Nuke-Con

Author: Norajan McIntyre

  • Nuke-Con Covid-19 Update

    Nuke-Con Covid-19 Update

    Dateline: August 9, 2021

    You’ve probably heard the news reports that there’s a resurgence of infections pushed by the Delta variant of Covid-19. As of today, Iowa hasn’t placed any new social distancing mandates, but nevertheless Nuke-Con has decided on some precautions for the health and safety of gamers, merchants, and staff.

    First measure – Mask up! Most of the Nuke-Con staff will be wearing masks, and we strongly encourage the rest of you to wear your masks, as well. I’m looking forward to seeing what crazy designs you’ve all found this last year! We’ll have some disposables available for those who forgot.

    Second measure – This one’s on you, folks. If you don’t feel well on Nuke-Con weekend, please stay home. That way you’ll be protecting your fellow gamers from whatever ails you. We can arrange to roll your membership over to the next year, and you can still join us via Virtual Nuke-Con and Discord.

    Third measure– We’ll have sanitizer scattered throughout the convention space. Please use it often! Don’t forget to wash your hands, too.

    Fourth measure – We’re creating wider spaces between game tables, which means fewer tables but better distancing.

    Thanks for helping us make a convention that we all can enjoy.

    Don’t forget the date: September 24, 25, and 26 at the Mid-America Center, Council Bluffs IA. Registration is open here and you can schedule your game here. We’ll have Virtual Nuke-Con going in the Discord channel, too; consider the possibilities as you plan your program.

    Until The Weekend of Games!

  • Calling Volunteers!

    Calling Volunteers!

    Are you looking for a way to ease yourself back into society?

    Do you need to ease the cost of convention weekend?

    Would you like to be a part of the ongoing story of the Weekend of Games?

    Every convention needs folks to help with convention planning and with staffing during the weekend. Nuke-Con is looking for people with graphic arts skills, social media savvy, negotiation expertise, strong arms and backs, a few spare hours during Convention Weekend . . . these and a willingness to help people have a good time.

    What’s in it for you, you may ask.

    First: the skills you learn while volunteering can translate directly into your resume.

                  Item: I negotiated pricing and terms with a national corporation. (You worked on the contract with our venue and hotel partners.)

                  Item: I led a team of 4 people on a marketing blitz that provided 10% of our operating budget. (You planned the schedule and led the folks who met with our dealers several times a month leading up to the convention. Bonus points if the dealers agreed to come to Nuke-Con again the next year.)

                  Item: I was responsible for the acquisition, inventory, and distribution of achievement awards for more than 100 people. (You were in charge of Nuke-Con’s Prize Vault).

                  Item: I planned and executed a social media marketing campaign that increased attendance by 25% in the first year. (You wrote and posted Nuke-Con items in various social media outlets.)

    Second: the cost of your badge may be fully reimbursed to you, depending on how much time you spend on convention activities.

    Third: the convention cannot run without its volunteers. You can be part of the team that carries Nuke-Con into the next 10 years.

    If you’re interested in joining the staff, contact volunteers@nuke-con.com.

  • Call for Games at the Return of the Weekend of Games

    At our new location, the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs, we’ve got room for all kinds of games from Apples to Apples all the way through Warhammer (and beyond, if you can think of any). Game registration is open now. All slots are currently available.

    We

    Need

    You!

    BONUS! We’ll have our Discord channel active over the weekend, too, so if you need a virtual tabletop, we’ve got you covered!

    Don’t forget: September 24, 25, and 26, 2021. $30 for full weekend preregistration through September 1st 10pm.

    We are looking forward to seeing you!

  • Dan Eilers

    I am sorry to have to report to you the death of another member of our gaming community. Dan Eilers passed away on Sunday, March 28, after a short hospital stay.

    Our community is like a big family. We get together periodically to get re-acquainted and enjoy each other’s company. These are people that we may only see once a year, but for that one occasion we’re very glad to see them. It has been more than a year since the last such gathering, and while Dan had a lot of friends in our community, he slipped away so unexpectedly that we didn’t have the chance to exchange hugs or even handshakes. We feel his loss.

    You can watch for information about a memorial service at https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/daniel-eilers-obituary?pid=198184026.

    On behalf of Nuke-Con
    Norajane McIntyre

  • Aftershock Aftermath!

    We had a small but enjoyable game day yesterday. It felt good to connect with friends for no reason other than conversation and entertainment.

    Our thanks to the staff, GMs, and gamers that made it happen. We’ll have to do it again!

  • Coming soon . . . Aftershock Chain Reaction!

    While it may be too soon to party hearty in your favorite pub, we’ve got you covered. RPGs and board games for the main dish, with rooms for swapping gossip as a side dish. You can offer up your own event here, and though the event is FREE you will need to register for entry.

    Don’t miss it! Twelve full hours of games, 10 am to 10 pm on March 20 via Nuke-Con’s Discord channel. We hope to see you there!

  • Entertainment Ahead!

    On Saturday, March 20 Nuke-Con is hosting a Virtual Aftershock Game Day. 10 am to 10 pm via our Discord channel.

    No cost to attend, though you will need to register for entry. People can register to attend here and submit games here . All game types are welcome, and if you need some help translating your game to virtual, contact us.

    See you there!

  • Spin a Yarn Sabrina

    Nuke-Con regrets the passing last week of Sabrina Meyer, known to many in the gaming and costuming community for her wildly creative yarn work. Sabrina was also unfailingly kind and cheerful, always interested to learn about whatever was going on around her. We will miss her.

  • Announcing Upcoming 2021 Events

    Great news, Fellow Gamers!

    After a long year of minimal contact with fun-stifling social distance, Nuke-Con is planning for two upcoming events to liven up 2021.

    On March 20, Nuke-Con will host its first Aftershock of the year. This is a one-day on-line event, 10 am to 10 pm. We’ll host it on our Discord server (text, audio, and video if you need it). No charge to attend, just sign up!  GMs, if you’re ready to provide a virtual escape, you can do that via our submission form. Not sure what it takes to do a virtual event? We have some starting advice here.

    AND

    We’re back this fall with our 31st Annual Convention! Change of location (the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs) but the familiar three days of games, prizes, and camaraderie – just what you’ve been waiting for!

    Save the dates September 24, 25, and 26, 2021, and watch our website and social media for more information.

    So much looking forward to seeing you all again!

  • 2021 Convention Planning Meeting

    Happy New Year, fellow gamers!

    Nuke-Con holds its first planning meeting for the 2021 convention on Wednesday, January 13 at 6:30 pm via our Discord channel. Everybody is welcome; if you’ve got ideas about what to do when we all get back together again, bring ‘em on in!

    You can join us here.