Fai Chen's mule-driven cart will be Jon Lamkin, the AL Regional Coordinator for the U.S. Plains region. Jon will be helping Fai Chen in his tasks and also running AL events.
With the Overland Park Convention Center, the Role-Players Guild of Kansas City has secured an outstanding event facility in a great location with easy access to the highway, tons of parking, incredible amenities, an amazing attached hotel, and lots of room for growth going forward. But as with many great venues, payment is due upfront. Most of the money has already been paid out of the Guild's coffers, but some remains. We need to wrap up the minimum amount of funding with our Kickstarter, and then replenish our funds through stretch goals, perks, and other special rewards. If we make back our investment, we'll continue hosting the event with the same high production values next year!
Midwest GameFest is an annual tabletop gaming convention that brings a number of long-standing Midwest gaming organizations under one roof: the Role-Players Guild of Kansas City (Shauncon), Heart of America Historical Miniatures Gaming Society (Borderwars), and Gamer's Haven Game Library (KantCon). There will be role-playing games, historical miniatures, board games, card games, organized play, workshops, game designers, dealers, benefit events, a used game sale and more! The Midwest GameFest is organized and funded by the Role-Players Guild of Kansas City.
Overland Park Convention Center
The Overland Park Convention Center is conveniently located in Overland Park, Kansas on College Boulevard between Woodson Street and Lamar Avenue. The facility address is 6000 College Boulevard Overland Park, KS, 66211 (map). Visit our Lodging and Travel page for complete details.
Sheraton Overland Park Hotel
There are lots of hotels in walking distance of the Overland Park Convention Center, but one of the best is actually attached – the Sheraton Overland Park Hotel! We've secured a special rate for convention attendees, but the room block will fill up fast, so don't delay. Visit our Lodging page for complete details and to reserve your room today!
Onsite Food
Overland Park has some of the region's best food options, many of which are only a short drive away. But for folks who want to stay inside the convention facility and maximize their game playing we are pleased to offer onsite food options right in the convention pre-function area! Pizza, hot dogs, nachos, wraps, sandwiches, yogurt, soda, and more will all be available from 8am to 7pm. Coffee will be available in the pre-function area until noon. In addition to this, the convention center's own cafe, The Cyber Cafe, will also be open during most of the event offering similar options.
Free High-Speed Wi-Fi
Both the main game hall and our pre-function area at the Overland Park Convention Center will feature complimentary high-speed wi-fi. Network conditions will vary with the number of active users on the network.
Guest Lounge
Special guests, VIGs, and volunteers can take a load off their feet at the Guest Lounge. Each morning these special folk can enjoy donuts with coffee and relax in a comfortable lounge chair while they get ready to start the day. Between events they can retreat here to take advantage of the water cooler, and enjoy a great place to bring lunch or dinner!
Events
We feature board games, card games, historical and other miniatures wargaming, and role-playing games of all sorts. You'll find one-off custom games, organized play events, and tournaments, in addition to panels and workshops. Visit our Events page for complete details.
Exhibitors
We host a range of gaming-related dealers and exhibitors from around the Midwest. You'll find both popular and hard-to-find games, gaming aids, art prints, hand-crafted goods, and gaming-themed clothing and accessories. Visit our Exhibitors page for complete details.
Volunteers
We offer great discounts for individuals and groups who can help out during the convention, and we have flexible volunteer hours to meet your schedule. You can even earn free admission just for helping out. Come out and be one of the crew! Visit our Volunteers page for complete details.
Sponsorships
Whether its a V.I.G. (Very Important Gamer) package, room naming rights, or advertising in our convention program or online and email channels, we offer sponsorshop packages suitable for any size group, company or individual. Visit our Sponsors page for complete details.
Backers who select reward levels featuring convention passes receive access to all non-exclusive convention events, and make them eligible for special drawings leading up to and during the convention. Backers who are not currently members of the Role-Players Guild of Kansas City also receive a 90-day Class II (non-voting) Guild membership.
GMs/Hosts/Volunteer Registration
Backers who select reward levels for GMs/hosts/volunteers are required to also submit the appropriate forms at the Midwest GameFest website's Events or Volunteers pages prior to November 1. Failure to meet this commitment prior to that date will result in forfeiture of the discount and the remaining balance will be collected at will-call.
Refunds
Unfortunately, we can't offer refunds. However, Kickstarter will not charge your credit card until the final moment when the project ends. So there is lots of time to make a final decision. Special circumstances may arise, and can be handled by contacting the event coordinator at concoordinator@midwestgamefest.org.
Risks and challenges
Once funded we'll have enough financial resources to complete payment on the venue. We have existing equipment, materials and signage left over from running events for twenty years in the Midwest, so once funded there are no obstacles to the event happening. Additionally, there are several experienced organizations and coordinators involved, so the loss of one or even several of these will not prevent the event from happening.
Physical reward fulfillment costs (t-shirts, bags, etc) have been built into our reward levels, and our organizers have many years of combined experience working with merchandise vendors both locally and nationally. So we know how to get these items made and delivered, and how much that costs. All items are held at will-call, and not shipped, unless special arrangements are made in advance.
The goal is to make the minimum for the event to happen. The secondary goal is to raise enough funds through stretch goals and special reward levels to make our investment back and replenish the Guild coffers so that we can continue hosting the event in a sustainable manner.
Learn about accountability on KickstarterQuestions about this project? Check out the FAQ
Support
Funding period
- (30 days)