About GAMA

Introduction

GAMA was formed in 1977 to protect the interests of the Origins Game Fair. It incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1982. Since then, it has expanded to become the premier trade association for the hobby games industry. Its mission is to promote the general interest of all persons engaged in the buying, selling, licensing, and manufacturing of hobby game products. To that end, GAMA provides member affinity programs such as handbooks, trade and consumer shows, and education programs.

The core of GAMA's mission is to advance the hobby games industry. We work to make doing business in this industry better and easier for all professionals. We execute this mission in a number of ways.

See information about some of our Full Voting Members below.

Shows

GAMA runs two shows, the GAMA Trade Show (GTS) in Las Vegas, NV and the Origins Game Fair in Columbus OH.

GTS brings together publishers, distributors, and retailers, offering them education on how they can run their businesses better and improving communications between each of the three tiers of our industry. GTS is seen by retailers and distributors as the place to find new products for their stores and learn about important new releases from game publishers. Publishers and distributors use the show to find new business customers for their products.

Origins Game Fair is a consumer show. Here, game players from across the U.S. and beyond come to play their favorite games, meet game designers, and buy the newest releases from publishers. Origins is the ultimate direct-to-consumer marketing experience for game publishers.

Trade Advancement Programs

GAMA has a number of programs designed to advance hobby games as a business. Our Games in Education program strives to teach educators how they can use games in their curricula. Our retailer mentoring program is aimed at helping new game stores become successful businesses. Our Industry Watch Committee helps stores and publishers deal with negative press about games. In all we do, we endeavor to strengthen the business of publishing and selling games.

Additional information is available on the Community Resources page.

Member Affinity Programs

GAMA offers benefits designed to help our members such as advertising discounts and booth rebates at our shows. More information is available on the Membership page.

GAMA has been serving the hobby games industry for nearly 30 years. We envision a world where hobby games are a broadly pursued pastime and where all engaged in the business of selling them can do so profitably and comfortably.