Thanks for choosing to vacation with us in our third year in Seven Springs, our 20th year as the WBC. Here are some helpful hints and late breaking news to guide you through the coming week. To those who have heard this all before, please bear with me as much of what follows is still new and pertains to our newer venue. But first, refresh the cache in your browser to get the latest updates on our website. 

TEAM TOURNAMENT: And they're off! The odds are posted for the 28th run for the slivers. See the Team Tournament page to check the hilarious assemblage of 71 team logos and accompanying commentary by Stuart "Happy Handicapper" Tucker for the tote board of the Seven Springs Handicap. 

BRACKET BUSTIN' WBC STYLE: Got March Madness withdrawal? Make your brackets for the WBC Team Tournament. Send your Top Ten picks for the Team Tournament (by Team Name - not number) listed in order from 1st to 10th to conventiondirector@boardgamers.org by July 20th for a chance to win a free Sustaining admission to WBC 2019. One entry per person. 

WALK-ONS WELCOME: Pre-Registration is long since closed, but we welcome additional attendees at the door. 

BADGE HOLDERS: Don’t worry about leaving your “official” WBC pouch badge holder at home. We’ve bagged the treehugger and the US balance of payments concerns and said whatta heck - one less rule. You can use the badge holder appliance of your choice as long as you wear one. If you need one, we have four styles available ranging in price from the free pin version to a $2 pouch version. Options include pin, clip, magnetic and souvenir pouch. Be forewarned, however, that the magnetic version does not fare well with backpack, seat belts, hotel keys, credit cards, and pacemaker interactions. There will be a $5 charge for lost and replaced badges. 

SIGNATURE GUARANTEE: You must sign for receipt of your badge and all the goodies that come with it. So make sure you have everything before you walk away. Once you sign, there is no coming back for what you forgot. Every one must pick up and sign for their own badge. No exceptions! 

PROGRAM: The 2018 printed program available at registration is black & white only. Those who prefer a full color presentation or who cannot wait to get their hands on a printout may download it now in full color. The programs provided at WBC are strictly one per person and invariably get lost so having a spare or one of the schedule apps is highly recommended. GAMES: Lastly, remember to bring the games you want to play! Especially those of the two-player variety. Those using public transport must understandably pack lighter, but if you're driving, toss every game you want to play in the trunk. Every year people get turned away for lack of games. 

2019 RESERVATION POLICY: Do not try to make a 2019 reservation. Seven Springs will not accept hotel reservations before Jan. 15, 2019. At that time, reservations will again be limited to those reserving stays of five days or more with shorter duration stays opening later on a space available basis. A non-refundable deposit of 50% of the total lodging cost per room (or 25% per condo) will be required. Reservations cancelled 60 days or more in advance of arrival date will forfeit one night of the advance deposit amount. Reservations cancelled within 60 days of arrival date will forfeit the entire deposit. Reservations cannot be transferred to another party. Any cancelled room will be returned to availability and subject to claim by the next party on the waiting list. This policy change is to prevent early sellouts by those reserving rooms on speculation. For years we were plagued by early sellouts only to have speculative reservations cancelled when it’s too late to fill those rooms by folks who have made other plans in the interim. Consequently, we’ve decided to finally put some teeth in the policy in an attempt to keep rooms available until people are sure they will use them. 

PARKING & CHECK-IN: Seven Springs is blessed with ample free parking, but exercising considerate behavior in its use will make this facility better for all concerned, so:

• If staying in the Hotel, unload your bags by the main entrance on Main St and follow the road to the parking in the Lower Lot on Tennis Court Road in front of the hotel tower.
• If staying in the condos or a chalet, stop just long enough to get your keys and directions to your condo/chalet from the front desk in the hotel lobby. Parking is available in front of your condo/chalet. Park in front of the chalets, only if staying in a chalet.
• Those bringing many games would be well advised, AFTER checking in, to proceed to the right of the hotel on Ski View Ave and park in the upper lot, using your car for a games cache close to the meeting rooms of the Convention Center. Entrance to the Convention Center and Main Lodge for those staying in the hotel is best accomplished from inside the hotel directly from the third and fourth floors. Those staying elsewhere should park in the Upper Lot and enter the Convention Center directly from the lot. 

