Summertime ... school is out. Time for swimming, picnics, barbecues ... and vacations. Which means its time for WBC! Had enough recession doom & gloom? Boardgaming has always been an economical  vacation in hard times and 2009 is no exception. Pre-registration is running strong and our Vendors Room is again a sellout with many exciting new publishers on hand. Check out their products by following the links at the very top of our homepage.

WBC PROGRAM ON LINE:  The WBC program containing detailed alphabetical and chronological schedules of this year's World Boardgaming Championships is now available online in full color. The version given out at WBC is a one-color booklet so those who appreciate the easier reading color coding of the event lists may want to download and print out the colored version now. It can be downloaded at http://www.boardgamers.org/wbc/schedule.htm

A limited number of 2008/2009 Yearbooks will be available for $10 each while supplies last. See the pre-registration form for ordering information. Late joining Tribune members may also pick up a copy at registration while supplies last. You can view the yearbook online at http://www.boardgamers.org/yearbook/print/.

WBC SOUVENIR T-SHIRTS: This year's WBC silk-screened shirts feature the BPA logo on a light green shirt.  We no longer will be making shirts on site so if you'd like a souvenir shirt, you need to pre- order it for pickup at the show. See the pre-registration form for details. We will accept COD orders received no later than July 22nd. Simply email doncon99@toad.net with your order and size, and we'll  have one put aside for you for payment upon arrival. http://www.boardgamers.org/wbc/shirts.htm

LADIES' SHIRT STYLES: A special V-neck cut for the ladies is also available but only on a white shirt and only in sizes Small to Xtra Large. If you have ordered a shirt without specifying the type, you will get the normal green shirt. To get the ladies V-neck style, you must specifically request it before July 22nd. No exchanges can be made on site. You can change your order or confirm the style you'll receive by emailing doncon99@toad.net BEFORE July 22nd.

REVAMPED SAMPLER SHOWCASE & GAME LIBRARY: Thanks to the globe trotting efforts of our  reigning GM of the Year, Tom McCorry, the Sampler Showcase is back as  an introduction (not a pre-con) of the new full week of WBC. Sampler  Showcase is an Open Gaming festival free to all paid current WBC attendees  featuring scheduled hands-on sessions for learning new games under the  direction of volunteer game mentors who will be on hand to teach many exciting new games. 14 titles are currently scheduled for sessions  and will be available in the BPA game library for use during the  Sampler and throughout the week. See the Sampler schedule and details on the BPA game library under the direction of Keith Levy at  http://www.boardgamers.org/wbc/sampler.htm

OPEN GAMING: In keeping with the increased emphasis on non-tournament gaming of the Sampler Showcase, Open Gaming space has been increased to record levels. For the first time, an entire ballroom will be dedicated to Open Gaming throughout the convention with Ballroom A serving that purpose Monday through Wednesday and the Lancaster Showroom performing that role Thursday thru Sunday. For more information see http://www.boardgamers.org/wbc/opengaming.htm

TEAM TOURNAMENT: Eight teams have already thrown down their gauntlets for the 2009 Team Tournament as the Happy Handicapper sharpens his pencil to quote the odds. Will last year's record field of 90 teams be topped? Will three-time champion Nest of Spies make a comeback or will the mighty Finn continue to plague them? Will your team be chosen for logo notoriety by herr Doctor?  Check out the gory details of the past at http://www.boardgamers.org/wbc/teamtournamentresults.htm and email your entry to doncon99@toad.net or send in the form at http://www.boardgamers.org/downloads/WBC09prereg.pdf no later than July 25th. All teams require four pre-registered players who have registered to play a different game.

WBC AUCTION PRE-REGISTRATION HALF FULL:  The first 247 lots have been posted at http://www.boardgamers.org/wbc/auctionlots.htm. BPA is still accepting pre-registration of lots for its annual auction in Lancaster, PA  on August 4th. Items must be delivered in person on Monday night,  August 3rd or the following Tuesday morning before noon by registered members. Since the auction is very popular and lots are limited to the first 550 registered, pre-registration of items is essential. Our previous auctions have sold out via pre-registration so don't expect to bring items unregistered to the door.  See the details at http://www.boardgamers.org/wbc/auction.htm  Download your Lot Forms now. Don't procrastinate!

AUCTION STORE PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED: We've expanded our popular Auction Store for the sale of additional lower priced items during the WBC auction. Located in the same showroom with the Auction, buyers  will be able to peruse items with a set price within view and earshot of the ongoing auction. The Auction Store increases the number of  items sold in less time while offering sellers a more efficient way  to offer lower priced items at a reduced commission. Items in the Auction Store have a top price of $30 BUT MUST be pre-registered by July 25th. Don't be turned away for failure to pre-register items as a  few scofflaws were last year. Unregistered items will not be accepted.  You need not prepay any fees until you deliver your items to the Auction Store but the items MUST BE preregistered. Come prepared with your Auction Store Item forms pre-completed. After processing the submission, the Auction Store Administrator will provide Lot Numbers  for the items. See http://www.boardgamers.org/wbc/auctionstore.htm for details and to download your Auction Store forms. Sellers are encouraged to read both the Auction and Auction Store details carefully to determine which venue is the best choice for their sales items.

