Volunteer – Gary Con

Gary Con Volunteering

Thank you for considering helping out at our grand gaming convention! Gary Con is a major undertaking that requires many hands to function and run smoothly. It takes a special kind of person to selflessly bring joy to their fellow gaming enthusiasts and we are grateful for our volunteers and their dedication to Gary Con!

We use the Tabletop.Events (TTE) volunteer interface to allow badge-holders to sign-up for volunteer shifts—having a badge is prerequisite to volunteering. If you are interested in joining our volunteer crew, please contact us at [email protected] for more detailed information.

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! The rewards list is cumulative for each benchmark reached:

Work 4 hours: Gary Con badge wallet, Gary Con iron-on patch, drink cup, 10% discount coupon for the Gary Con merch booth.
Work 6 hours: GM Lounge access.
Work 8 hours: Gary Con volunteer water bottle, Gary Con volunteer pin, 20% discount coupon for the Gary Con merch booth, “Dead Dog” after-party access.
Work 12 hours: Gary Con hoodie.
Work 16 hours: Full set of polyhedral dice, Silver Badge comp code for their badge the following year (GC XVIII in 2026).
Full Convention Volunteering: Shift meal compensation (from the Gary Con Menu).

PLEASE NOTE: The rewards list is subject to change based on item availability.

Want to 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.

Volunteer Roles:

These are the core volunteer roles available, but there may be more and/or different roles available. All volunteers are expected 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 >

Volunteer Recruits

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

There are many shifts to choose from and you can sign up on TTE under the “Volunteer” drop-down. See the walk-through below for instructions on how to sign up!

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.

Volunteer Walk-Through

Step 1 >
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Step 3 >
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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].
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Step 8 >

*For GCXVII, the Volunteer Portal on TTE opened on Monday, February 3, 2025 at 12:00pm (noon) Central Time.

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