Board Game Convention Sponsorship | Prize Support | Card Sleeves | Mayday Games
Running a board game convention is a labor of love. Whether your event welcomes 100 attendees or 20,000, organizers invest countless hours creating an unforgettable experience for their gaming community. From managing volunteers and scheduling events to maintaining a game library and finding sponsors, every detail matters.
At Mayday Games, we've been attending and supporting tabletop gaming conventions for well over a decade. We understand the challenges organizers face because we've exhibited at major conventions, worked with local gaming groups, partnered with nonprofit organizations, and helped hundreds of events across North America improve their attendee experience.
If you're organizing a board game convention, game day, charity fundraiser, university gaming event, or local tabletop gathering, we'd love to help.
Why Work With Mayday Games?
Our goal isn't simply to sell products—we want to help gaming communities thrive.
We offer convention organizers access to discounted products, prize support opportunities, affiliate fundraising programs, and practical solutions that make running a successful event easier.
Whether you're looking to protect your game library, reward volunteers, build better VIG bags, or create fundraising opportunities for your organization, we're happy to discuss options that fit your event and budget.
Card Sleeves for Convention Libraries
One of the largest ongoing expenses for many conventions is replacing worn-out games.
Popular games may be played dozens—or even hundreds—of times over a convention weekend. Cards become bent, marked, dirty, or damaged, reducing the quality of the gaming experience and often requiring expensive replacement copies.
Quality card sleeves dramatically extend the life of board games by protecting cards from:
- Dirt and oils from players' hands
- Bent corners
- Surface scratches
- Spills
- Marked cards
- General wear from repeated shuffling
Many convention organizers find that sleeving heavily-played games saves money over time by significantly reducing replacement costs.
Our extensive line of Mayday Games and Sleeve Kings card sleeves covers thousands of board games, making it easy to protect everything from party games to large strategy titles.
If your convention maintains a lending library, we'd be happy to discuss discounted pricing for library sleeving projects.
Why Sleeve Your Convention Library?
A convention library represents a significant investment.
Many libraries contain hundreds or even thousands of games accumulated over many years through purchases and donations. Protecting that investment benefits both organizers and attendees. Learn more about how and why you should protect your convention library in our recent blog post here.
- Sleeved games typically provide:
- Longer usable life
- Better appearance
- Faster shuffling
- Easier cleanup
- More consistent gameplay
- Higher resale value if games are eventually retired
Attendees also appreciate knowing that library games are well maintained.
Convention Prize Support
One of the highlights of many conventions is prize giveaways.
Door prizes, tournament prizes, charity auctions, volunteer appreciation gifts, and raffle tables all help create excitement throughout the weekend.
Depending on availability and the nature of your event, Mayday Games may be able to assist with:
- Board game prizes
- Card sleeve prize packs
- Promotional items
- Convention-exclusive bundles
- Discount opportunities
- Special convention pricing
Because demand varies throughout the year, we encourage organizers to contact us well in advance of their event.
Volunteer Appreciation
Every successful convention depends on volunteers.
Registration staff, game teachers, event coordinators, library volunteers, logistics teams, and setup crews donate countless hours to create great experiences for attendees.
Many organizers choose to thank volunteers with useful gaming accessories such as:
- Card sleeves
- Deck boxes
- Box Bands
- Game accessories
- Discount coupons
- Gift certificates
These practical gifts are appreciated long after the convention ends.
VIP (VIG) and Premium Attendee Gifts
Many conventions offer VIP or Very Important Gamer (VIG) packages that include exclusive merchandise and premium swag.
Gaming accessories make excellent additions because they're useful for nearly every tabletop gamer.
Popular VIG items include:
- Ultimate Board Game Night Bags ($150 Value!)
- Premium sleeve packs
- Box Bands
- Game accessories
- Convention-exclusive bundles
- Limited edition items
We're happy to discuss ideas that fit your event and budget.