WBC EVENT PREVIEWS: WBC 2009 is now on line with our usual full assortment of scheduling aides. Those with the latest in technology gadgets can view the latest event details while at the Host since the hotel is equipped for internet access. In depth previews of each of the 2009 WBC  tournaments—including six Pre-Cons—many with new formats and relevant links - are now on line as only WBC does them at http://www.boardgamers.org/yearbkex/

WBC PRE-REGISTRATION FORMS:  The current Pre-Reg form can be downloaded from  http://www.boardgamers.org/downloads/WBC09prereg.pdf You can also check http://www.boardgamers.org/wbc/prereg.htm to check your current registration status or to advertise for rides, roommates,  or Open gaming opportunities. It will be updated weekly as information is received. If you'd like help with any of the above, email your  requests to doncon99@toad.net to be listed on the page. Take a moment  to pre-register now ... it beats paying those higher at-the-door prices and is much quicker when you're anxious to hit the gaming tables.

JUNIORS: In keeping with the family-friendly atmosphere of Lancaster Host (which is adjacent to an amusement park), WBC again slates a full schedule of Junior and Teen events to augment the kids playroom, poolside movies, terrific pool and host of recreational activities. Juniors attend free when accompanied by an adult member. View the Junior events at http://www.boardgamers.org/yearbkex/jnrpge.htm, the Juniors schedule at http://www.boardgamers.org/wbc/juniorsschedule.htm, and the Teen program at http://www.boardgamers.org/yearbkex/teenpge.htm.

WBC SCHEDULING AIDS: Steve Okonski has once again worked his magic and  presented a host of convenient programming tools to help you plan your WBC week. Choose from among the Custom Scheduler at  http://www.boardgamers.org/wbc/sviewer/, an All-in-One schedule at http://www.boardgamers.org/wbc/allin1.htm, or several downloadable pdf pocket schedules. They can all be reached from: http://www.boardgamers.org/wbc/schedule.htm

BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2009 ELECTION: The E-Ballot for the 2009 Board of Director's election is now available at http://www.boardgamers.org/election.htm. Please take a moment to cast your vote sometime before the July 15th  deadline. Even if you're indifferent to the results, by law a % of the membership must cast ballots for a valid election. Failure to do so, will require an additional election at more expense which will ultimately be passed on to the membership. While ballots can be caste by mail or email also, true on-line voting for the ultimate in convenience is available at http://www.boardgamers.org/forms/BoardBallot.shtml.

LANCASTER HOST SELLOUT: Lancaster Host is already sold out for Wednesday through Saturday for the upcoming 2009 WBC. While you can still reserve rooms  at the Host for August 1st - 4th, you must check out by 11 AM  Wednesday. Not to worry—BPA also has group rates at the nearby Red Roof Inn and Continental across the street. These hotels have been recently renovated and offer bargain rates and free continental breakfasts when you ask for the World Boardgaming Championships group  rate. However, do not delay. Our group rates and room blocks expire soon and when they're gone, they're gone. Lancaster area hotels often sellout during the tourist season. Reserve your room now. Get the details at http://www.boardgamers.org/hotellan.htm

SEMINARS & SPOUSAL SUPPORT: WBC also hosts a variety of lectures and area activities for those less enamored with non-stop gaming. Peruse the PADutch website http://www.padutch.com/ to find non-gaming activities in the area or attend one of our gaming widow hours to commiserate with other spouses who drown their sorrows in outlet shopping, plays, and sight seeing.

WBC 2009 POSTER/FLYER: Help spread the word. Download the current WBC poster or flyer featuring the artwork of Kurt Miller at http://www.boardgamers.org/wbc/publicity.htm and post it at your next club meeting or ask your local gamestore to display it.

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PBeM NEWS:

SQUAD LEADER: A new Play By Email tournament will commence on July 15th. Get the details at http://www.wargameacademy.org/sqla/Tournaments/BpaSqlPbem2009/BpaSqlPbem2009.html

AMUN RE: The 2008 BPA pbem spielbyweb Final table has been achieved, with Eric Freeman securing the 6th place laurels in the tournament by virtue of a 94.3% second place finish in the Semi-final round. Those  still in the running for a higher finish are: Arthur Field, Greg Thatcher, and Haim Hochboim who won their respective Semis, and Chris Trimmer and Aran Warszawski whose runner-up performances in the Semis earned 95.1% and 94.7% respectively of the winner's score.  Follow the action in the Final at: http://home.roadrunner.com/~kwojtasz/Amun-Re/amun-re2008.html

All BPA tournaments require current BPA membership when the event starts. All multi-day paid attendees to WBC are current BPA members for the balance of that calendar year. Associate Calendar year memberships enabling play in all PBeM events starting in that year cost only $10 and earn discounts for pre-registered admission to all BPA gaming conferences. You need not keep your membership current in order to finish a PBeM event. Players may join the BPA throughout the year. You can upgrade your current membership at any time by remitting additional funds. See http://www.boardgamers.org/bpaterms.htm for details.

BPA members who would like an email tournament for a particular game are encouraged to step forward to GM such an event. BPA does not run tournaments. Rather, we are an organization of gamers lending support to one another so such events can happen. No one cares as much about your hobby as you do. Get involved. See the requirements  to host a BPA email tournament at http://www.abovethefields.com/top_pbem/

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If you are not already receiving our monthly email newsletters, please subscribe as directed below as we are unable to add you ourselves. To receive our free monthly newsletters you MUST join the BPA mailing list by visiting http://lists.boardgamers.org/mailman/listinfo/bpamail to confirm your address and your desire to be on this list. Subscribing takes only a moment, ensures your privacy, and increases likelihood of receipt. The newsletter will continue to be posted in the WBC folder in the Conventions section of Consimworld and on our website but will otherwise be unavailable to those who do not join the list in this fashion. If already receiving the BPA News you need take no additional action.

Don Greenwood
WBC Convention Director