I’ve been attending Gen Con for three years, so I wanted to try some new things and make a positive impact. Let’s recap five things I did for the first time at Gen Con 2025.
The first and most impactful thing I did was host a panel entitled “Creating Welcoming Spaces” with a colorful cast of characters I had befriended from TikTok. We collectively wanted to create a welcoming space while providing people with tips and methods to develop a game-filled environment. There were several people in the audience who plan to open their own board game stores in the near future. The best part was that it turned into an open discussion with the audience and panel.
The second was sharing an Airbnb. This isn’t the first time I have planned to share an Airbnb, but it is the first time it has happened. The first time my roommate ditched me to film a game show in Ireland, true story! From a solo Airbnb to a connected hotel and then to a shared Airbnb. While the commute was not great, it did lead to a stronger friendship with my 3-day roommate and a most interesting 2 am breakfast dinner at Denny’s. The best part was I was able to do some laundry; the worst part had to be the commute, but it was an adventure, and I’m always down for an adventure.
The third was getting invited to the parties. Gen Con is full of parties, ranging from those hosted by publishers to those attended by retailers and even special interest groups. It’s an annual celebration to meet new people and reconnect with those you have not seen since the last Gen Con. I have been a plus-one to a few parties in the past, but this year… I got invites and had some plus-ones of my own. It felt like I was getting picked to play basketball or soccer back in grade school. It warmed my soul to be considered and invited to these celebrations.
The fourth was the funnest and funniest thing. I played the role of an investigative journalist while doing the Gen Con TikTok Takeover. Everyone got a kick out of me in my delightful disguise, from the wig to the glasses. I walked around and gathered footage and blurbs from convention attendees with one focal question: “Are Gen Con attendees having too much fun!?” It was hilarious. I made people laugh and had a fantastic time doing it. Never forget, the gray-haired game detective, Gamey McGamerson.
And finally, the fifth and most necessary thing I did this time was sleeping in. It was only for one day, but it made all the difference. Thursday and Friday ended around 4 am, and I’m not one to sleep in, but my body had a different plan. I woke up and stretched, took my time getting ready, and even had time to eat some breakfast. When I finally made it back to the convention, 2 hours later than my usual arrival time, I felt like a new man.
Thank you to all the wonderful people who make Gen Con a special “can’t miss” event.
For more Zazu, check him out on TikTok and Instagram.
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