SaltCON explained

SaltCON
Status:Current
Genre:Boardgames/Roleplaying Games/Convention
Venue:Davis Conference Center
Location:Layton, Utah/Bryce Canyon, Utah
Country:United States
First:2009
Last:Current
Organizer:SaltCON UT LLC
Attendance:2500
Website:http://saltcon.com/

SaltCON is the largest[1] Board Game Convention[2] and RPG Convention in Utah held annually in Layton[3] at the Davis Conference Center with the "aim of bringing people together with games."[4] The event is family friendly,[5] and focuses on hobby[6] and designer[7] board games.[8] Unlike many other conventions, the board game halls are open 24 hours[9] for attendees to play all night long. The event continues to grow in popularity,[10] in large part due to its friendly atmosphere, and volunteer nature.[11] The event had over 1100 attendees in 2016, and continues to grow every year.[12] In 2019 they had over 1900 attendees, and in 2024 they surpassed 2500.

Events

SaltCON hosts the Ion Award[13] game design competition, the largest board game design competition in the United States. Each year Publishers are asked to judge the competition, based on specific criteria. Notes are collected from judges, tallied, and winners are announced in each category. Games that win the Ion Award are published by game companies every year.[14] Notable winners and finalists include Nika,[15] Gnome Hollow, Moon Bunny, Steam Up: A Feast of Dim Sum, and Super Truffle Pigs!

Along with the Ion Award competition there are other draws for game designers as well. There are events where game designers can show off their games that are still in development, such as a "Prototype Alley" where attendees are invited to meet the designers and try out these new games.[16]

The events are not only for game designers. Attendees can find many other events to enjoy at the convention:

The event has also featured charities, such as the Extra Life[25] organization.

Occasionally there are a few video games[26] featured at the event.

History

The convention began in 2009, as a follow up to the Gathering of Strangers[27] board game days that were held at the University of Utah. The first few years were held also at the U of U campus Officer's Club,[28] but as attendance grew, they moved to the Royal Garden Inn,[29] then to the Sheraton,[30] and finally to the Davis Conference Center, where it has been held since 2014.[31]

YearDatesLocationEvent
2009July 10–11University of Utah Officers Club[32] Main Event
2010February 26–28University of Utah Officers Club[33] Main Event
2011February 18–19University of Utah Officers Club[34] Main Event
2012February 17–18Royal Garden InnMain Event
2013February 15–17SheratonMain Event
2014March 28–30Davis Conference CenterMain Event
2015March 12–14Davis Conference Center[35] Main Event
2016March 3–5Davis Conference Center[36] Main Event
2017March 2–5Davis Conference CenterMain Event
2018March 1–4Davis Conference CenterSpring
2018August 31 - September 1Davis Conference CenterEnd of Summer
2019February 28 - March 3Davis Conference CenterSpring
2019May 31 - June 1Davis Conference CenterSummer
2019August 30–31Davis Conference CenterEnd of Summer
2020March 5–8Davis Conference CenterSpring
2021July 30 - August 1Davis Conference CenterEnd of Summer
2022January 14-16Ruby's InnBryce
2022March 3–6Davis Conference CenterSpring
2022September 2-4Davis Conference CenterEnd of Summer
2023January 13-15Ruby's InnBryce
2023March 2-5Davis Conference CenterSpring
2023June 2-4Davis Conference CenterSummer
2023September 1-3Davis Conference CenterEnd of Summer
2024January 12-14Ruby's InnBryce
2024February 29 - March 3Davis Conference CenterSpring
2024June 7-9Davis Conference CenterSummer
2024August 30 - Sep 1Davis Conference CenterEnd of Summer
2025January 17-19Davis Conference CenterBryce
2025January 24-26Davis Conference CenterBryce Twice
2025February 27 - March 2Davis Conference CenterSpring
2025June 6-8Davis Conference CenterSummer
2025August 29-31Davis Conference CenterEnd of Summer

Support for Other Events

SaltCON supports other events and conventions all over Utah. They provide their game library, volunteers, and game teachers to many other events.

