I read what the VIG Program entailed and tried to sign up, I got a VIG Badge.  I've come with several people before and invited someone out to Gen Con to just play games with me for four days (On a schedule) all they had to do was buy a plane ticket and their own food out and about, I've even gone solo (Last year) and had fun at Gen Con every year.  It's part of the experience for me now, not the primary thing going on or what my Gen Con schedule is based around but I like what I get for what I'm paying so I'm happy.

Could they do more?  Yes.  Could they do less and most people will still be happy?  Probably.  So whether you'd chucking dice that you think will melt since you rolled your fifth 20 in a row, you're playing war games, larping, plaing a board game, card game, have people at an event look at you funny since you're just standing there taking pictures, (I have no idea what you people are doing but it looks cool explains a lot) or you lost the bet with your friends and are learning to belly dance... I think you're going to have fun (in theory at least) at Gen Con.  The VIG program is kind of like chocolate shavings on my Gen Con Sunday.

So far the feedback here does not support the limitation of 1 compainion badge in 2017. I think a phase approach, drop it down to two badges to see if it sells out in 2017 before those that could not get 1 badge.

Question: Are the badges that are not sold for companion in 2017 be open to first come first serve when the regular badges come up for sale? Are those badges limited to a total of 3? Or can you get as many as you want?

Honestly, much of the value of a VIG package is due to the companion badges.  Sharing the benefit of the VIG room and the early access to the Dealer Room is a large part of the value, for me.  With only one companion, I can't bring both my wife and daughter along, which means this will be my last year as a VIG.

If GenCon reduces the number of companion badges that can be bought, demand will go down.  Which isn't a problem for them, because demand far outstrips supply right now.  However, given the price increases and massive reduction in companion badges, I can see GenCon not being able to sell all of their VIG packages in 2018.

I am one of those VIG people who always buys 3 companion badges.  I go with my gaming group and we have two VIGs who allow access for the rest of the group to become companions.  The benefit for us is that we can all get into the same hotel, have a meeting place with drinks and get into the dealer hall earlier. 

Though I appreciate the companies who contribute to the swag bag, a number of the items are either given to other VIG members or taken back to my FLGS to share the love.  The swag is an important part but there has always been only a few items that really stand out for me.  There are excellent card products but I'm not a CCG player.  I love miniatures and miniature games.  Regardless, I appreciate the effort.  It's too bad that we can't stream what people's general preferences were to make it easier (and more lucrative) for companies to contribute swag that is going towards their target audience.

As for the price increase, this is a little rough considering that there doesn't seem to be much justification for the increase.  Being Canadian, it will cost me about $770 due to the exchange rate.  My companions will pay about $238.  That doesn't include the increase for hotels and other items due to the exchange rate.  Though everyone likes GenCon, my group is starting to look at other conventions for our big trip which seem to have more "bang for the buck".  I hope it doesn't happen but GenCon may be one of those events that is once every couple of years.  If that is the case, I doubt I will be able to keep my VIG status - especially if only 1 of my friends can become a companion.

Thank you, Mike. 

Mike Boozer - are you going to send a confirmation email for those that added their names to become a VIG? My friends said they sent in their names and emails but no response, i.e. confirmation.

Thanks!
Ed

A weird thought... In re-reading that original VIG email from the blast in December, when it talks about the hotel (for THIS year, not 2017), it phrases it as if we only get one room, singular, not the two we've been allowed to reserve from the VIG block in the past. 

Do we get 1 room guaranteed, or 2?

Can I get an official answer on this? 

L-

I only contact people to request the correct information. If you have sent that in then you're in the drawing!

Mike Boozer
Customer Service & Volunteer Manager
Gen Con LLC
 

Mike Boozer
Customer Service & Volunteer Manager
Gen Con LLC
 

"VIG Companion badges will go on-sale starting on January 22 with normal Badge Pre-Registration. You may purchase up to three VIG Companion badges on a first-come-first-served basis, while supplies last. PLEASE NOTE: This will be the final year that Gen Con will allow three companions. In future years, VIGs only may bring one companion per VIG badge. "
 

This year that's how it works in prior years you could buy the companion badges durning the open VIG renewal period.  Also in prior years you could "reup" as a VIG anytime after the renewal period open up to the day before badge registration opened.  The 4 day renewal along with only being able to buy companion badges after general badge registration opens are both new this year

I tried sending an email to [email protected] and got an undeliverable error message back.  Thoughts?  *Edit- I just checked and it said "Delivery Status Notification (Failure)."

DOH!  See kids?  Proofreading is an important skill to learn.

Try gencon.com?

I believe last year we were only getting our VIG badges prior to the general registration date.  The companion badges were opened up at the same time as regular registration.  The only things different this year are that the window to renew is smaller and that we are doing our hotel at the same time.
 

I do have a question with the new website.  I understand that we will be able to renew and get our hotel bookings at noon eastern time. 

What page will the renewal portal show up on?  I got my VIG renewal e-mail but it doesn't have this information on it.

Thanks for the help :)
 

The get a badge button is on the left side of the screen.  Not the right side pull down like the web page instructions say.  Other than that I had no problem