Official Announcement

Happy New Year to all of my boardgaming friends!  It's been a while since we've last spoken about Ludophilia, but it's time to get the ball rolling!  So with that, I'm happy to announce the 8th annual Ludophilia Boardgames and Craft Beer Fest!   Read on for the details....

WHAT IS LUDOPHILIA?
For any of you who have missed it until now, Ludophilia is the name we've given to our annual 4-day boardgaming (and craft beer sharing) extravaganza in the far northwest suburbs of Chicago!   It's much too friendly and informal to be called a "convention".  It's just an excuse for friends and friends-of-friends to get together in a large-ish hotel conference room with a few hundred board games and have the chance to strategize, socialize, and relax uninterrupted.  Everyone brings favorite games (and beverages) to share, and then it's open house at the hotel Thursday through Sunday!  Set up your own lodging plans if you want to stay overnight, and everyone is mostly responsible for their own food and drink.

SAVE THE DATE
The weekend for Ludophilia 8 will be Thursday, April 26th through Sunday, April 29th, 2018.  Please notice that we've moved back a few weeks to late April this year to avoid holidays and end-of-school-year activities, and mark your calendars NOW!  I'll be sending out a few reminders and additional information as the time draws nearer.

We typically play from 8:00am until midnight-ish Thursday through Saturday, but we'll most likely be packing up around lunch time on Sunday.

WHERE?

We're at the same place as last year, the Country Inn and Suites, 600 Tracy Trail, Crystal Lake, IL  60014.  Phone: 815-477-3500.  We're in their largest conference room, the Lincoln Room, which has proven to be a nice size for most of the time.  It's true that we sometimes get a little crowded, but we do have some overflow space into their breakfast area if absolutely necessary.

We've been on the brink of actually needing a larger venue for the last couple years, but not enough so to warrant paying for a whole second room.  However, I will say that if enough people pre-register to make it worth considering, I will definitely look into getting the room across the hall for Friday and/or Saturday night.  For this to be worth it, I would need a significant number of you to pre-commit to being there on certain days, so please don't hesitate to pre-register (see details below) if you're hoping for that!

If you will be staying at the hotel as I will, you can call 815-477-3500 or 800-830-5222 for reservations, or look online at https://www.countryinns.com/crystal-lake-hotel-il-60014/ilcryst.  Be sure to ask for the room block for "Ludophliia" for a special rate of $98+tax.

ADMISSION COST
Once again, I'll be keeping the admission cost for everyone the same as it's been: $10 per person per day (THURSDAY through SATURDAY). No charge for Sunday, since it's really mostly a packing-up and saying-goodbye day.  This is strictly to cover our costs. If we collect the same amount as we have the last 2 years, we should be able to cover the cost of the room within our buffer, and possibly even be able to afford some pizza one night.

You can start registering now by sending me $30 via Paypal to tempus42@yahoo.com.  Be sure to use the Family & Friends option to avoid fees, and be sure to include a note with your name and the days you plan on attending.

Or you can send check or cash to me at :
Brad Johnson
1517 Driftwood Lane
Crystal Lake, IL 60014

I can also accept cash and check during the con, but booking early is the best way to make sure we keep this thing running.

STAY TUNED

More details will follow!  Please keep watching your email and here.  I'll get the library list up soon -- based on recent years, I'm kind of expecting to start bringing fewer games myself to make more room for all the awesome games so many of you bring to share!

I sincerely hope that you all can make it to Ludophilia 8, April 26-29.  Whether you can come for one day or the whole weekend, I think you'll find it to be a good time.  It's been really excellent for the last 7 years with so many fun people coming from all over the country (and Canada!) for some focused boardgaming!  If you have any questions or you'd just like to let me know your plans, please don't hesitate to email!  Also, if you have a friend whom you'd like me to add to the invitation and notification email list, please send me their contact information!


Hope to see you all soon!

Brad.