Have you heard about the convention that's bigger than Gen Con? Spiel Essen managing director Carol Rapp joins us in person to provide a presentation about the world's largest board game convention.
Description:
We think Gen Con is pretty great, but did you know there's an even bigger convention in Germany? Spiel Essen has been occurring since 1983, and in 2024 had 923 exhibitors from 52 countries! Come learn all about this unique, and, well, maybe just a little bigger than us, convention you can attend in October, from its managing director Carol Rapp. Carol will be offering a presentation as well as taking any questions from the audience.
Dungeons & Dragons: Future of the Forgotten Realms
Summary:
The Forgotten Realms is D&D's most beloved fantasy world. Join the D&D team to discuss its generations of impact, how it continues to be shaped by players and fans, and what's to come later in 2025.
Join panelists as they discuss what you can expect to deal with as an author working with an editor in this introduction to the process of editing at the professional level for authors.
Description:
Featuring: Arley Sorg, Brady McReynolds, Diana Pho, Toiya Kristen Finley
Discover some of history's most epic quests to inspire your next TTRPG, like a zombie plague of flesh-eating fungus or the Ice Age giants that saved a shipwrecked Russian crew.
Description:
Build better games through history! These stranger-than-fiction, real-world adventures would be right at home in your next TTRPG. Gain inspiration and compelling structures for your next dungeon run, hex crawl, or monster hunt. Featuring Book of Extinction, a bestiary of extinct animals resurrected for 5th Edition.
Even with the Ukraine War, the European security environment was stable. Panel explores chaos that has emerged in 2025. Dr. Craig Greathouse, Professor of Political Science, on NSDM staff.
Description:
Even with the Ukraine War, Europe had been relatively stable, a known balance of power producing a level of confidence that nations within & beyond Europe could gauge how their actions would fit. Now there is a level of chaos that has not been seen in 75 years. The uncertainty of the US commitment to its historic European leadership role has uprooted confidence in the European security environment. This may result in an effective threat for most of Central & Western Europe. The potential loss of the most important post-WW II security alliance creates a potential for a new, European pole to be established within the international system. Panel moderated by Dr. Craig Greathouse, Professor of Political Science specializing in the EU, International Relations Theory and Security and Defense Policy, on the National Security Decision Making Game staff.
How to be successful at organizing events at a local level such as your FLGS. We cover everything from scheduling to marketing to running the event to afterwards.
So you've just infodumped. It's okay, everyone does it. Join our panelists as they talk about when to flush it down the toilet, what's normal, and when it's frequent enough to seek professional help.
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Featuring: Arley Sorg, Chris A. Jackson, J.B. Garner, Jerry Gordon, Richard Dansky
Evolution of the Substance Use Recovery Revolution from the Steampunk Era to Today
Summary:
Explore the recovery movement's evolution from Victorian temperance to modern neuroscience, highlighting innovations, peer support, and changing views on addiction and mental health.
Description:
Neuropunk: Evolution of the Substance Use Recovery Revolution from the Steampunk Era to Today explores the radical transformation of both substance use and mental health recovery movements from their earliest foundations to the diverse, person-centered approaches of today. Starting with late 18th-century temperance societies, mutual aid groups, and early institutional models, we examine how shifting cultural and scientific perspectives have shaped recovery efforts. We'll highlight key turning points, including the rise of 12-step programs, peer-led advocacy, harm reduction movements, and merging of neuroscience into modern recovery frameworks. Through a steampunk-inspired lens, we uncover how discoveries in treatment and peer support have driven the evolution of both substance use and mental health recoveryreshaping both personal healing and societal perceptions of behavioral health.
Discover how TTRPGs foster self-expansion, boosting creativity, problem-solving, and emotional growth through immersive role-play, identity exploration, and collaborative storytelling/
Description:
Tabletop Role-Playing Games (TTRPGs) are more than just entertainmentthey are powerful tools for self-expansion, allowing players to explore new identities, develop problem-solving skills, and enhance emotional intelligence. Rooted in Self-Expansion Theory (Aron & Aron, 1996), this session examines how role-playing fosters creativity, social bonding, and real-world personal growth. Through immersive storytelling, players gain confidence, practice perspective-taking, and engage in meaningful collaborative experiences. We will also explore applications in education, therapy, and personal development, supported by research on role-playing games, including MMORPG studies. Join us to discuss how TTRPGs can be harnessed for transformation beyond the game table.