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SaltCON

{{Short description|Board game convention}}

{{Infobox Convention

| name = SaltCON

| image =

| caption =

| status = Current

| genre = Boardgames/Roleplaying Games/Convention

| venue = Davis Conference Center

| location = Layton, Utah/Bryce Canyon, Utah

| country = United States

| first = 2009

| last = Current

| organizer = SaltCON UT LLC

| attendance = 2500

| website = http://saltcon.com/

}}

SaltCON is the largest{{cite web

|url=http://www.cardboardrepublic.com/articles/saltcon-a-small-convention-done-right

|title=SaltCon: A Small Convention Done Right

|date=2016-03-31

|author=Rob Cramer

|access-date=2016-07-28}} Board Game Convention{{cite web

|url=http://www.nowplayingutah.com/organization/saltcon-ut-llc/

|title=SaltCon UT, LLC

|access-date=2016-07-28}} and RPG Convention in Utah held annually in Layton{{cite web

|url=http://www.plaidhatgames.com/events/579

|title=PHG Event: Plaid Hat Games at SaltCon 2016!

|date=2016-02-07

|author=

|access-date=2016-07-28}} at the Davis Conference Center with the "aim of bringing people together with games."{{cite web

|url=http://fox13now.com/2015/03/13/saltcon-board-game-convention-brings-game-designers-and-players-together/

|title=SaltCON Board Game Convention brings game designers and players together

|author=

|date=14 March 2015

|access-date=2016-07-28}} The event is family friendly,{{cite web

|url=http://archive.sltrib.com/story.php?ref=%2Fsltrib%2Fnews%2F55832728-78%2Fgames-saltcon-game-lake.html.csp

|title=SaltCON board gamers not bored in Salt Lake City

|date=2013-02-16

|author=Scott D. Pierce

|access-date=2016-07-28}} and focuses on hobby{{cite web

|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jhlg2gyKSFQ

|title=QEE 3HG Panic Fire at Salt Con 2016 STANDALONE

|website=YouTube

|access-date=2016-07-28}} and designer{{cite web

|url=http://thediscriminatinggamer.com/taxonomy/term/593

|title=Salt Con

|date=2016-04-20

|author=Cody

|access-date=2016-07-28}} board games.{{cite web

|url=https://www.ksl.com/?sid=38779200

|title=SaltCON brings together Utah board game aficionados

|date=2016-03-05

|author=Alex Cabrero, xoel Cardenas

|access-date=2016-07-28}} Unlike many other conventions, the board game halls are open 24 hours{{cite web

|url=https://gravitydice.com/blogs/news/86845953-gravity-dice-to-visit-saltcon-2016

|title=Gravity Dice to visit SaltCon 2016

|date=2016-02-08

|author=James Kathrein

|access-date=2016-07-28}} for attendees to play all night long. The event continues to grow in popularity,{{cite web

|url=http://www.boardgamelinks.com/links/conventions/north_america

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329173900/http://www.boardgamelinks.com/links/conventions/north_america

|url-status=usurped

|archive-date=March 29, 2015

|title=Best Board Game Conventions in North America

|author=

|access-date=2016-07-28}} in large part due to its friendly atmosphere, and volunteer nature.{{cite web

|url=http://www.slugmag.com/festival-coverage/saltcon-2015-no-natural-predators/

|title=SALTCON 2015: NO NATURAL PREDATORS

|date=2015-03-16

|author=ANDREA SILVA

|access-date=2016-07-28}} The event had over 1100 attendees in 2016, and continues to grow every year.{{cite web

|url=http://meeplenation.com/gaming-life/meeple-nation-saltcon-2016/

|title=Meeple Nation at SaltCON 2016

|date=2016-03-19

|author=Ryan Decaria

|access-date=2016-07-28}} In 2019 they had over 1900 attendees, and in 2024 they surpassed 2500.

Events

SaltCON hosts the Ion Award{{cite web

|url=https://boardgamegeek.com/award/23302/ion-award

|title=Ion Award

|access-date=2016-07-28}} game design competition, the largest board game design competition in the United States. Each year Publishers are asked to judge the competition, based on specific criteria. Notes are collected from judges, tallied, and winners are announced in each category. Games that win the Ion Award are published by game companies every year.{{cite web

|url=http://www.dicetowernews.com/tag/saltcon

|title=SaltCon 2016 Ion Award Winners Announced

|date=2016-03-10

|author=

|access-date=2016-07-28}} Notable winners and finalists include Nika,{{cite web

|url=http://www.cardboardrepublic.com/spotlight-material/the-indie-convention-bump

|title=The Indie Convention Bump

|date=2014-06-10

|author=Ryan LaFlamme

|access-date=2016-07-28}} Gnome Hollow, Moon Bunny, Steam Up: A Feast of Dim Sum, and Super Truffle Pigs!

