Game Designers & Merchants
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.
GEOTL welcomes merchants, creators, artists, publishers, and tabletop game designers who wish to share their creations with our growing community.
We are grateful for the generosity and support that help make this possible each year.
Game Designers & Merchants – Complimentary Vendor Space Includes Admission for Two
Vendor partnership includes a raffle donation and a $25 contribution to help support the event.
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 may be requested.
Merchant Sector – Indoor (Vendor Hall)
⦁ Located below the chapel.
⦁ Electric available free to use.
⦁ Positioned nearest the external door; kitchenette, gaming and craft tables, and LARP Tavern in back of room.
⦁ Indoor Space – 10′ x 10′
Merchant Sector – Outdoor
⦁ Located on the lawn running parallel to the road in two rows.
⦁ Outdoor Space – 12′ deep x any length with approval.
⦁ Electric must be rented (we’ll run extension cords).
Tabletop Game Designer Space
⦁ Located in the Castle (Main Lodge Dining Hall), the primary tabletop gaming area. Space availability is very limited.
⦁ Space provided is approximately 6 ft deep × 10 ft wide (parallel to the aisle).
⦁ Tables and chairs are not provided unless reserved during registration.
⦁ Setup Requirements: Space may be arranged in whatever manner best suits your needs. However, your setup must ensure that the public walking aisle and player chair area begin exactly 6 ft from the wall. For reference, a standard 8 ft × 30 in table placed parallel to the aisle provides approximately 3½ ft of vendor space between the table and the wall/window.
⦁ Quick Aisle Test: Push a standard 6 ft table against the wall. The public aisle and player chair space begin immediately beyond the front edge of the table. Player chairs may be placed in front of the table for demonstrations or gameplay.
⦁ Example Layouts:
(1) One 8 ft table parallel to the aisle with a 2 ft access opening.
(2) Two 6 ft tables arranged in an L-shape, creating an 8 ft display area parallel to the aisle with a 2 ft access opening.
Note: Not all spaces can accommodate the L-shaped configuration and must be approved in advance.
Overflow & Inclement Weather Space
⦁ Additional indoor space may be utilized when needed.
⦁ Available for weather-related concerns or overflow capacity.
Not Included: Tent, tables, and chairs (available to rent if planned ahead). Electricity – Outdoor sites and some Main Hall locations do not have electricity unless rented; extension cords will be run. 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.
Tabletop Game Designer & Merchant Vendor 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.
Convention Booklet Opportunities
Full color, 8 ½ x 5 ½
- Full Page (5”W x 8”H or full bleed 5.625W x 8.75H) – $200
- 1/2 Page (5”W x 3.875”H or 2.375”W x 8”H) – $100
- 1/4 Page (2.375”W x 3.875”H or 5”W x 1.75”H) – $50
- Small Logo or Business Name – Under $50
- Back Cover (5”W x 8”H or full bleed) – Exclusive $500
- Center Spread (2 full pages, full bleed) – Exclusive $600
- PNG or JPG preferred
- Minimum 300 DPI at final print size
- Final Deadline: August 5th (earlier submissions are greatly appreciated)
For more information or to be included in the GEOTL convention booklet, please contact GEOTL@GreatEscapeAdventures.net.
Do I Qualify for a 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.
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.