ORIGINS EVENT GRIDS ONLINE
You waited so patiently to see what Origins has in store for you for 2008 -- well, wait no longer!

You can download the event grids and see all of the Origins events for yourself! Check out the event grid files Excel files at www.originsgamefair.com. If the master file (4501 events!) is too big for you, that’s ok – we broke the master out by gaming genre. Enjoy!

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ORIGINS EVENT PRE-REGISTRATION OPENS MAY 15!
Get ready for the race! Event pre-registration for Origins 2008 opens on May 15 at noon Eastern Daylight Time (9:00 a.m. PDT).

To make your event purchases go quicker and easier that day, create an account on the www.originsgamefair.com site (use the Click to Create an Account link at the top of the page), then buy your show badge. By doing that, you’re all ready to buy events when they go on sale this Thursday.

We’ll see you at Origins!!

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IMPORTANT ORIGINS 2008 DEADLINES AND DATES
* Sunday, May 25th – Final deadline for GM badges, Vouchers, and Hotel requests
* Thursday, June 12th – Origins Event pre-registration ends

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GAMES TO TROOPS UPDATE
GAMA’s Navy contact confirms all 7 pallets of items in the recent Games To Troops shipment arrived at his location. He quickly turned them around, so they’re now on their way to the front. The games are expected to arrive in the field this week. Thanks again to all of the companies that donated to this Games To Troops shipment:
* R&R Games, Inc
* Edhellen Armoury
* Tangent Games
* Flying Buffalo Inc
* Amarillo Design Bureau, Inc
* Wizards of the Coast
* Looney Labs
* Synelix Games
* Columbia Games
* Decision Games

SEND YOUR WISHES TO “UNCLE” DUKE SEIFRIED
“Uncle” Duke Seifried, GAMA Hall of Famer, HMGS Legion or Honor and Scruby Awardee, underwent triple bypass open-heart surgery last week near his home in Wisconsin. His wife Annette reports that Duke came through the surgery in excellent condition and, aside from some pain, is recovering very well. He is now at home and undergoing rehab under Annette’s care.

Duke’s achievements in gaming community and industry are listed with his Biography under Special Guests on the Origins website: http://www.originsgamefair.com/2008/events/special-guests.  Updates on Duke will be posted as they are received on the ORIGINS website.

Duke is now home from the hospital and undergoing initial rehab under Annette’s care.  Cards, letters or flowers may be sent to:

Duke Seifried  c/o Annette
509 N. Wuthering Hills Dr.
Janesville, WI 53546.        

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DID YOU LOSE A BOOK AT GTS?
At the GAMA Trade Show, someone was collecting autographs in a copy of “Hobby Games: The 100 Best.” After getting Rick Loomis and Steve Jackson to sign it, the person misplaced the book. Someone ultimately found it and gave it to Rick Loomis for safekeeping.

He still has the book, and wants to get it to its owner. If this book is yours, please contact Rick at:
Rick Loomis
Flying Buffalo Inc
PO Box 1467, Scottsdale, AZ 85252
480-945-6917
fax 480-994-1170
www.flyingbuffalo.com

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BUILD YOUR BUSINESS WITH KNOWLEDGE AND CONNECTIONS!
Expand your network of professional retailers and game industry experts through GAMA’s forums: the Game Industry Network and the GAMA Retail Division forum, both on Delphi Forums.

* The GAME INDUSTRY NETWORK (GIN) hosts an industry-only discussion on all aspects of games, from creation through sales. Game professionals use the forum to discuss issues, make announcements, look for and give advice, and more.

To join the conversation, send your request to Anthony Gallela (ed@gama.org). Please include the following:
* your first and last name
* preferred email address
* for retailers: name, location, and your title of your store
* for other industry pros: name of your company and your title

* The GAMA RETAIL DIVISION FORUM gives GRD members a place to discuss GAMA-related topics (the organization itself, things that members want GAMA to do, and such) with fellow members and GAMA staff.

To join the GRD forum, please send your contact information to Trey Reilly (programs@gama.org).
 

John Kaufeld
GAMA Communications
pr@gama.org