Box Bands for Game Libraries
Keeping convention libraries organized is an ongoing challenge.
Game boxes often open during transport, pieces spill out, and worn box lids can become damaged after years of use.
Our reusable Box Bands help keep game boxes securely closed while protecting the original packaging.
Many conventions use Box Bands to:
- Secure library games
- Protect donated games
- Simplify transportation
- Reduce damaged boxes
- Improve storage
Because they're reusable, Box Bands quickly become a valuable organizational tool for convention libraries.
Affiliate Fundraising Program
Looking for an easy way to raise money for your convention?
Our affiliate program allows conventions and gaming organizations to earn revenue when attendees purchase products through your custom referral link.
This can be a great option for:
- Nonprofit conventions
- Gaming clubs
- University organizations
- Charity events
- Community game groups
We'll provide everything needed to get started, including tracking links and promotional materials.
It's a simple way to generate additional income while helping attendees find products they'll actually use.
Supporting Local Gaming Communities
Not every event is a massive convention.
Some of our favorite partnerships are with smaller community events that bring local gamers together.
We enjoy supporting:
- Local board game conventions
- University gaming clubs
- Charity gaming events
- Library game days
- Retail game store conventions
- Community gaming weekends
- Family game festivals
- Educational gaming events
If your event promotes tabletop gaming, we'd love to hear about it.
Why Organizers Choose Mayday Games
Organizers work with us because we understand the tabletop hobby.
We aren't simply an accessory company—we're gamers ourselves.
Our team has spent years attending conventions, exhibiting in dealer halls, teaching games, working with publishers, and talking directly with thousands of players.
That experience helps us recommend products that actually solve problems convention organizers encounter every year.
Products We Can Help With
Our convention support frequently includes products such as:
- Premium card sleeves
- Sleeve Kings card sleeves
- Mayday Games card sleeves
- Box Bands
- Board game accessories
- Promotional giveaways
- Prize support
- Volunteer gifts
- VIG merchandise
- Retail discount opportunities
If you're looking for something specific, just ask. We're always happy to discuss custom ideas.
Planning Ahead
Convention planning starts months before attendees arrive.
To give us the best opportunity to help, we recommend contacting us as early as possible.
Early planning allows time to:
- Discuss sponsorship opportunities
- Reserve inventory
- Coordinate custom bundles
- Arrange wholesale pricing
- Prepare promotional materials
- Ship products well before your event
Last-minute requests may still be possible, but advance notice gives everyone the greatest flexibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you sponsor board game conventions?
We regularly work with tabletop gaming conventions in a variety of ways. Every event is different, so sponsorship opportunities depend on the size, timing, and needs of your convention.
Do you offer discounts for convention libraries?
Yes. If you're sleeving a large game library or purchasing accessories for convention use, we'd be happy to discuss available pricing options.
Can you provide prize support?
Depending on inventory and scheduling, we may be able to assist with games, accessories, promotional items, or discounted products for raffles and tournaments.
How early should we contact you?
The earlier, the better. Several months before your convention is ideal, especially if you're interested in custom bundles or larger orders.
Can nonprofit organizations participate?
Absolutely. We regularly work with nonprofit organizations, gaming clubs, libraries, schools, and community groups.
What types of events do you support?
We've worked with large regional conventions, local gaming conventions, charity fundraisers, university clubs, board game cafés, retail stores, and many community gaming events.
Let's Build a Great Convention Together
Every successful convention helps grow the tabletop gaming hobby.
Whether you're hosting your very first local game day or organizing one of the largest gaming conventions in the country, we're always excited to work with passionate organizers who are building stronger gaming communities.
If you'd like to discuss convention pricing, sponsorship opportunities, prize support, affiliate fundraising, card sleeves, Box Bands, or other products, we'd love to hear from you.
Contact our team today, tell us about your event, and let's explore how Mayday Games can help make your next convention even more successful. Please email directly to Brigit@maydaygames.com and she can discuss your needs!