While I can't make it this year, I have a couple blurbs to share.
While my first Gen Con (2007, I think) I went alone...it was a bit lonely...surrounded by gamers but not a consistent group to hang out with and chat. That changed the following year. On the Tuesday right before Gen Con, I went to the back room at The RAM and randomly sat down with a group of people. We participated in an ice breaker game, and we all formed a friendship and Gen Con group (Team Special...it ties back to the ice breaker...anyway...) A couple people were brothers from The Netherlands and we've since visited each other outside of Gen Con. Others I still keep in touch with off and on. Just great people. We lost one of our founding members just two weeks ago. I attended his funeral; he'll be very missed. Anyway, just want to bring down the thread.
A story more in spirit of this thread: Around Gen Con 2010 I went to play D&D in the upstairs ballroom. They had these 1 hour long sessions...like 2 combats and 1 roleplay encounter. The line was CRAZY long. I went to their HQ station as asked if they could use an extra DM, figuring that I'd rather DM a game than stand in line. They gave me a shirt, a few minutes to prep, and I was off. I had a blast. I ended up DMing for them the following year for most of the con. Fun times.
Something else I miss about past Gen Cons is bringing my daughter, who would walk up and down the dealer hall rows with me arm-in-arm. I know it's not an event or celebrity, but man...I loved having my daughter to myself for 4-5 days. Something about us flying out to Indy and attending the con just made it special. We could geek out and bond. She's just busy with school and life and it's harder have those moments. Hopefully next year (Gen Con 2023) before she heads off to university.
Anyway, great topic for a thread.