UK Games Expo 2019 is around the corner now. In just over three weeks, 40,000 or so visitors and over 350 exhibitors will descend on the Birmingham NEC to explore the over 24,000 sqm’s worth of exhibition halls, plus the dozen or so of rooms in the nearby NEC Hilton Hotel and probably other venues. From Friday, 31 May to Sunday, 2 June, the family friendly exhibition celebrates all things tabletop games and offers virtually everyone something of interest. I will be there on the Sunday and can’t wait to see what’s on offer.
I have written about the exhibition before (see UK Games Expo and UK Games Expo 2018), how much I enjoyed it and how it made up my mind about working more in this amazing community of tabletop games. So, of course, I’m really looking forward to this year’s event. There are a number of things I need to tick off my list, most of which are to do with saying hello to my Patreon supporters and seeing if there is anything I can do to help them in their ventures. There is also a large chunk of meeting exhibitors, speaking to them about their latest projects, getting news games demoed and generally finding out what is happening in the industry, as well as trying to form relationships with tabletop games companies. Of course, some of my time will also be spent to simply say hello to people who so far I only know from Twitter or YouTube, but who I feel have become more like friends. I am sure there will be many moments of being star struck if I bump into fellow bloggers, reviewers and other press, but I will try not to make a fool of myself too much.
Other than getting demos of new games, I also look forward to playtesting a game or two in the Playtest UK zone in hall 1, which I really enjoyed last year. It’s a great opportunity to help up and coming game designers refine their game, as well as see the great talent and imagination that is out there waiting to be discovered. Speaking of playing games, I will, of course, have Mint Tin Mini Skulduggery with me, and probably also Mint Tin Mini Apocalypse, both by subQuark, so if you see me, please do say hello and if there is time and space, we could have a quick game.
I also plan to buy a game or two and have a short list of other bits I want to get. After all, there are so many suppliers attending the exhibition that it would be a shame to not take advantage of what’s on offer. I am sure there will also be other things that I will spot as I make my way around the exhibition stands, which will require a closer look.
So, yes, I’m really looking forward to UK Games Expo 2019. As I say, if you see me, please do say hello. I’ll be wearing a Tabletop Games Blog hoodie, with the brown circular logo on the front and some energetic stars on the back, so I’m sure you’ll spot me.
If you want to catch up with me, drop me an email via the blog’s contact form. I’m looking forward to seeing you there.
Useful Links
- UK Games Expo website: https://www.
ukgamesexpo. co. uk/ - UK Games Expo volunteering opportunities: https://www.
ukgamesexpo. co. uk/ volunteers. php - UK Games Expo tickets: https://www.
ukgamesexpo. co. uk/ bookevents. php? cat= tic - NEC Birmingham: http://www.
thenec. co. uk/ - NEC Hilton Hotel: https://www3.
hilton. com/ en/ hotels/ united-kingdom/ hilton-birmingham-metropole-BHXMETW/