The Games and Gaming Round Table (GameRT) would like to extend an invitation to games publishers to participate in the American Library Association’s Annual Conference, from June 22-27, 2023, at McCormick Place Chicago in Chicago, IL. This conference is the largest professional conference in America for librarians, drawing in approximately 20,000 librarians from across the United States.
Libraries across the country are champions of gaming; hosting gaming events, supporting local game designers, and circulating gaming materials. Librarians are an active and passionate group who see the value that games and play bring to their communities. We continually strive to build bridges between our profession, the community, and the gaming industry.
There are several opportunities to participate in ALA’s Annual Conference:
- GameRT has worked to create the GAMING GROVE, a low cost entry point to participate and have a presence at ALA’s conference. With a cost of $500, you will have a presence on the exhibit floor, time to run game demos in the gaming lounge, and preferred placement at ALAPlay (GameRT’s Friday night gaming event). We are now accepting applications for the Gaming Grove. If you are interested you can find more details about the Gaming Grove on the 2023 conference website, which also includes a link to the 2023 Gaming Grove application.
- Game Publishers are also welcome to exhibit on the main floor outside of (but near) the GAMING GROVE. A booth on the main floor will give you more space. When you apply, simply indicate that you would like your booth to be located in the GRAPHIC NOVELS AND GAMING PAVILION and you will be near other games publishers (and graphic novel publishers), as well as the Graphic Novels & Gaming Stage.
- Demo games at ALA PLAY, on Friday, June 23th from 7:30-10PM at the Conference (specific location TBD, this event is held at one of the conference hotels). This is our annual gaming event open to attendees of the conference. We feature publisher demos, open gaming, learn to play sessions, an unpub with local designers, and more. There is no additional cost to participate in ALAPlay, though if you are not exhibiting in the Gaming Grove or the main conference exhibition floor, sales and marketing materials are not allowed. Publishers with a booth on in the Gaming Grove or main floor will automatically have space reserved for them at ALA Play. Table space is limited and exhibit floor publishers have priority. Email gamert@ala.org to apply.
- Game DONATIONS are always welcome to be used for open gaming in the Gaming Grove lounge and as giveaways at ALA Play. Email gamert@ala.org to inquire.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to: gamert@ala.org.