Sponsorship and Marketing Opportunities for Gamehole Con 2022 (Oct 20-23)

2021 was a year like no other. After getting spooled up to run our show in the fall of 2020, we had to cancel due to the Covid-19 pandemic like most other large events. Then, after a full year off we had to relearn how to prepare for and run a show of this size. We are very aware that you all were trying to run businesses through all of that and aware of some of the logistical and organizational challenges we faced.

Quite frankly, we were delighted to have a show in 2021 at all. Many conventions did not even attempt a 2021 event and given the significantly decreased attendance of those that tried, we were pleased to have been down only 20% from our 2019 numbers. We did very well in terms of attendance compared to just about any tabletop convention held in 2021.

What that all means is that we survived the financial challenges that a pause in business like we just endured inflicts. So, we are delighted to announce that we will be back for Gamehole Con 2022! It will once again be held at the Alliant Energy Center Exhibition Hall in Madison, WI. Our dates will be October 20-23.

We are also delighted to announce that all our major partners, such as True Dungeon, will be returning for our 9th show. 

Historically, our show has grown in attendance each year. Accordingly, we have expanded the size of our vendor space to match that growth. Because we did not grow in 2021 for the reasons mentioned above, we will keep our overall number of Dealer Hall and Demo Row spaces the same for 2022. It is extremely important to us that all our vendor partners do well at our show.

Further, we have decided to relocate the Dealer Hall for 2022. For 2021, the Dealer Hall was in Hall C, the hall furthest to the south of the exhibition halls. We are bringing the Dealer Hall back to Hall A in 2022, putting it right at the center of the show. We think this will help underscore the central importance of our Dealer Hall and our vendor partners who participate therein. 

Further, for 2022, we have upgraded and improved our vendor application process. For those who request a corner booth, you must explain how you plan to use that space for your booth setup. 

Despite our challenges last year, the exhibitor hall sold out quickly in 2021, and spaces will go even faster this year. Many past exhibitors have asked to come back, and we have had many more exhibitors ask to take part in Gamehole Con 2022. 

We invite you to join us for Gamehole 2022 and take advantage of Gamehole Con’s success. The following guide contains some of the different ways you can get involved in Gamehole Con 2022. If you would like to participate in another way, just let us know!

We will start taking Exhibitor Applications on December 20th. To apply, go to: 

https://www.gameholecon.com/exhibitor and fill out the application. These applications are necessary for all vending spaces, including both Dealer Hall and Demo Row spots, and for artists, authors, and podcasters interested in space at the convention. If you have any questions, please contact us directly at marketing@GameholeCon.com.

Official Lanyard Sponsor of Gamehole Con 2022 ($5,000)

We expect at least 5,000 badge-wearing people at Gamehole Con 2022. If you sponsor this, we will produce a high-quality 5/8th” lanyard complete with a bulldog clip from which every person at the show will hang their badge. You can choose the lanyard color and add a repeating logo including up to two colors. This is a fantastic opportunity to get your company’s logo in front of literally every attendee, exhibitor, and Guest.

Official Sponsor of Gamehole Con 2022 ($500)

As an official sponsor of Gamehole Con you get:

• Your logo listed on our site as a link to your website. Our homepage on desktop and mobile browsers will prominently feature your logo on a rotating basis with our other sponsors.
• Your logo and web address listed in our physical and digital program.
• Your logo as a link to your website will appear in each email blast that we send out. There is at least one such blast to our approximately 7,000+ recipients each month. As we get closer to our Con and have deadlines and other matters to announce, those blasts become more frequent.
• A stand-alone “thank you” post on our Facebook page (~4,000 followers) and via our Twitter account (~3,000) acknowledging your sponsorship and support and telling everyone what makes your business great.

Lead Sponsor of Gamehole Con 2022 ($2,000) SOLD

As the lead sponsor of Gamehole Con you get:

• Everything included with being an Official Sponsor above
• You will be recognized as our Lead Sponsor in every one of our email blasts.
• A full-page ad in our program.
• Signage in the lobby of the Alliant Energy Center provided by you. We will work with you on the options for such signage.

Laughing Otyugh Inn Sponsor ($3,000)

This area is immediately adjoining our D&D Adventurers League Hall. It is outfitted with comfy chairs, drinks, and other amenities. The thousands of attendees that play in our D&D AL Hall, one country’s largest, will all see it. Our special/charity D&D AL games will be run in this space as well. It can be adorned with some signage and/or branded table coverings provided by you.

Official Reception Sponsor Gamehole Con 2022

We have several exciting party/reception sponsorship opportunities for Gamehole Con 2022.

Kick Off Party Sponsor ($2,000) SOLD

Our kickoff party will be held in a ballroom at the Madison Sheraton hotel on the eve of Gamehole Con, Wednesday, October 19th. Included will be the space itself, a cash bar, and we will provide a half barrel of Spotted Cow beer to be served to our attendees free of charge. Nothing brings people to a party like free beer! At the Kick Off Party, you will have complete control of the programming. Do you want to give a talk/presentation? Great. Do you want to give away product? Certainly. Do you want to run demos? No problem. Do you want to put on some sort of AV demonstration? Sure, we can accommodate that. We can customize that evening's events to suit your purposes and we will heavily promote your sponsorship of this event.

