Boardgame Players Association Newsletter — July 2007
July 16, 2007

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Mark HermanRichard BorgMark McLaughlinMike Fitzgerald

HOBBY LUMINARIES APLENTY: You can scarcely turn around at WBC without bumping into one of your favorite game designers. Mark Herman, Richard Borg, Mark McLaughlin, Mike Fitzgerald ... the list of such regular attendees is endless so adding a few more is nothing new. Even so, WBC is pleased to highlight the upcoming first WBC appearances of Nicky Palmer and John Kranz.

Grognards will recall Nicky as one of the very first authors to publish a book on what was then the commercial wargaming craze. We don't know whether it helped his political aspirations but it apparently didn't hurt as he retains a seat in Parliament. Many Americans would love a chance to vicariously bash their congressman over a gameboard, but ours aren't capable of gaming at WBC. So, we'll just have to take out our frustrations on the House of Commons instead.

John Kranz, the architect of Consimworld - which sponsors the Charles S. Roberts Awards, will appear for the first time to present those
Awards in person at his 9 PM Saturday seminar on the wargaming scene in general and online resources in particular.


WBC TEAM TOURNAMENT TIME:
40 teams have already entered the 17th running of the Team Tournament and Happy Handicapper Stuart Tucker is struggling to update the odds even as we speak as the entries pour in during this final week of registration for what will be the first handicapped version of the Team Tournament. Check out the competition at to see who has traded teams and who is on the disqualification bubble with just a week left to register. This year, a bonus point will be awarded to any player who scores team points in an event they previously have not won. Will this be the year Nest of Spies makes history with a first-ever three-pete or will your team pull an upset? Enter your four-person team with an email to doncon99@toad.net by July 21.

WBC AUCTION PRE-REGISTRATION CLOSES:
The 4th WBC games Auction has sold out of available Lots and is no longer accepting items for sale. Those with Lots to sell for $30 and under are encouraged to use the Auction Store instead. Those with items of genuine collectible value may appeal directly to the head auctioneer at BDRgames@aol.com for an exception. Check out the list of registered lots to see what treasures this year's Auction will yield.

WBC AUCTION STORE:
We've expanded last year's highly successful Auction Store for the sale of additional, lower-priced items during the WBC Auction. Located in the same showroom with the Auction, attendees will be able to peruse items with a set price within view and earshot of the ongoing auction. The Auction Store allows us to increase the number of items handled in less time while offering sellers a more efficient way to offer lower priced items at a reduced commission. Items in the Auction Store have a top price of $30 and cannot be pre-registered. Procrastinate too long to pre-register your items for the Auction? ... never fear, you can now sell via the Auction Store without a reservation. But come prepared with your Auction Store Item forms pre-completed.

BoD 2007 ELECTION ENDS:
Thanks to all who voted for the 2007 Board of Directors. The election is now over and the results will be announced at our Annual Meeting on Tuesday, July 31 at 3 PM in the Lancaster Showroom, Lancaster, PA.

Download the Yearbook & Program!WBC YEARBOOK AND PROGRAM:
Our Annual mailing took place on June 1. All members of record residing in the US (one per household) were mailed the convention program/yearbook at that time. PLEASE remember to bring it with you to WBC along with your games and badgeholder as we do NOT have enough to give out duplicates. Those joining after June 1 and other household members must pick up their copies at WBC. Download the full yearbook for a look at last year's write-ups or this year's schedule and event previews.

WBC PRE-REGISTRATION:  Download the Pre-Reg form and submit it via mail for the best prices. The Pre-Registration page also provides information on current registration status and requests for rides, roommates, carpooling, child care, spousal activities and Open Gaming opponents.

EVENT PREVIEWS:
Review the Previews for Events you wish to play. Event Previews contain more information than found in the Yearbook, including advancement criteria, details about format, special prizes, answers to rules questions, contact information for the GM, and links to related web sites.

WBC SOUVENIR T-SHIRTS:
Lost Battalion Games is again making the official WBC 2007 t-shirts featuring the art of Kurt Miller and your choice of game images. Using improved technology, the shirts will be available in an assortment of sizes and colors and made to order right there at the show. Team and club shirts are also available with your own motto. To avoid a wait and be assured of the color and size you want, order yours today to be pre-made and available for pickup at the show.

WBC 2007 POSTER:  
Help spread the word. Download the current WBC poster featuring the artwork of Kurt Miller and post it at your next club meeting or ask your local gamestore to post it.

TEENS: New this year is a special daily evening slot just for teens to combine socializing with peers and boardgame fun.

SEMINARS:
For the first time, WBC will take advantage of the fine lecture facilities at the Host to offer a full series of speaking
engagements
featuring many hobby luminaries and spousal support plans. Check out the schedule.

HMGS MINIATURES: In the "Year of Confluence" with Historicon the preceding weekend at the Host, we are pleased to present a taste of historical miniatures courtesy of HMGS President Pete Panzeri on Tuesday. Get the details about this Special Event.

WBC SCHEDULING AIDS:
Steve Okonski has once again worked his magic and presented a host of convenient programming tools to help you plan your WBC week: the Custom Scheduler, an All-in-One schedule, or several downloadable pdf pocket schedules. If you prefer, download the printed schedule.

Lancaster Host Resort is the host for 2005 WBC.HOST SELL OUT:
The Lancaster Host is currently sold out. While there may be isolated incidents of a request being filled on certain nights due to a cancellation, the majority of callers will meet with no success. We suggest you instead call The Continental Inn (717-299-0421) which is located across the street and request a room in the World Boardgaming Championships overflow block to get our rate. A second option is The Red Roof Inn (717-299-9700) located a half mile down the street. For a list of other local lodging, call 1-866-220-8985. There is a wide assortment of lodging alternatives nearby in all price ranges.

WBC BULLETIN:
As is our custom, we will send all WBC pre-registrants an e-mail shortly before the event with any late changes or related reminders. If you have registered for WBC and have NOT received a confirming email, you should e-mail doncon99@toad.net to confirm your email address and/or make the necessary alterations to your SPAM filters.

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PBeM NEWS

VICTORY IN THE PACIFIC: The next Victory in the Pacific PBeM tournament starts Sept. 15!

SWORD OF ROME: A new PBeM tournament for Sword of Rome will commence on Aug. 15 under the watchful eye of veteran "Gm of the Year"  John Coussis.

Anyone interested in running an e-mail tournament is invited to inquire. BPA members who would like to see an email tournament for their favorite game are encouraged to step forward as the GM of such an event. BPA does not run tournaments. Rather, we are an organization of gamers lending support to one another so such events can happen. No one cares as much about your hobby as you do. Get involved. See the requirements to host a BPA email tournament at http://www.abovethefields.com/top_pbem/pbemgm.htm.

All BPA PBeM tournaments require current BPA membership when the event starts. All multi-day paid attendees to WBC are current BPA members for the balance of that calendar year. Associate Calendar year memberships enabling play in all PBeM events starting in that year cost only $10 and earn discounts for admission to all BPA gaming conferences. You need not keep your membership current in order to finish a PBeM event. Players may join the BPA throughout the year. Members are reminded they can upgrade their current memberships at any time by remitting the additional funds. See http://www.boardgamers.org/bpaterms.htm for details.

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Don Greenwood
WBC Convention Directo
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Boardgame Players Association Last updated 7/18/07 by kae.
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