PRGE Announces 2012 Expo Dates, New Venue

posted by RecycledGamer on 4-25-2012

The 2012 Portland Retro Gaming Expo with be held at the Oregon Convention Center on September 29-30, 2012.

As we move into our 7th year, the Portland Retro Gaming Expo is planning our largest event ever. We have selected the weekend of September 29-30, 2012 for the Expo. After listening to our attendees, we have designed an event with something for everyone.

Massive new venue

The new home for PRGE in 2012 is the Oregon Convention Center. We will have the entire 60,000 square foot Exhibit Hall C packed with vendors and games plus separate meeting rooms for our speakers, panels and tournaments. The Oregon Convention Center is conveniently located right on the MAX light rail line and is close to several hotels. The entire venue is comfortably climate controlled and includes several on-site options for food, ATMs and plenty of places to sit and relax.

From the Oregon Convention Center web site:

The Oregon Convention Center is the largest convention center in the Pacific Northwest, making it an ideal venue for events of any size - from conventions and industry tradeshows to meetings, auctions and private receptions.

Introducing Mega-Cade

We have earmarked 20,000 square feet of floorspace for a huge arcade of full-size video game and pinball machines we are calling Mega-Cade. We are partnering with Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade who are mobilizing the arcade and pinball collector communities to bring together this unprecedented aggregation of retro gaming awesomeness. And put your quarters away because all games will be set to freeplay (after paid admission). To give an idea of scale, 20,000 square feet is larger than our entire show in 2011.

Expanded Exhibitor Area

Our attendee surveys always rate the vendor/exhibitor marketplace as the single most popular part of the Expo. We were forced to turn away potential exhibitors last year due to lack of space. Fortunately, our growth into the Oregon Convention Center will allow us to accept many more exhibitors than in past years and to offer more flexibility in booth sizes to vendors. Are you are interested in exhibiting at PRGE? Please visit the exhibitor page for information and rates. Once we sell out of exhibitor spots we will close exhibitor registration.

More Speakers and Panels

For 2012, PRGE will feature two separate speaking auditoriums allowing us to support a larger number of speakers and panels. The auditoriums are physically separated from the main show hall to alleviate noise intrusion from the main show floor into the speaking events. Check back soon for a list of speakers.

After Hours Party

For the first time ever, PRGE and Ground Kontrol will host an after hours event in the main show hall from 9:00 PM to midnight on Saturday. All paid attendees are welcome to attend (ages 21+) and there will be a cash bar as well as access to all of the freeplay arcade and console machines at the Expo.

Returning for 2012

Many of the same great Expo features will return for 2012 including the Live Auction, classic video game tournaments (sponsored by Best Bout Gaming), cosplay contest and our raffle.

Reserve Your Badge Now

Attendees can purchase admission to PRGE 2012 immediately on our web site. Purchasing admission online before the show has two benefits:

• How would you like to get into the vendor marketplace an hour early? Attendees who pre-purchase admission online are entitled to enter the event 1 hour before people who buy passes at the door.
• Buying admission online guarantees your attendance at the Expo in event of a capacity crowd on the weekend of the Expo.

3rd Annual Cowlitz Gamers for Kids Expo - April 28th

updated by RecycledGamer on 4-23-2012

John Hancock models the 2012 Cowlitz Gamer's for Kids t-shirt. T-shirts provided courtesy of NintendoAge.com.

The Portland Retro Gaming Expo is proud to sponsor the 3rd Annual Cowlitz Gamers for Kids Classic Video Game Show on April 28th in Kelso, WA. Last year we helped John raise over $2,700 for the Childrens Justice and Advocacy Center (CJAC) and we're convinced we can do better this year with your help!

Once again PRGE is absorbing most of the cost of putting on this show so that 100% of the admission will go directly to CJAC. It is CJAC's mission to provide children who have experienced sexual or physical abuse a coordinated community approach to investigation, prosecution and treatment that promotes their safety, healing, and well-being.

Huge New Venue!

In 2012 the Cowlitz Gamers for Kids Expo will be held in the former Emporium location inside the Three Rivers Mall in Kelso, WA! There will be over 20,000 square feet of gaming goodness.

Freeplay Arcade

Enjoy hundreds of freeplay classic console and arcade video games included with your admission donation.

Charity Silent Auction

Several sponsors have donated classic gaming systems and other goodies for the silent auction. All attendees can participate. The auction runs from 10:00 AM when the doors open until 1:00 PM. Simply write your name next to the bid you want to make on the bid sheet. Highest bid at 1:00 gets to purchase the item. All proceeds from the auction go directly to CJAC.

Lodging

Need to stay the night for the show? The Kelso Comfort Inn Suites is just 100 yards from the event venue and has made available a limited number of rooms at a special rate.

• Single - $79
• Double - $79
• Mini Suite - $85
• Double Suite - $115

Mention that you are in town for Cowlitz Gamers for Kids 2012 to get the discount. Quantities are limited to book your room as soon as you can! The Kelso Comfort Inn is located at 440 Three Rivers Dr., Kelso, WA, US, 98626 and can be reached by phone at (360) 425-4600.

Learn more...

Dates Announced for Seattle Retro Gaming Expo

updated by RecycledGamer on 4-3-2012

The Seattle Retro Gaming Expo has annouced dates for their 2012 event: June 16-17, 2012. The event has also moved to a larger venue - the Bellevue Red Lion Hotel.

Special Hotel Room Rates!

The Bellevue Red Lion has made available a block of hotel rooms to attendees of the Seattle Retro Gaming Expo at special rate of $89 per night for 1-2 people or $92 for 3-4 people. This is a substantial discount off of the regular advertised rates, but a limited number of rooms are available at this rate so act now! Special rates are available only until June 8, 2012 or when they sell out, whichever comes first.

To register for a room at the special SRGE rates, go here.

Learn more...

Join Our Mailing List for the latest Expo News

by RecycledGamer on 1-13-2011

Get the latest classic video gaming news by joining our email mailing list. We send out information on our show as well as other events in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. We generally send emails every month or so and more frequently as we get closer to the Portland Retro Gaming Expo in September.

Signing up is easy - just visit enter your email address in the form below. We will never share your address and you can unsubscribe at any time.

To join the PRGE mailing list, enter your email address below and click the "Go" button.

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