GAMA hunts for tabletop gaming’s best brick-and-mortar stores in latest Power Retail Awards
Board game trade organisation GAMA is looking to celebrate outstanding tabletop gaming retailers again through its fifth annual Power Retail Awards.
Nominations are open until January 12, with the best overall brick-and-mortar game stores or cafe in line for a $1,000 prize, a year of GAMA membership and access to the trade body’s resources and networking opportunities.
In addition to the Retailer of the Year gong, GAMA is also offering $500 each to the winners of three other categories: Innovation in Games Retail, Outstanding Contribution to the Games Industry (Retail) and Outstanding Store Design.
Nominations can be made by customers, publishers, business partners, suppliers and retailers themselves, with submissions accepted through the nomination form available here.
Nominees must be brick-and-mortar retailers that have been in regular operation for at least one full year, although prior winners are not eligible for any categories in which they have previously triumphed.
Illinois-based Red Raccoon Games was named retailer of the year in the 2024 awards, which were handed out at the GAMA Expo trade show in March this year.
Arizona-based Silver Dragon Games is the current holder of both the Innovation In Games (Retail) and Outstanding Store Design awards, while Wisconsin’s The GameBoard was the last winner of Outstanding Contribution to Games Industry.
GAMA executive director John Stacy said, “Brick-and-mortar game stores are the cornerstone of the tabletop gaming industry, providing spaces where players connect, discover new games, and build lifelong memories.
“Through the Power Retail Awards, GAMA is proud to recognize the retailers whose dedication and innovation continue to shape our industry.”
GAMA, which aims to promote the growth and success of the tabletop gaming industry, currently has about 1,700 member companies in 30 countries – the majority of which are based in the US.
Next year’s GAMA Expo is being held between February 23 to 27 – a week earlier than usual, after a huge growth in attendance this year left the trade body facing a shortfall in space across its regular booked dates.
GAMA said 2024’s event was its largest to date, with attendance up 37% to more than 2,700, and the number of exhibitors jumping 50% to 300.
The date shift to February 23 to 27 also means Gama EXPO avoids a clash with the New York Toy Fair, which is being held from March 1 to 4 next year after shifting its own dates from October.