Along with the Ion Award competition there are other draws for game designers as well. There are events where game designers can show off their games that are still in development, such as a "Prototype Alley" where attendees are invited to meet the designers and try out these new games.{{cite web

|url=http://fox13now.com/2013/02/16/game-designers-players-gather-for-convention/

|title=Game designers, players gather for convention

|date=2013-02-16

|author=Mark Green

|access-date=2016-07-28}}

The events are not only for game designers. Attendees can find many other events to enjoy at the convention:

  • Board Game Library{{cite web

|url=http://saltlakecity.eventful.com/events/saltcon-2016-/E0-001-090416793-4

|title=SaltCON 2016 in Layton

|access-date=2016-07-28}} (over 2000 games)

  • Board Game Publisher Exhibitors{{cite web

|url=http://deeplydapper.squarespace.com/deeplydapper/2016/3/27/week-29-the-review-saltcon-and-daredevil-season-two-ep-one

|title=SaltCON - Daredevil S02E01

|author=Kristopher McClanahan

|access-date=2016-07-28}}

|url=http://www.slugmag.com/festival-coverage/saltcon-2015-game-swap-and-flea-market/

|title=SALTCON 2015: GAME SWAP AND FLEA MARKET

|date=2015-03-16

|author=NICOLE STEPHENSON

|access-date=2016-07-28}}

|url=http://www.slugmag.com/festival-coverage/saltcon-2015-the-dresden-files/

|title=SALTCON 2015: THE DRESDEN FILES

|date=2015-03-14

|author=NICOLE STEPHENSON

|access-date=2016-07-28}}

|url=http://www.slugmag.com/festival-coverage/saltcon-2015-figurine-painting/

|title=SALTCON 2015: FIGURINE PAINTING

|date=2015-03-14

|author=NICOLE STEPHENSON

|access-date=2016-07-28}}

|url=http://www.slugmag.com/festival-coverage/saltcon-2015-digital-art-panel/

|title=SALTCON 2015: DIGITAL ART PANEL

|date=2015-03-16

|author=NICOLE STEPHENSON

|access-date=2016-07-28}}{{cite web

|url=http://www.slugmag.com/festival-coverage/saltcon-2015-board-game-design-101/

|title=SALTCON 2015: BOARD GAME DESIGN 101

|date=2015-03-16

|author=NICOLE STEPHENSON

|access-date=2016-07-28}}

  • Artemis{{cite web

|url=https://artemis.forumchitchat.com/post/saltcon-layton-utah-mar-3-mar-5-2016-7843644

|title=SaltCON Layton Utah Mar 3 - Mar 5 2016

|date=2015-12-21

|author=anwoke8204

|access-date=2016-07-28}}

The event has also featured charities, such as the Extra Life{{cite web

|url=http://community.extra-life.org/forums/topic/3282-volunteers-for-saltcon-2016/

|title=Volunteers for SaltCON 2016

|date=2016-01-04

|author=kiersten, Development Officer, Primary Children’s Hospital

|access-date=2016-07-28}} organization.

Occasionally there are a few video games{{cite web

|url=http://eae.utah.edu/capstone-games-represent-at-saltcon/

|title=CAPSTONE GAMES REPRESENT AT SALTCON!

|date=2015-03-19

|author=HENRY GLASHEEN

|access-date=2016-07-28}} featured at the event.

History

The convention began in 2009, as a follow up to the Gathering of Strangers{{cite web

|url=http://www.slugmag.com/soundwaves/episode-32-2-13-12/

|title=FORM OF ROCKET, SALTCON, PALACE OF BUDDIES, SISTER DOTTIE S. DIXON

|author=JP

|date=13 February 2012

|access-date=2016-07-28}} board game days that were held at the University of Utah. The first few years were held also at the U of U campus Officer's Club,{{cite web

|url=http://www.cityweekly.net/TheDailyFeed/archives/2011/02/18/saltcon

|title=SaltCON

|date=2011-02-18

|author=Gavin Sheehan

|access-date=2016-07-28}} but as attendance grew, they moved to the Royal Garden Inn,{{cite web

|url=https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/699644/saltcon-salt-lake-city-utah-february-17-18-2012-bo

|title=SaltCON: Salt Lake City, Utah; February 17-18, 2012; (Board Game Convention)

|date=2011-09-15

|author=Steven Poelzing

|access-date=2016-07-28}} then to the Sheraton,{{cite web

|url=https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/849438/saltcon-2013-salt-lake-city-utah-feb-15-17-2013

|title=SaltCON 2013. Salt Lake City Utah. Feb 15-17, 2013

|date=2012-08-30

|author=Steven Poelzing

|access-date=2016-07-28}} and finally to the Davis Conference Center, where it has been held since 2014.{{cite web

|url=https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/1049050/saltcon-2014-layton-utah-march-28-29-and-30-2014

