Hello, friends of Gen Con!
September is fast approaching, and I know I speak for everyone on the Gen Con team when I say that excitement is truly building. Yes, we’re going to be a little smaller this year (remember 2016?), but we have a fantastic slate of events and exhibitors new and old, plus some exciting surprises, that will combine to make this a Gen Con like no other!
Like many of you, we’re also monitoring the data on the spread of the Delta variant of COVID-19. We’re following the guidance of the CDC, and continuing to work with local Indy officials including the Marion County Public Health Department. To further enhance the health and safety of everyone at Gen Con it’s time to make some changes to our previously announced plan. In sum: It’s time to mask up.
Mask wearing will be required in all indoor and crowded outdoor Gen Con spaces. You must be wearing a mask that covers the nose and mouth while attending Gen Con Indy unless you are actively eating or drinking. Accordingly, we are dropping the option to show proof of vaccination to forgo wearing a mask at Gen Con.
Speaking of vaccination, we anticipate that everyone 12 and older at Gen Con will be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, and over 90% of you have indicated in survey responses that you already are. Our staff is 100% vaccinated and we’re firm believers in the value and importance of vaccination. If you are one of the few folks in our community who can get vaccinated but haven’t yet — it’s not too late! Make an appointment now so you can join us in September with the full protection these great vaccines provide.
Many of you have also asked about making vaccinations mandatory for Gen Con attendees. While we’re not announcing such a policy here yet, we are working with local health officials and may do so at any time prior to the convention. You may have seen other conventions moving forward with proof of vaccination policies; many of these are based on state or local mandates, which provide legal grounds for requiring vaccinations. While we fully support vaccination requirements, we must do so with the backing of our legal and health safety partners in order to move forward.
To be clear: as we continue to speak with our legal and health partners we may make vaccinations mandatory for attendance and we’ll alert you if that occurs. Again, this is another great reason to get vaccinated NOW. The Gen Con community is counting on you to do your part and we would hate to turn anyone away.
So, to reiterate:
- Mask wearing at Gen Con will be required at all times while indoors or in crowded outdoor areas for all Gen Con attendees, exhibitors, event organizers, and staff.
- If you have a documented medical reason that prevents you from wearing a mask you may present documentation at the Special Services kiosk and we will make necessary accommodations (face shield, etc., as appropriate).
These new measures support our existing health and safety enhancements:
- Reduced capacity to approximately 60% of normal size
- Increased spacing for all gaming tables in event areas
- Nightly closure of the convention center from midnight to 7 am for cleaning and sanitizing
- New hospital-grade air filtration systems at the convention center
- Contactless doors, faucets, and restrooms at the convention center
- Increased hand sanitizing stations
- More outdoor activations
Conditions are changing on an almost daily basis and we’re doing our best to adapt and ensure that we can all enjoy Gen Con safely. Stay tuned to our emails and social channels to get the latest updates and we’ll share more details as we get closer to showtime. Thank you for your support and see you in a few short weeks!
