With the recent sudden closure of the Wichita Scottish Rite, we spent about a week rudderless in choppy waters. On this Tuesday past, however, we received a message in a bottle inviting us to a new port of call: Newman University!
TsunamiCon 2025 will now be hosted on the Newman University campus at the Dugan Library and Campus Center. This lovely building is a hub for learning and social activities on the college grounds, and we’ll have access to a large conference room for gaming and the building’s pre-frontal area at the east door for our Marketplace. We also have a spacious VIG Lounge.
There will be some challenges. Funds have been compromised, with no return on our deposit at the prior venue, but the college is bound and determined to help us out. We have an unusual event on our hands, requiring a degree of space at odds with our attendance, due to activities requiring tables for everything, and that often means paying for more space. Sponsorship money and vendor fees help offset keeping the badge prices under control, but it’s a balancing act that is vital to the health of the convention.
When we were spiraling, I received a ton of great advice from the community – particularly in the form of venue recommendations. Most of the available event space in Wichita is far too small. and some of the larger spaces are basically huge empty rooms; there’s nothing wrong with hosting a convention in a huge empty room – it’s often cheaper than working with hotels and private venues – but I’ve devoted a lot of effort over the years to bringing a level of class and comfort to the event whenever possible. It’s important to us that we can make it not just a chance to play some games, but a memorable experience that helps bring our community together.
I feel like we’ve struck a good compromise with this recent move. Now we could use some help paying some of the expenses involved. Purchasing your badges and merch in advance can help us a lot, and you’ll have the added benefit of access to online game registration. I am preparing to open early registration for VIGs – we had intended to do that last week, but the venue issue had us reeling – so if you want a VIG ticket now is the time to buy. I’ll have to close VIG sales very soon regardless, so I can order merch based on what you’ve purchased.
I truly appreciate the love and support you show TsunamiCon every year, and we’re working hard to make this year’s event a success.
Your in Gaming.
E. “Captain” Carl