|title=SaltCON 2014 in Layton Utah, March 28, 29, and 30, 2014

|date=2013-10-04

|author=Dan

|access-date=2016-07-28}}

class="wikitable"
Year

!Dates

!Location

!Event

2009

|July 10–11

|University of Utah Officers Club{{cite web

|url=https://www.boardgamegeek.com/thread/406481/gathering-strangers-salt-lake-city-utah-july-10-11/page/1

|title=A Gathering of Strangers, Salt Lake City Utah, July 10 & 11 (Board Game Convention)

|date=2009-05-12

|author=Dale Gifford

|access-date=2016-07-28}}

|Main Event

2010

|February 26–28

|University of Utah Officers Club{{cite web

|url=https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/451278/saltcon-salt-lake-city-utah-february-26-28-2010-bo

|title=SaltCON, Salt Lake City Utah, February 26-28 2010 (Board Game Convention)

|date=2012-10-11

|author=Dale Gifford

|access-date=2016-07-28}}

|Main Event

2011

|February 18–19

|University of Utah Officers Club{{cite web

|url=https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/556902/saltcon-salt-lake-city-utah-february-18-19-2011-bo

|title=SaltCON: Salt Lake City, Utah; February 18-19, 2011; (Board Game Convention)

|date=2010-08-23

|author=Dale Gifford

|access-date=2016-07-28}}

|Main Event

2012

|February 17–18

|Royal Garden Inn

|Main Event

2013

|February 15–17

|Sheraton

|Main Event

2014

|March 28–30

|Davis Conference Center

|Main Event

2015

|March 12–14

|Davis Conference Center{{cite web

|url=https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/1308466/saltcon-boardgame-convention-layton-utah-march-12

|title=SaltCON Boardgame Convention in Layton Utah, March 12-14, 2015

|date=2015-01-25

|author=Dan

|access-date=2016-07-28}}

|Main Event

2016

|March 3–5

|Davis Conference Center{{cite web

|url=https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/1528886/saltcon-march-3-5-2016

|title=SaltCON - March 3-5 2016

|date=2016-02-19

|author=Dan

|access-date=2016-07-28}}

|Main Event

2017

|March 2–5

|Davis Conference Center

|Main Event

2018

|March 1–4

|Davis Conference Center

|Spring

2018

|August 31 - September 1

|Davis Conference Center

|End of Summer

2019

|February 28 - March 3

|Davis Conference Center

|Spring

2019

|May 31 - June 1

|Davis Conference Center

|Summer

2019

|August 30–31

|Davis Conference Center

|End of Summer

2020

|March 5–8

|Davis Conference Center

|Spring

2021

|July 30 - August 1

|Davis Conference Center

|End of Summer

2022

|January 14-16

|Ruby's Inn

|Bryce

2022

|March 3–6

|Davis Conference Center

|Spring

2022

|September 2-4

|Davis Conference Center

|End of Summer

2023

|January 13-15

|Ruby's Inn

|Bryce

2023

|March 2-5

|Davis Conference Center

|Spring

2023

|June 2-4

|Davis Conference Center

|Summer

2023

|September 1-3

|Davis Conference Center

|End of Summer

2024

|January 12-14

|Ruby's Inn

|Bryce

2024

|February 29 - March 3

|Davis Conference Center

|Spring

2024

|June 7-9

|Davis Conference Center

|Summer

2024

|August 30 - Sep 1

|Davis Conference Center

|End of Summer

2025

|January 17-19

|Davis Conference Center

|Bryce

2025

|January 24-26

|Davis Conference Center

|Bryce Twice

2025

|February 27 - March 2

|Davis Conference Center

|Spring

2025

|June 6-8

|Davis Conference Center

|Summer

2025

|August 29-31

|Davis Conference Center

|End of Summer

Support for Other Events

SaltCON supports other events and conventions all over Utah. They provide their game library, volunteers, and game teachers to many other events.

Events that SaltCON has supported:

|url=http://www.sltrib.com/home/2781309-155/salt-lake-gaming-con-kicks-off

|title=Salt Lake Gaming Con kicks off inaugural event

|date=2015-09-02

|author=Michael McFall

|access-date=2016-07-28}}

  • BryceCON
  • STGCON{{cite web

|url=http://wethenerdy.com/board-game-convention-preview-stgcon/

|title=Board Game Convention Preview: STGCON

|date=2015-07-23

|author=Crystal Pisano

|access-date=2016-07-28}}

  • ICON
  • International Games Day @ your Library{{cite web

|url=https://www.ksl.com/index.php?sid=37389992&nid=481

|title=6 great board games for kids

|date=2015-11-18

|author=Carrie Rogers-Whitehead

|access-date=2016-07-28}}

|url=http://geekandsundry.com/table-top-day/

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315054520/http://geekandsundry.com/table-top-day/

|url-status=dead

|archive-date=March 15, 2016

|title=Tabletop Day

|access-date=2016-07-28}}

  • Salt Lake Quarterly Game Day

References

{{reflist}}

Category:Utah culture

Category:2009 establishments in Utah