Events that SaltCON has supported:

Notes and References

  1. Web site: SaltCon: A Small Convention Done Right. 2016-03-31. Rob Cramer. 2016-07-28.
  2. Web site: SaltCon UT, LLC. 2016-07-28.
  3. Web site: PHG Event: Plaid Hat Games at SaltCon 2016!. 2016-02-07. . 2016-07-28.
  4. Web site: SaltCON Board Game Convention brings game designers and players together. . 14 March 2015. 2016-07-28.
  5. Web site: SaltCON board gamers not bored in Salt Lake City. 2013-02-16. Scott D. Pierce. 2016-07-28.
  6. Web site: QEE 3HG Panic Fire at Salt Con 2016 STANDALONE. YouTube. 2016-07-28.
  7. Web site: Salt Con. 2016-04-20. Cody. 2016-07-28.
  8. Web site: SaltCON brings together Utah board game aficionados. 2016-03-05. Alex Cabrero, xoel Cardenas. 2016-07-28.
  9. Web site: Gravity Dice to visit SaltCon 2016. 2016-02-08. James Kathrein. 2016-07-28.
  10. Web site: Best Board Game Conventions in North America. . 2016-07-28.
  11. Web site: SALTCON 2015: NO NATURAL PREDATORS. 2015-03-16. ANDREA SILVA. 2016-07-28.
  12. Web site: Meeple Nation at SaltCON 2016. 2016-03-19. Ryan Decaria. 2016-07-28.
  13. Web site: Ion Award. 2016-07-28.
  14. Web site: SaltCon 2016 Ion Award Winners Announced. 2016-03-10. . 2016-07-28.
  15. Web site: The Indie Convention Bump. 2014-06-10. Ryan LaFlamme. 2016-07-28.
  16. Web site: Game designers, players gather for convention. 2013-02-16. Mark Green. 2016-07-28.
  17. Web site: SaltCON 2016 in Layton. 2016-07-28.
  18. Web site: SaltCON - Daredevil S02E01. Kristopher McClanahan. 2016-07-28.
  19. Web site: SALTCON 2015: GAME SWAP AND FLEA MARKET. 2015-03-16. NICOLE STEPHENSON. 2016-07-28.
  20. Web site: SALTCON 2015: THE DRESDEN FILES. 2015-03-14. NICOLE STEPHENSON. 2016-07-28.
  21. Web site: SALTCON 2015: FIGURINE PAINTING. 2015-03-14. NICOLE STEPHENSON. 2016-07-28.
  22. Web site: SALTCON 2015: DIGITAL ART PANEL. 2015-03-16. NICOLE STEPHENSON. 2016-07-28.
  23. Web site: SALTCON 2015: BOARD GAME DESIGN 101. 2015-03-16. NICOLE STEPHENSON. 2016-07-28.
  24. Web site: SaltCON Layton Utah Mar 3 - Mar 5 2016. 2015-12-21. anwoke8204. 2016-07-28.
  25. Web site: Volunteers for SaltCON 2016. 2016-01-04. kiersten, Development Officer, Primary Children’s Hospital. 2016-07-28.
  26. Web site: CAPSTONE GAMES REPRESENT AT SALTCON!. 2015-03-19. HENRY GLASHEEN. 2016-07-28.
  27. Web site: FORM OF ROCKET, SALTCON, PALACE OF BUDDIES, SISTER DOTTIE S. DIXON. JP. 13 February 2012. 2016-07-28.
  28. Web site: SaltCON. 2011-02-18. Gavin Sheehan. 2016-07-28.
  29. Web site: SaltCON: Salt Lake City, Utah; February 17-18, 2012; (Board Game Convention). 2011-09-15. Steven Poelzing. 2016-07-28.
  30. Web site: SaltCON 2013. Salt Lake City Utah. Feb 15-17, 2013. 2012-08-30. Steven Poelzing. 2016-07-28.
  31. Web site: SaltCON 2014 in Layton Utah, March 28, 29, and 30, 2014. 2013-10-04. Dan. 2016-07-28.
  32. Web site: A Gathering of Strangers, Salt Lake City Utah, July 10 & 11 (Board Game Convention). 2009-05-12. Dale Gifford. 2016-07-28.
  33. Web site: SaltCON, Salt Lake City Utah, February 26-28 2010 (Board Game Convention). 2012-10-11. Dale Gifford. 2016-07-28.
  34. Web site: SaltCON: Salt Lake City, Utah; February 18-19, 2011; (Board Game Convention). 2010-08-23. Dale Gifford. 2016-07-28.
  35. Web site: SaltCON Boardgame Convention in Layton Utah, March 12-14, 2015. 2015-01-25. Dan. 2016-07-28.
  36. Web site: SaltCON - March 3-5 2016. 2016-02-19. Dan. 2016-07-28.
  37. Web site: Salt Lake Gaming Con kicks off inaugural event. 2015-09-02. Michael McFall. 2016-07-28.
  38. Web site: Board Game Convention Preview: STGCON. 2015-07-23. Crystal Pisano. 2016-07-28.
  39. Web site: 6 great board games for kids. 2015-11-18. Carrie Rogers-Whitehead. 2016-07-28.
  40. Web site: Tabletop Day. https://web.archive.org/web/20160315054520/http://geekandsundry.com/table-top-day/. dead. March 15, 2016. 2016-07-28.

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