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History of the Convention
Established in 1977, CanGames is Canada’s longest-running gaming convention. Each year, hundreds of game enthusiasts meet in the Ottawa area over the course of a weekend for fun and friendly competition. They play board games, collectible card games, miniatures games, and role-playing games.
The format of the convention has varied over the years, although the core activities of RPGs, miniature games and board games have featured each year. The convention was originally conceived, organized, and continues to be run by a committee of volunteers.
In the early years the show included seminars and featured guests from the gaming industry, including such as Frank Chadwick of GDW, Jim Dunnigan of SPI, Gary Gygax of TSR and John Hill of Avalon Hill. Canadian game designer Steve Newberg of Simulations Canada was a frequent guest. Early shows also featured film showings and auctions. CanGames was reported on by Dragon magazine in 1979 and 1980 and by local Ottawa newspapers.
The event has been running at the Rideau Curling Club since 2001; however it took place in a variety of venues in the past including:
- Palais des Congrès, Hull in 2000
- The Congress Centre from 1996 to 1999
- Chateau Laurier Hotel in 1995
- Citadel / Skyline Hotel in from 1991 to 1994
- Carleton University in 1990
- Congress Centre in 1989
- Carleton University from 1981 to 1988
- University of Ottawa from 1979 to 1980
- Holiday Inn Dalhousie in 1978
- National Archives in 1979
The Corporation
CanGames is a registered not-for-profit corporation run by a team of volunteers. The organization is broken down into three components.
The not-for-profit corporation itself has a number of voting members who attend the annual general meetings and vote on important matters. These individuals have generally volunteered for the convention in the past or currently do so.
The Board of Directors is the group of persons legally responsible for managing the corporation’s policies, budget, and making other important decisions for the continued success of the convention over the years. The Board of Directors includes 7-9 individuals who have been appointed by members of the corporation.
The Committee is the operational wing of the convention, consisting of the various volunteers who plan, organize, and administer the event for any given year. These are the people who can answer your questions and generally assist attendees for any given event. The current committee members for 2025 are:
- Bernard H: Comptroller
- Chris E: Finance
- Dave O: Publications & Playtesting Hall
- Emily G: Art
- Jason P: RPG Coordinator & Events System
- Jeff B: Vendors & Marketplace Coordinator
- Jillian S: Social Media & Marketing
- Kevin F: Volunteer Coordinator
- Noral R: Committee Chair & Board Games Coordinator
- Rita A: Legal, Internal Organizer
- Shelagh C: Registration & Swag
- Todd C: Miniatures Coordinator & Facebook