Volunteer – Gary Con

Gary Con is a major undertaking that requires many hands to function and we need volunteers to keep Gary Con running smoothly.

If you are interested in joining our volunteer crew, please contact us at [email protected] for more detailed information. Additionally, we use the Tabletop.Events (TTE) volunteer interface to allow our volunteers to sign-up for the various volunteer shifts.

Who is a GC volunteer?

An excellent person who is willing to dedicate their personal time to help Gary Con grow into the grand gaming convention we enjoy. It takes a special kind of person to bring joy to their fellow gaming enthusiasts—and we are grateful for them and their assistance.

So you want to be a volunteer?

You will be assigned to different areas and given important tasks. As you interact with the thousands of attendees that flock to this iconic gathering, you will be an essential part of the team that makes their adventures memorable.

What roles are available to volunteers:

Please note this is our basic list of some of the volunteer roles available, but there may be more and/or different roles as we approach the convention. We expect all volunteers in any role will be able to conduct themselves with appropriate behavior and social etiquette.

Registration >
Anyone working for registration, including: badge clerk, badge runners, and line managers. The positions may be further simplified if needed. The following details specific roles at Registration:

Badge Clerk – Will need to utilize a computer and check-in interface to scan QR codes for attendees and check them in digitally. These volunteers will also work with Badge Runners to provide both badge and pre-purchased items for attendees. Additionally, this person may need to be able to make sales.

Badge Runner – Works with the Badge Clerks by collecting and assembling badges and pre-purchased swag packages for attendees as they are called out.

Line Manager – Makes sure the line is orderly and continues moving appropriately. These volunteers are also responsible for directing people to open Badge Clerk pickup stations as they become available.
Merchant >
Anyone working at any of our Gary Con merch booths must be dependable and trustworthy. These volunteers will be working at our booths and collecting orders may need to work our registers at either our Forum merch booth, or the one my Registration if it is up.

Merch Clerk – Will be required to use a tablet and/or register to process merchandise transactions. Must be able to accurately and quickly count and handle money. Will work with Merch Runners to complete customer transactions.

Merch Runner – Will collect merchandise for attendees making purchases at the Gary Con Merch Booth. Should be able to collect orders for customers and will work with Merch Clerks to complete customer transactions.
Forum Guard >
Setup and Teardown >

These volunteers will assist in setting up everything at the open and/or breaking down everything at the close of the convention. This may also include shifts during the convention for resetting rooms for various events. Volunteers should be able to follow directions independently and/or work together as a team.
GM Lounge >

These volunteers will be able to sit and relax in the GM lounge while making sure snacks are stocked and the GM printer(s) are accessible and functional. They will need to answer questions, collect premium snack tickets, and resupply the courtesy GM snacks as needed.*

*We usually have a dedicated volunteer for this role during the entirety of the convention, but will assign other volunteers to this area as is appropriate for meals and breaks.
Runner/Utility >

We will reward you…

We appreciate you so much for taking the time to help everyone have a great experience, that we have some special perks! Please note that they are cumulative for each benchmark reached:

- Work 4 hours:
  - - Yet to be determined for 2025, but coming soon!

- Work 8 hours:
  - - Yet to be determined for 2025, but coming soon!

- Work 16 hours or more:
  - - Yet to be determined for 2025, but coming soon!

- Full Convention Volunteering:
  - - Yet to be determined for 2025, but coming soon!

Are you ready to put on your game face and live a life well played?

Volunteer Recruits

We want you to volunteer to be part of the GC Team!

Just as GMs are the backbone of the con, volunteers are the lifeblood that keeps the celebration going smoothly. Gary Con cannot happen without help.

There are many shifts to choose from and you can sign up on TTE—the same place you sign up for events. See below for instructions on how to sign up – it’s easy.

How to sign up to volunteer:

Please note this is populated in December/January prior to the show. SO it may not be ready until that time. Check your email and social media for announcements. *For GCXVII, the Volunteer Portal on TTE is scheduled to open on Monday, February 3, 2025 at 12:00pm (noon) Central Time.

The following is a walk-through guide to help you become a volunteer.

Step 1 >

Go to the GC TTE site.

Make sure you sign-in with the TTE account associated with your Gary Con Badge. You cannot sign-up for volunteer shifts unless you are a badge holding attendee.
Step 2 >

Click on “Volunteers” under the logo.
Step 3 >

Select “Available Shifts” from the drop down.
Step 4 >

Apply to Volunteer. Once you are on the Volunteers page you have to submit an application to be a volunteer by clicking on the tab at the very bottom of the page.
Step 5 >

Enter or Review your personal information- and please add a good cell number to contact you. Then click Choose Shifts.
Step 6 >

Select your shifts. You can sort by day and room to help narrow your selections. Remember we need people for set-up as early as Tuesday. When you find a shift you want click the Green Volunteer button. PLEASE BE CAREFUL. Once you click it you are signed up for that shift. There is not an easy way to delete a shift you signed up for. If you make a mistake and need it changed, you will need to email [email protected].
Step 7 >

Once you have clicked on the Green Volunteer Button for ALL the shifts you want- click Submit My Application at the bottom of the page to lock in those volunteer shifts and put them on your schedule.
Step 8 >

Review your Volunteer Shifts and make sure they are all correct. If you have any issues you can message GC Staff using the “message Manager” function or reach out by email to [email protected].

Thank you for considering joining the team of people who bring so much enjoyment to everyone celebrating at Gary Con.