Games Con Canada: Canada’s Only International Video Game Convention Finds New Home in Edmonton

Canada’s biggest gaming convention is making Edmonton its home for the next three years.

Games Con Canada, the country’s only internationally recognized video game convention, has signed a deal to host its annual three-day event in Edmonton, the Capital City of Alberta, until 2026.

The event celebrating video games, esports, and gaming culture will take place at the Edmonton Expo Centre from June 14-16, 2024.

Why Edmonton?

According to Marc Belisle, co-founder of Games Con Canada, Edmonton won the bid over two other cities due to its strong enthusiasm for the event.

Local businesses like Telus, Memory Express, Explore Edmonton, and Digital Alberta actively pursued bringing the convention to the city.

“We selected Edmonton because it showed the greatest desire for our event. The passion showed was beyond any other city,” Belisle stated.

What Can You Expect at Games Con Canada?

Here’s a sneak peek at what you can expect:

• Esports tournaments
• Tabletop gaming events
• Cosplay contests
• Reveals of new video games
• Vendor booths and exhibitors
• Celebrity panels and developer interactions

Economic Impact

After a successful inaugural event in Calgary in 2023 that drew over 35,000 attendees, organizers expect this year’s Games Con in Edmonton to attract more than 40,000 visitors.

A recent economic impact report estimates the convention will generate between $15-18 million in revenue for the city.

Partnerships and Local Support

To stage the massive event, Games Con Canada has partnered with major industry players like Razer, MSI, Intel, Telus, and Memory Express. Local organizations such as Explore Edmonton and Digital Alberta have also lent support.

Additionally, the Edmonton Screen Industries Office is sponsoring 10 booths for local independent game developers, providing a platform for smaller studios to showcase their games.

“We noticed last year that (indie studios) have different levels of marketing budget…That’s why I’m proud to announce that the Edmonton Screen Industries Office is sponsoring 10 booths for local independent developers,” said Belisle.

Road Ahead

A key goal for Games Con is nurturing Alberta’s burgeoning game development ecosystem.

Belisle emphasized the importance of face-to-face interactions in building fan bases, adding,

“If you want true loyal fans to actually follow your brand and support you, you win one person over.”

With its new multi-year home in Edmonton, Games Con Canada aims to become a launchpad for local developers while delivering an unparalleled gaming experience.

Reference: Edmonton Journal