Thursday, Friday , and Saturday Nights Receptions Sponsor ($1,000 each) SOLD

On each of the listed evenings, Thursday, October 20th, Friday, October 21st and Saturday, October 22nd, we throw a reception at the Clarion Hotel. At each reception, like the Kick-Off Party above, we will provide a half barrel of Spotted Cow beer to be served free to all reception goers. In a more limited fashion than the Kick-Off Party, you can give a brief demonstration, give product away, or just be a charming host of the evening. We will promote each of these events indicating which sponsor is sponsoring each evening’s reception.

Exhibiting Space in the Exhibitor Hall ($500 or $750)

Our booth spaces include exhibitor tables with chairs along with pipe and drape. One 10’ x 10’ booth space for the entire weekend is only $500 ($750 for a corner booth). If you require an electrical drop or hardwired ethernet for your booth these can be purchased directly through the Alliant Energy Center website. You also receive four universal Gamehole Con weekend badges for your business to use for the entire weekend.

Demonstration Areas in Demo Row ($250)

Our demo row is very popular every year. As a result, we are going to expand this area. Each of these 15 tables can be purchased for the entire weekend for $250. These spaces are strictly limited to game designers demoing and selling their own games and supplements. No sales of third-party products are permitted - that is restricted to the Dealer Hall. Each space comes with a draped table and two chairs. You also receive two universal Gamehole Con weekend badges for your business for the entire weekend.  

Custom Lounge Area ($3,000) SOLD

On the second floor of the convention center, we set up a lounge with couches and comfortable chairs, coffee and end tables and a cash bar that opens each afternoon. This space can be sponsored by your company making this the [YOUR NAME HERE] Lounge. Last year, Monte Cook Games used this space to great effect. We will provide the furniture and configure the gaming/demo/vendor tables in any way that you like. Signage downstairs will direct people to your lounge. Finally, the sponsor of this lounge can place a banner of their creation on the balcony overlooking the show that virtually every Gamehole Con attendee will see.

Official Sponsor of the GM/Special Guest Lounge ($3,000) SOLD

We love our GMs. That’s why we offer a GM oasis at Gamehole Con each year. This is a private area for GMs and Special Guests to prepare, regroup, and relax. Your business can be the official sponsor of the GM’s Lounge. Your name would be affixed to the lounge, you can place your company’s materials, ads and products in the lounge, and you will receive special mention every time the GM Lounge is advertised.

Official Gamehole Con 2022 Program Ad Space

We produce a fantastic program every year. We offer it in both electronic and print form. We include a fabulous custom map, bios of all the special guests, and tons of other useful information for our attendees. Our program artwork is second to none. We release a digital copy of the program in the weeks before the show increasing your ad’s exposure that much more.

Program ad prices for 2022:

Hotel Key Card Sponsorship ($1,000-$1,500)

There are hundreds of hotel rooms in the hotels surrounding the Alliant Energy Center - The Clarion Suites ($1,500), The Sheraton Madison ($1,000), and The Holiday Inn Express & Suites Central ($1,000). Sponsors at this level can customize the art on every hotel room key issued in our room blocks over the week of Gamehole Con at one or more of these hotels. What an amazing marketing opportunity! Every attendee, vendor, or Guest staying at the hotel(s) you sponsor will see your custom art/message on their room card all weekend long.

Lobby Signage ($200-$400)

Have a cool display or sign you want everyone to see? Contact us about specific pricing and locations in our main lobby area!

Hanging Dealer Hall Banner ($300 - Space is limited)

We can hang your two-sided banner directly above your booth to help your potential customers find you in the dealer hall. These must be simple two-sided banners without an internal framework.

Hanging Dealer Hall Sign ($500 – Limit of 3 signs)

If you attended Gamehole Con 2021, you could not miss our elevated hanging display in the Dealer Hall. We can hang your sign in the Dealer Hall, where every attendee will be able to see it. This is a powerful marketing opportunity. Don’t miss this chance to get in front of literally thousands of your potential customers.

Custom Window Clings ($175-$325 - Space is limited)

We can produce custom window clings using your artwork for the windows on the second floor of the exhibition hall. These will be seen by attendees as they walk up to the convention and when attending events on the second floor including most of our Special Guest games, our seminars, our streaming games, and the popular custom lounge. There are two sizes of windows available, a nearly square option for $175 (37.5” x 43.5”) or a larger rectangular option for $325 (115.5” x 43.5”). 

Custom Door Clings ($500 Per 2 doors - 2 remaining)

We can provide custom door clings using your artwork to be placed on either our interior or exterior main entry doors. These are the primary doors used to enter and exit the exhibition hall so your ad will be seen multiple times per day by thousands of attendees.

Custom Floor Graphics

We have the ability to provide custom floor graphics for your company or business. These can be placed in any number of high-traffic locations throughout the exhibition hall. If you are interested, contact us about prices and possible locations.

Custom Stair Graphics ($1,000-$3,000)

We have the ability to provide custom graphics for the stairway that accesses our dedicated streaming room, Special Guest gaming rooms, seminar rooms, custom lounge, and many other games. These stairs are also visible as attendees walk through our main lobby meaning that virtually every attendee will be seeing your ad multiple times per day.

Anything Else?

Don’t see a promotional item that you want? We are open to new ideas and happy to work with you to create custom solutions that will convey your company’s message in a unique way.