Welcome to the heart of GameCon Expo Chicago, where passion for gaming meets innovation and community.
About GameCon Expo
The Story Behind The Midwest's Premier Gaming Event
Welcome to the heart of GameCon Expo Chicago, where passion for gaming meets innovation and community.
GameCon Expo began in 2019 as a modest gathering of 500 gaming enthusiasts in a small Chicago community center. Founded by lifelong gamers Jennifer Hayes and Marcus Rodriguez, the original event—named "Windy City Gaming"—featured just 15 indie developers and a handful of retro gaming stations.
What set our event apart from the beginning was our commitment to celebrating both gaming's rich history and its innovative future, while building genuine connections between players and creators. This vision resonated deeply with the Midwest gaming community, and by our second year, attendance had tripled.
In 2021, we rebranded as GameCon Expo and moved to our current home at McCormick Place. Despite the challenges of the global pandemic, we pioneered a hybrid format that combined safe in-person experiences with virtual participation options. This innovative approach earned us the "Most Adaptable Gaming Event" award from Digital Entertainment Review.
Each subsequent year has seen exponential growth, with our most recent event welcoming over 50,000 attendees from 30+ countries and featuring 300+ exhibitors ranging from indie studios to major publishers. Today, GameCon Expo stands as the Midwest's largest and most diverse gaming convention, known for our community-first approach and our commitment to showcasing the full spectrum of gaming culture.
As we look to the future, our goal remains the same as that first gathering: to create an inclusive space where all gamers can connect, discover, and celebrate the art form we love.
To create the most inclusive, innovative, and inspiring gaming event in the Midwest that connects players, developers, and industry professionals while advancing the cultural significance of interactive entertainment.
Creating a welcoming environment for gamers of all backgrounds, abilities, and experience levels.
Showcasing cutting-edge technology and groundbreaking ideas that push the boundaries of interactive entertainment.
Fostering meaningful connections between players, developers, and industry professionals.
Providing opportunities for learning and skill development for aspiring game creators and industry professionals.
Implementing environmentally responsible practices in all aspects of our event operations.
The passionate individuals behind GameCon Expo
Co-Founder & Executive Director
With 20 years of experience in event management and a lifelong passion for gaming, Jennifer oversees the strategic direction and overall execution of GameCon Expo. Her background includes senior positions at major tech conferences and a stint as marketing director for a leading game publisher. Jennifer's vision of creating a truly inclusive gaming space drives GameCon's community-first approach.
Co-Founder & Technical Director
A former game developer with credits on several AAA titles, Marcus leads the technical aspects of GameCon, ensuring flawless execution of gaming stations, tournaments, and interactive experiences. His technical expertise and industry connections have been instrumental in bringing cutting-edge gaming technologies to the expo floor, creating memorable hands-on experiences for attendees.
Director of Community & Partnerships
Bringing her background in community management for major gaming platforms, Aisha builds and maintains GameCon's relationships with exhibitors, sponsors, and community groups. Her innovative partnership programs have created unique opportunities for indie developers and educational institutions to showcase their work alongside industry giants, embodying GameCon's commitment to diversity in gaming.
Director of Educational Programming
With a Ph.D. in Game Design and a decade teaching at leading universities, Dr. Zhang curates GameCon's extensive workshop program and academic panels. His expertise bridges the gap between industry and education, creating valuable learning opportunities for students, educators, and industry professionals alike. Under his guidance, GameCon has become known for its substantive educational content alongside entertainment experiences.
Launched as "Windy City Gaming" with 500 attendees and 15 exhibitors.
Recognized by the Chicago Business Association for rapid community building.
Moved to McCormick Place and pioneered hybrid event format during pandemic.
Recognized by Digital Entertainment Review for our adaptive event technologies.
Doubled attendance and expanded to 150,000 square feet of exhibition space.
Awarded for our Accessible Gaming Initiative and scholarship programs.
Surpassed 50,000 attendees with participation from 30+ countries.
"GameCon Expo stands apart from other conventions by truly prioritizing developers of all sizes. As an indie studio, we've showcased our games at dozens of events, but GameCon's thoughtful exhibition design and engaged attendees have consistently delivered the most valuable feedback and connections. Their commitment to creating a level playing field where indies and major studios can thrive side by side is refreshing and genuine."
Founder, Quantum Frog Studios
"As both an educator and researcher in game development, I've found GameCon's educational programming to be exceptionally thoughtful and substantive. The workshops offer genuine skill building for students, while the academic panels tackle meaningful questions about gaming's future. Unlike many conventions that treat education as an afterthought, GameCon integrates learning seamlessly with entertainment, creating a uniquely valuable experience for students and faculty alike."
Chair, Interactive Media Department, Columbia College Chicago
"What impresses me most about GameCon is their unwavering commitment to accessibility. From their thoughtful venue layout and quiet spaces to their partnership with adaptive gaming organizations, they've created an event where gamers of all abilities can fully participate. Their willingness to continuously improve based on community feedback sets a standard that other conventions should follow. GameCon proves that inclusive design benefits everyone in the gaming ecosystem."
Director, Games For All Foundation
Experience the future of gaming at the Midwest's premier gaming event
Whether you're an avid gamer, industry professional, developer, or just curious about the world of interactive entertainment, GameCon Expo offers something special for you. Join us for three days of innovation, competition, education, and community!