With game conventions in full blossom, today we’re joined by our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion consultant, Lydia Wehmeyer, for some insights about how we can create more welcoming environments at conventions. I’m really excited about Geekway to the West in May, and I will heed Lydia’s insights there.
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Inclusion is active–it’s knowing that there are a wide diversity of people with different backgrounds, perspectives, and personalities whom you can help to feel welcome, included, and accepted. Here are 3 ways you can promote inclusion at board game conventions.
Communicate Mindfully: Listen More, Ask Questions, and Speak with Intentionality
Listening is extremely important in inclusion. Communicating mindfully means we are conscious of the words we choose.
- Listen and ask questions: Are you really listening to the people around you or just waiting for your turn to talk? Do you find yourself trying to “win” a conversation? One of the best ways I can listen to and learn about others is to ask questions. This is a particularly effective tool for inviting introverts into conversations. Plus, at game conventions it’s easy to make lots of little connections by popping by a game session and asking what people are enjoying most about the game.
- Avoid using assertive language: I’ve seen this really present in disagreements about what makes a “game” and why do someone like “that designer”? If I am involved in this conversation, I like to use phrasing such as “I appreciate your thoughts” or “In my opinion” (e.g., “I like/dislike this game” vs “This game is good/bad”) because my opinions are just that–opinions. I can’t create welcoming conversations if I use authoritative or judgmental language.
- Using the right pronouns: I love when conventions let attendees share their preferred on their name tags. If that information isn’t available, I’ve gotten into the habit of asking what pronoun they prefer to be called. This simple, outward-facing gesture opens up the space of connection, safety, and acceptance to be seen and welcomed.
Open Your Table: Use the “Player Needed” Flag
In many convention settings there are open gaming spaces where you can sit down to play games (that’s what Geekway to the West primarily is). Sometimes I have enough people in my group to play a game and sometimes I don’t. If I don’t, I look for a “Player Needed” flag and place it on my table. This cues any player who is looking for a spot to play to come over and ask if they can join. The first time I used the “Player Needed” flag I was so nervous that maybe they wouldn’t join or like the group I was playing with. However, a player came to my table and we had a wonderful time.
You can also look around gaming halls to see people who are sitting by themselves, are continually wandering around, or who have posted their own “Player Needed” flag. It’s quite possible that they’re waiting for someone specific, but sometimes they might be really happy that someone took the time to check in.
Take Time to Learn: Attend a Workshop or Panel
One thing that I love about the gaming community is that there is something for everyone. We are all learning in different ways, and I highly recommend taking the time to attend a panel that focuses on DEI or accessibility (or any topic–everyone has a different passion to share, and they love seeing curious faces in attendance).
If I’m not leading a panel or a workshop, I try to attend at least 1 panel. If the scheduling doesn’t work out, sometimes I reach out to the panel host and submit a comment to see how I can contribute in the future.
Overall, for inclusion to be effective, it starts with us. The more we work on ourselves, the easier it will be to be inclusive, aware, and welcoming to others.
Let’s have a wonderful convention season! I hope to see you at Geekway to the West, Pax East, Origins, Gen Con, and potentially UK Games Expo.
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Thank you so much for sharing this, Lydia! A lot of this echoes my experience at Geekway, which is a very welcoming convention in a number of ways. One point I’d add to the list is to quite literally include someone by inviting them to attend a convention with. It can be daunting to attend a hobby convention for the first time, and a personal invitation can go a long way.
If you have any thoughts or ideas about how convention attendees (or the conventions themselves) can be more inclusive and welcoming, please share in the comments!
Also see The Current State of Game Conventions and our BIPOC & DEI page.
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8 Comments on “Inclusivity at Events: How to Create a Welcoming Environment This Convention Season”
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[…] It is a great event and I get the feeling they really care and try the bring and buy, the bag drop and the open gaming areas are growing alongside if not faster than the shops. Well worth a visit just do a little bit of research. or just turn up and wander and be surprised A few tips on how YOU can help with inclusion and accessibility https://stonemaiergames.com/inclusivity-at-events-how-to-create-a-welcoming-environment-this-conve… […]
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Thank you Lydia for your mention of inviting introverts into conversations. As someone who can find large group social interactions daunting you have made me feel seen.
Hello Nicola,
Absolutely!
We sometimes often forget the simple things of inviting or even saying hi can break down wall for an introverts to get the courage to step forward.
Thank you for the kind words because you are worthy of being seen matter what.
Just wondering, does Lydia, or Jamey have any advice for welcoming people to a stall or stand where games are being demonstrated or offered for participation? I just mean, the player needed tag is sort of assumed and when presenting a game and moderating a learning session I think its more reasonable to be on the assertive side of things, I tend to start such sessions by getting participant’s names and using them anyway.
Hi Glenn!
Thank you for this comment and I am so glad you wrote this! I want to say thank you for your hard work moderating sessions for demonstrations and participations because it is a lot of things to handle in one setting.
With that being said..My first piece of advice is to not try to overthink it and be natural. The person coming to the area is just like everyone else with the a similar reason:
To play or learn about the game being presented. Not to be acknowledged only just for their pronouns for inclusion.
An example verbiage I usually use when I am in panels:
(See a person or group walking in)
Myself: Hi Everyone! My name is Lydia. My pronouns are she/hers/her. Thank you for coming over to our space. We are showing or demonstrating _____. Everyone is welcome to try and play but right we are full etc….
However there are times I usually just ask the other person I’m meeting (even if they have a tag) what pronouns do they prefer just out of respect because sometimes the tags they provide may not be the “official pronoun” they identify but its the closest one.
I hope this answered a little bit of your question and if I didn’t and you are looking at just how to specifically welcome people such as “How to greet or how to make strangers more comfortable at a demo table” just let me know.
Thanks so much!
Thanks for coming back.
I’m not sure I’m looking for anything specific, I’m just always aware that as a member of every over-represented demographic at most gaming conventions I go to I want to make any effort I can to be as welcoming as possible to anyone who might not be at their most comfortable. In particular I’m aware that I spend far more of my time focusing on making comfortable people who maybe struggle more with social situations generally and younger gamers than anyone else and I wonder if there are chances to broaden my focus. Mainly I’m just aware that I don’t often get to hear the position of someone who essentially deals with this professionally and so any feedback is appreciated. I’m a big believer in the power of the tabletop to bring people together and anything I can pick up to make that as true as possible is always worth listening to.
Happy Tuesday Glenn!
I appreciate you being open with this response because it means you genuinely care about making your place more inclusive and it sounds like you are doing a wonderful job already.
One of the things that stood out in your response was:
“In particular I’m aware that I spend far more of my time focusing on making comfortable people who maybe struggle more with social situations generally and younger gamers than anyone else”
This is not a bad thing! Keep on doing this. I have a tendency to focus on that too when I teach games to new players and as a result I realized that I needed to get back in the habit of including everyone. It’s only natural to gravitate towards players that may struggle more with socially and that are newer to the gaming field.
A tip to broaden your focus that has helped me is just check on everyone. When I say everyone, I mean EVERYONE. Even if you assume they are a “veteran gamer”, the fact that you took the effort to welcome is an experience that many may not be able to have :)
Keep being awesome