PlayOnCon.com

About Us

Fandom…Friends…Family…Freedom.

What Is Play On Con?
The LEAGUE OF FANDOM AND GAMING (LFG) proudly presents PLAY ON CON (POC), an affordable 4-day science fiction & fantasy fandom convention dedicated to delivering outstanding customer service and building a real sense of community with gaming, entertainment, parties, and related events year-round.

Let’s Break it Down For You.
We, POC’s senior directors, have been involved in Southern fandom for many, many years, and we believe it’s time to get back to our roots. At the core level, great cons are about freedom: freedom to think, freedom to do, and freedom to be. We don’t believe such freedom is found in panel discussions or at celebrity autograph tables. We believe it comes from being in an environment built for satisfaction, free from boring waits at Registration and mob rule at the elevators. We believe it comes from being surrounded by people who can truly understand one another, who can leave their real-world chores behind for a while to come out and play. And whether you find your freedom in a game, at a show, at a party, or in the pool; when you’re at our con…we say Play On!

So it’s a Relaxacon?
Not at all! We spend months and months each year planning for a full programming track, a sizable dealers room, and a fair sampling of celebrity guests. We just prefer to keep the spotlight on the things that bring us all together, and equality is an essential part of the con’s theme. So you might play a game or drink a beer with that guy who wrote that thing you like…or you might attend the workshop where he’ll write something with you…but you will not stand in line waiting for his autograph!

When Is It?
POC 3 was held July 8-11, 2010, and POC 4 will be held at a similar time in 2011. Exact dates are coming soon!

Where Is It?
We chose Birmingham, AL because it’s a veritable hub for Southeast fandom, and it remains relatively unexplored. We have friends in cities all across the southeast, and we wanted to host POC somewhere everyone could reach. The highway access from all sides and the bargain airfare make Birmingham a sensible central point; and the city itself, with its Roman God towering above, offers an open and inviting atmosphere to congoers all-around. Click here for our host hotel.

What Is There to Do?
While we appreciate the appeal of a huge convention that caters to every possible genre of fandom, we believe we’ll deliver more fun and Southern hospitality at our smaller, more focused event. After all, there are only 24 hours in a day and you can be in just one place at a time, even at a con! Here’s a quick look at what we’ll be presenting.

GamingWe’ll have a wide range of game tournaments, a library of games for open play, and a variety of popular video games. We’ll also have dedicated space and staff to keep our “Gaming Widows” (or “Gaming Widowers”) amused while their significant others are neck-deep in hardcore gaming! If you come in looking for a good game to play, Andrew and his staff will give you personal attention and do everything practical to help you find one—24 hours a day.
If your inner ogre says, “CRUSH!” to the seductive call of sleep…we say Play On!

EntertainmentRather than herding our customers like cattle in order to showcase untouchable guests, we prefer to focus on audience participation…game shows, team trivia, live-action storytelling, workshops, and a Guest of Honor chosen directly from the fandom community. Our entertainment lineup will center on turning the spotlight back onto the fans, and if you know Wes, you know he’s one of Southern Fandom’s most acclaimed show pros.
If your inner performer says, “Come on down!” to fabulous prizes…we say Play On!

PartiesThis is one of the biggest advantages smaller cons like ours have over their larger counterparts. How can anyone possibly pour drinks for 20,000+ “unique individuals” shuffled through a hotel room?! At Play On Con, we’ll have a crowd where everybody knows your name, and you’ll see an interesting new take on Party Battles. We’re actively recruiting all the award-winning hosts we’ve befriended during our decades in fandom, and we’re bringing back old school party-hopping, big time! No closed doors, no velvet ropes…just the old-fashioned hospitality Southern Fandom is known for. And in the Party corner, wearing the Trunks of Questionable Origin: Dan!
If your inner physician says, “This won’t hurt a bit” to administering shots…we say Play On!

CommunityWhen you become a POC member by registering, you get far more than a pass to a single-weekend event. After every planning meeting we have, we’ll follow-up with a members-only appreciation party. We’ll also let you know when POC will be at another con, and we’ll try to get together while we’re there. And whenever we have a closed-door room party at a really big con, we’ll let you know about that, too.
So…are you ready to say Play On!?