Wellycon - the biggest, fun, friendly board game convention

Wellycon, New Zealand’s biggest, fun, friendliest annual board game convention, is back for its 12th year! This Queen’s Birthday weekend, 1-2 June 2019, over 1000 board gamers of all ages will be welcomed to the Indian Sports and Cultural Centre in Kilbirnie for a weekend full of games, friendship, and fun. Attendees will get secret identities and have the opportunity to act as spymasters in honour of the popular board game ‘Codenames’ by designer Vlaada Chvátil and publisher Czech Games Edition.

“This year’s theme is all about spies and secret clues. The popular game Codenames won several prizes, including the prestigious Spiel des Jahres (game of the year) award in 2016 and was therefore a great choice as a theme for Wellycon,” says Christoph Martens, Wellycon committee member. “Not only are we using the games’ graphics thanks to the publisher, but we also have a continuous Codenames game running all day long.”

Ceedee Doyle, chair of Wellycon, explains, “We love our board game community and are excited to see it has outgrown our previous venue. Wellycon is all about meeting new people, playing great board games, and learning something new.” Doyle adds, “This year we have implemented new highlights alongside the venue change, including an expanded games library as the centre of the convention and never-played-before international game releases. Our attendees’ feedback is what drives us, so we listened and made it happen.”

“We already know that our Play-to-Win section is a major draw card for coming to the event,” reports Rob Digby, committee member. “People can try out a game and have the chance to win and take it home. Thanks to additional sponsors, we have even more games to add to the collection. Games at Wellycon meet all your board-gaming needs from quick and easy to complex and strategic games. Those new to board gaming will enjoy the learn-to-play area.”

Doors open at 10am on both Saturday and Sunday, 1-2 June 2019. Early-bird discounts are currently available at www.wellycon.org.nz. An all-day family pass can be purchased for only $44 (up to 2 adults, children free). Saturday showcases a mega-game for up to 40 people and Sunday features a family session from 10am-2pm. A single adult pass is $22 a day or a weekend pass comes to only $40.

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