Origins Game Fair--Future Dates

Since its move to Columbus, Ohio, the Origins Game Fair has been held in early July or late June, with only few exceptions. During this time, Origins has achieved record levels of attendance, topping 15,000 gamers in 2005 (June 30th-July 3rd), and achieving over 10,000 attendees each time since then. This is a phenomenal feat, especially in an economic depression. These attendees come from all walks of life, and include all ages.

Thusfar, GAMAthe Game Manufacturers Association, the group in charge of the Origins Game Fairhas been more than amenable to those in the teaching profession, as well as to children. GAMA has offered the Teachers Hall Pass badge to certified teachers, allowing free admission and access to educational seminars and other events designed to assist teachers with their craft. GAMA has also reached out to children and families, offering a track of events specifically catering to families with small children. In addition, in collaboration with Mayfair Games, Origins has been able to offer a kids room with events geared specifically for children.

However, as of May, 2011, GAMA has announced that for the foreseeable future2012 and 2013, specificallythat the Origins Game Fair would be moved to the last week of May/first week of June.

This action flies in the face of both GAMAs friendship to the communities of educators and families, as well as to their commitment to growing the convention in terms of individual attendance and in events. It is our belief that GAMA must reconsider this decision and move Origins back to its original dates, in late June.

As of the printing of this petition, many school districts nationwide will still be in session during the dates of the 2012 and 2013 Origins Game Fairs, which will prohibit educators, parents, and students from attending. Columbus City Schools, for example, will end classes on June 12th, 2012. Both Dayton City and Cincinnati Public Schools will end on June 1st, 2012. Scheduling Origins over that weekend prohibits teachers, librarians, parents, and students from attending the Fair, and will have a drastic negative impact on Origins attendance.

Respectfully we, the undersigned, request that GAMA reconsider their choice, and move the dates for future Origins Game Fairs back to its traditional timing, in late June. We all wish to see a successful, event-filled Origins Game Fairplease dont exclude such a large segment of our gaming community!