FOOD SERVICE: See the inside cover of the program for more information on meal options. 

WBC AUCTION/AUCTION STORE: Pre-registration for the Auction and Auction Store has ended. Do not bring unregistered items for sale. Auction and Auction Store sales are strictly cash-only affairs. While there are ATMs on site, they can be emptied during sold out conventions so we suggest bringing the cash you'll need. WBC still does NOT take credit cards.

Sitting in on the game auction is always a nostalgic way to spend the day. The Auction begins at 10 AM Tuesday and will conclude at 5 PM prior to tournament fare resuming. Check out the newly updated list of over 580 lots being auctioned is available online. Print the list to help you track the bidding. 

The Auction Store opens at 9 AM and runs until 3PM with price changes at 11 AM and 1PM. 

Registered lots for the Auction and Auction Store must be checked in at the Grand Ballroom on Monday between 12 and 10 PM. 

KIOSKS: Check the Kiosks display in the 4th level hallway between the Main Lodge & the Convention Center opposite Pizza Place. Each is adorned with a pictorial history of the event that furthers the traditions of WBC. Do NOT sign the entrant lists on the Kiosks - those are strictly for the use of GMs. There is no event pre-registration at WBC. Later, when you want to see if you've done well enough to advance to a subsequent round after a preliminary heat, check out the Alternate & Qualifying lists on these kiosks which should be returned to this hallway in alphabetical order when not in use. Do NOT write on these kiosks! 

The Event History sheet on each kiosk contains a space to the right of the 2017 Laurelists for the GM Cell Phone #, if the GM provided one. This provides a uniform place to look for this information. 

PERSONAL SCHEDULER & APPS REVISED: View the details of your favorite events and then plan your schedule by checking the Schedule page for all of the updated scheduling tools, including the iPad, Android, and Kindle apps. 

PICTURES: Newcomers will have their photos taken, so dress accordingly. We use these photos on our membership badges as well as website and event kiosks to honor winners and laurelists in the various. You can request that we not use the photo on the internet. If your photo is more than 10 years old, you will be asked to have a new photo taken. If you wish to have a new photo before then, just ask. 

PACE YOURSELF: WBC is nine days long. As such, it is very much a marathon - not a sprint. Resist the urge to treat it as a theme park and run from one event to the next. You'll enjoy yourself more if you take the time to eat and sleep normally and take an occasional break. 

UNABLE TO ATTEND? We'll miss you, but if you have a friend who is going, ask them to pick up any souvenirs for you and send us an email at conventiondirector@boardgamers.org to confirm who your representative is. 

REGISTRATION DESK: Convention registration is in Stag Pass next to the Grand Ballroom and Exhibit Hall (Open Gaming). The registration desk will be open on the First Friday from 7 PM – 9 PM. The desk will be open from 8 AM to 8 PM daily until closing on Sunday at approximately 2 PM. Be sure to stop by before departing to pick up any prizes won. Whether pre-registered or not - report to Stag Pass to pick up your badge and program. We do not take credit cards - so bring your checkbook or cash if you are planning to register on-site or purchase souvenir items. 

MAILING LIST: At registration, walk-ins will be required to complete a registration form that includes both postal and email addresses so that we can contact you in the future. Rest assured that BPA does not sell or share its Membership List. If pre-registered, and you have changed either postal or email addresses recently, please share that information with us by neatly printing a Change of Address Registration form. However, to actually get our free Monthly newsletter emailed to you, visit: http://lists.boardgamers.org/mailman/listinfo/bpamail 

O, Canada! & Overseas Members: To avoid currency exchange problems, many of our members outside the US pre-pay their next year membership fees. We now accept Paypal payments throughout the year so this is less of a problem. However, those reluctant to deal with Paypal may complete a Future WBC Registration form in Stag Pass for a Sustaining, Tribune, or Sponsor membership, including indicating their preference for a free souvenir in the case of Tribune members. You will have the honor of becoming our first 2019 members. But first see Page 3 of this year’s program for 2019 Reservations policy. Don't forget this registration allows you to participate in the Trial and Sportsmanship votes during our December to January membership drive. You can submit these votes by emailing me at conventiondirector@boardgamers.org.

