Merchants, Creators, Game Designers, & Sponsors
Great Escape on the Lakes (GEOTL) is a community-focused board game convention and geek adventure camp held in New York’s Finger Lakes region.
GEOTL combines tabletop gaming, workshops, game design, outdoor adventure, and shared experiences in a multi-day event that brings together families, gamers, creators, and adventurers from across the U.S. and Canada.
Sponsorships and donations help support programming, accessibility, volunteers, and continued growth for the event and community.
We are grateful for the generosity and support that help make this possible each year.
Merchants, Creators, and Game Designers - Vendor Space and Admission for Two are Complimentary
GEOTL welcomes merchants, creators, artists, publishers, and tabletop game designers who wish to share their creations with our growing community.
We invite a raffle donation and a $25 contribution to help support event operations.
Included:
+ Two complimentary full-event admissions, valid Wed–Sun ($100 value). May arrive Tuesday for setup.
Children 9 and under are free for vendors. Additional admissions, beyond the two complimentary ones, are $50/event, $15-20/day, and $5 Sunday.
+ An indoor or outdoor space, approx. 12 ft x 12 ft.
— Inside space – Electric available free to use: The Merchant Sector (Vendor Hall) is located below the chapel. Merchant vendors will be positioned closest to the exit door to the lawn. At the end of the hall nearest the kitchenette is the LARP Tavern and tables for gaming.
–– Inside space – Tabletop Game Designers may request the Main Lodge Dining Hall (primary tabletop gaming area) – for an 8’ table while space permits.
— Inside spaces for overflow – due to the nature of this facilty there are some inside spaces that can be utilized as overflow or in the case of inclement weather.
— Outside space: Vendors may set up on the outside lawn in front of the main lodge straight out from the entrances to the vendor hall parallel to the road. Merchant vendors will be arranged in two lines with a 15 – 20 ft lane between them.
Not Included: Tent, tables, and chairs (available to rent if planned ahead); Outdoor sites do not have electricity. Lodging and meals are optional and must be purchased separately.
Merchant Core Hours: 10am–12pm and 2pm–4pm.
Merchants are welcome to remain open beyond these times; however, we ask that booths be staffed during these core hours at a minimum.
Merchant Vendor & Tabletop Game Designer Approval: Please click the button below to register your desire to be a vendor. Then email GEOTL@GreatEscapeAdventures.net with pictures of your setup (or a description if this is your first time), a list of your wares (we try to avoid overlapping with others as much as possible), and why you believe Great Escape on the Lakes is a good fit for you.
Note: If you are not approved as a vendor, you will be fully refunded.
Examples of merchant products we actively seek each year include:
Experiential creators — products or activities created on the spot that draw people into a memorable experience. Examples include not-yet-published tabletop games, playtesters wanted, blacksmithing, pottery making, crafting demonstrations, and other hands-on creative moments that spark curiosity for anyone walking by.
Handcrafted items, examples include woodwork, pottery, leatherworking, blacksmithing, metalworking, jewelry, candle making, soap making, and walking sticks
LARP items and garb
Homemade treats and baked goods
Specialty coffees and teas
Adventure and fantasy-themed items, such as Dragons and other imaginative creations
Creative curiosities
Artistic items born of imagination
This is just a short example list to help convey the culture and atmosphere we aim to create at GEOTL
Please note that as merchant spaces fill, applications may not be approved simply due to overlap within a given category for that year. If that happens, we encourage you to apply again the following year.
Marketing / Convention Booklet Announcements
If you would like to market yourself or announce games in our full color 8 1/2″ x 5 1/2″ convention booklet, please reach out to GEOTL@GreatEscapeAdventures.net
Do I Qualify for Complimentary Vendor Space and Admission for two?
Complimentary vendor space is generally intended for merchants, creators, artists, publishers, and designers offering products, merchandise, or published works for sale to attendees.
Playtesting, prototypes, and early-stage projects are welcome at GEOTL, but do not typically qualify for complimentary vendor space on their own. Exceptions may be considered for individuals with a full vendor setup, active fundraising efforts, Kickstarter campaigns, and clear plans for publication within the near future.
At a minimum, approved vendors and creators are expected to actively engage with attendees and provide demonstrations during core merchant hours.
If you believe your project would be a good fit for GEOTL, please reach out to GEOTL@GreatEscapeAdventures.net.
About Great Escape on the Lakes
- Tabletop Gaming is at the heart of the event, with our main hall being fully dedicated to tabletop games, and multiple other rooms set aside for RPG’s, and other immersive games, such as Blood on the Clocktower!
- Tabletop Game Design – GEOTL encourages creativity and collaboration through playtesting, workshops, panels, and opportunities for aspiring designers to share ideas and connect with others in the hobby.
- LARP (Live Action Roleplay) – We are building the Kingdom of Dragonia year after year through an ongoing medieval fantasy world where dragons are both friend and foe. Players immerse themselves theatrically, acting out quests and adventures while helping shape the story as it grows over time. While the quests and events change from year to year, the world itself remains consistent, allowing players to create or procure outfits, garb, accessories, tents, and equipment that can continue to be used for years to come.
- Community & Adventure – Beyond gaming, GEOTL blends creativity, outdoor activities, collaborative experiences, and community-driven programming into a unique retreat-style atmosphere designed to bring people together.
What to know before you apply to sell at GEOTL
“Is GEOTL a good fit for what you are looking for?”
Attendance the past two years has been about 250. With our move to a larger space and adding marketing, our goal now is to grow to 500.
Many of our attendees return year after year.
GEOTL is typically very laid back in terms of vendor traffic. It is not a fast-paced convention scene — attendees may be participating in activities around the retreat, such as a nature hike.
This is a five-day immersive event with something for every age and member of the family Vendors who offer something for a wide range of people seem to do better than those with a very niche focus.
We do see fresh faces each day, however the majority of attendees stay for most or all of the event. Saturday is our highest-attended day.
I have asked several merchants and game designers why they return each year. Two different merchants shared that they first attended as guests and later became merchants, and both were happy with sales.
Two different game designers have told me they are committed to helping build GEOTL, even though their sales are often low. I remain both amazed and humbled that they continue to return each year.
One game designer, sales also typically on the lower side, shared that they choose to help each year because we need it, and they have observed and appreciated that people feel cared about and valued.
So, some merchants do well year over year, and they are happy, while for others it is hit or miss. Game designers have shared that sales do well at first, and then sales drop in future years if no new game.
Sponsorship & Community Support Opportunities
Great Escape on the Lake
"The Most Adventurous Experience Ever"
The Community Board Game Network is a New York nonprofit corporation dedicated to community building, education, creativity, mentorship, leadership development, and interactive learning through tabletop gaming, workshops, game design, and adventure-based experiences.
IRS 501(c)(3) determination is currently pending.