NEW DAYS AND AN ADDITIONAL LOCATION FOR VENDORS: Shoppers are reminded that our Vendors Room changed to Thursday thru Saturday this year. After feedback from last year on the small existence of non-wargame vendors, we are pleased to announce that we have increased our Vendor participation and had to expand the Vendor Space to Fox Den in addition to the traditional Timberstone space. We have many of your favorite publishers back while welcoming ADMW Games, Canton Games, Flying Pig Games, Game Surplus, Holy Grail Games, Mystik Waboose, and Third Eye Comics as vendors, Collins Epic Wargames as a returning vendor after a long absence, and Jealous Cat Games as an exhibitor to their first WBC. 

TOURNAMENTS: If you are with us for the first time, you may wonder what's the big deal. Well, WBC tournaments tend to be a far cry from what you will find elsewhere masquerading as "events". Not all our tournaments are equal as GMs vary widely in experience and passion. You may be someone just looking for fun with pre-conceived notions of uber competitiveness who has always claimed that tournaments are not for you, but you'll be shortchanging yourself if you don't avail yourself of the opportunity to try a few. You might be surprised at just how much "fun" they are, especially the late night events. Even confessed Open Gaming junkies admit that WBC's scheduled events provide the best organized Open Gaming ever - no more arguing about what to play next or endless teaching sessions. Just show up and play someone who actually knows how to play at the appointed time and place, nothing could be easier? So, keep an eye on that rotating projected schedule in the Exhibit Hall and pick a convenient time to get your feet wet. If you don't like it, you can always go back to Open Gaming - but at least you'll have tried. 

OPEN GAMING: If you are not interested in tournaments, WBC may still be the place for you as we have over 15,000 sq. ft. of space in the Exhibit Hall and Exhibit Hall annex available for Open Gaming and Demos. Open Gaming is limited to these two locations and requires a WBC badge which should be worn at all times. Any game abandoned for more than an hour runs the risk of the game being removed to Lost & Found. The "Saving" of tables and solicitation is NOT ALLOWED. Using the preliminary round of WBC events as a form of scheduled Open Gaming is common practice. If you win and have no desire to continue in the event, just inform the GM. 

In addition to borrowing games to play from our Game Library mentioned below, you can get a highly visible display that announces your invitation to join your table and thereby escape the pain of being turned away. The kiosks are color-coded like their larger, tournament brethren: red seeks experienced players; yellow will teach you to play; and green seeks someone to teach them or are willing to learn together. Once your table is filled with all the players you need, please return the kiosk for others to use in finding partners. 

GAME LIBRARY: Thanks to the generous support of our vendors, exhibitors, and other contributing publishers, the Exhibit Hall will have a supply of games for free use throughout the convention. The Game Library is in the process of being updated with the latest hot games. Please borrow only one at a time and do not take them from the Exhibit Hall. Return them to the same alphabetical section of the library in the same condition you received them, and remember to sign them both in and out on the same line using the same alphabetical-coded clipboard for the game you borrowed. Use the bags provided to sort and store pieces for the next user. Your co-operation is needed so we can continue to offer this valuable resource. The current Game Library inventory is online. 

EXHIBITS: These are not to be confused with Vendors & Sales, but are tables reserved for publishers to demonstrate their products, both old and new, and distribute their literature. They may playtest upcoming games or just invite you to Open Game with their products. These tables will be marked as reserved for the various companies and cannot be used for Open Gaming or events without the permission of that exhibitor. Exhibit tables will be in the front of the Exhibit Hall. 

JUNIORS: The Juniors program is located in Hemlock on Level 3 of the Convention Center. Before your child can participate in the program, be advised that those 12 and under who wish to play in the Juniors events or use the Juniors room must be accompanied by a member parent or guardian to sign a consent form before being allowed to use the room. Be advised that the Juniors Room is NOT a Day Care service, however, and that we take no responsibility for keeping tabs on children who are free to come and go as they please. There is no substitute for parental supervision. We welcome all parental assistance in teaching games and keeping order. Inquire with the hotel for day care and kids camp services. 

FOREIGN CURRENCY: Exchange of foreign currency is not available locally. Be sure to visit the Foreign Exchange Office at your airport. While the hotel accepts major credit cards, the BPA does not, so convention registration and auction purchases must be paid for in US currency. There is a $25 charge for any returned check. 

WEATHER: This being our third trip to Seven Springs with a heat wave and monsoon in our first two trips, we’re not quite sure what to expect this time other than the mountain resort is likely to be cooler and less humid than where most of you are coming from. Dress accordingly and don't forget your swimsuit for a refreshing dip in the pool or jacuzzi. But even during the current heat wave, pack a sweater and pants to deal with the possibility of the air conditioning being too cold for you. The BPA is provided umbrellas for use during the convention between the main Convention Center and the Ski Lodge based on our experience with some rain that makes the uncovered short walk difficult when it rains. There will be containers for the umbrellas at both locations. Please make sure to put them in the marked containers when you reach the other side so fellow attendees can make use of them also. 

MEETINGS: The BPA's Annual Meeting will be held before the Collectibles auction on Tuesday, July 24th at 3 PM in the Grand Ballroom of Seven Springs Mountain Resort where we will present the BPA Annual Awards and unveil the newly elected 2018 version of the Board of Directors. There is usually time for a brief question and answer session at the meeting. 

At 8 AM on Sunday morning, July 29th you will find your Board of Directors in the Snowflake Forum for the Annual BPA After Action Meeting. This meeting will feature a Q&A session on the recently completed 2018 WBC with comments from the members regarding our third year at Seven Springs. All are encouraged to attend. 

SHOW YOUR COLORS: Saturday, July 28, is the official Game Club T-Shirt Day. Promote your local gaming group and camaraderie by showing everyone your gaming affiliation. Friday, the 27, is Team Shirt day. Show the creativity of those clever team logos. Thursday is Centurion Shirt day when past winners can strut their stuff in unison. And for the elite veterans amongst us, Wednesday is Legion Day when those proud few stalwarts laying claim to having attended every WBC can proudly proclaim their veteran status by wearing their Legion shirts. Tuesday is Hawaiian Shirt Day to honor the auction staff. But Monday is a day when we can all show our local pride by wearing our favorite Sports Jersey. Promote your sports affiliations when we meet at WBC! Empty your closets and pack accordingly. 

POSTERS NA: Attendees are reminded that absolutely NO flyers, posters, or charts of any kind are to be taped, glued, stapled, or adhered in any fashion to any surface at Seven Springs. Any such materials will be immediately removed. You are welcome to place flyers for gaming activities on our “free stuff” table in registration. Flyers placed elsewhere will be removed. ABSOLUTELY no signage of any kind is to be adhered to a wall, furniture or other surface. Those who ignore this rule will be liable for damage claims. 

FLEA MARKETS NA: Attendees are reminded that all tables at WBC are reserved for the PLAY of games by those with a current WBC badge. No unauthorized selling, trading, or solicitation is allowed on the premises. Items stacked on tables and games left unattended will be sent to Lost & Found in Registration. 

WEAPONS & UNIFORMS NA: Weapons and items that appear to be weapons are not allowed at WBC. For more details, see our policy page. 

SMOKING NA: There is no smoking in public areas throughout WBC. If you need to smoke, please step outside. Do NOT open windows. Attendees are reminded NOT to bring outside food and drink into the meeting rooms. Seven Springs does not allow it. 

DRINK RESPONSIBLY: While we do not wish to restrict any one's civil liberties, we must protect the majority (especially the children present) from the irresponsible behavior of a few who imbibe too much. Please restrict your social drinking to acceptable levels, and if you have had problems of this sort in the past, we urge you to abstain altogether.