Just wanted to drop some info.... over this last week, we climbed to vaccinating right about 2.5mil people a day. 
At this pace alone we will hit 300m with at least one shot by June 14th. 
 

I just read an article that said that the CDC indicated that only 22% of the population has been vaccinated.  Also, the drop in new cases has leveled off.

Look for a surge two weeks after St Pats.  After that?

“Obviously a grocery store can require a mask due to public health. But there is difference in a place open to the public, which a grocery store is, and gencon, which is not open to the public and requires a badge license to enter.”

Just a FYI, a badge is not required to enter the convention center so it is pretty much a public area until try to enter a room, the vendor hall, or gaming area.

Great news !

The CDC says fully vaccinated people CAN gather indoors without masks.

Given this I cannot see how vaccinated people cannot attend Gencon. If Gencon does require proof of vaccination then this event can go on just like in previous years with no other restrictions.

The following recommendations apply to non-healthcare settings.Fully vaccinated people can:

• Visit with other fully vaccinated people indoors without wearing masks or physical distancing
  
• Visit with unvaccinated people from a single household who are at low risk for severe COVID-19 disease indoors without wearing masks or physical distancing
  
• Refrain from quarantine and testing following a known exposure if asymptomatic
  

https://amp-cnn-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/amp.cnn.com/cnn/2021/03/08/health/covid-19-vaccine-cdc-guidelines-fully-vaccinated/index.html?amp_js_v=a6&amp_gsa=1&usqp=mq331AQHKAFQArABIA%3D%3D#aoh=16152275115588&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&amp_tf=From%20%251%24s&ampshare=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2021%2F03%2F08%2Fhealth%2Fcovid-19-vaccine-cdc-guidelines-fully-vaccinated%2Findex.html
 

If this holds. Gencon will now have to choose. Have a vaccination requirement with no social distancing (but maybe still masks) or no requirement but social distancing, masks. Temperature checks, etc. Assuming that is allowed.

I'm guessing the ultimate recommendation will be to allow conventions with vaccination proof. It's too difficult to have attendance limits and distancing because it reduces profit and increases expenses.

While the CDC guidelines are certainly important and may guide what happens locally we should reiterate that...

"At the very least we will be complying with all guidelines that are covered in the jurisdiction of the place we are holding the convention. The state, city, and ICC health standards that are in place to run the show. There really isn't a discussion on this point as it is mandatory for the show to happen."

Mike

But if Gencon has a choice between 45000 fully vacciated attendees with perhaps masks, or a socially distanced con with 25% of that, then the finances are clear. One option is financially viable. One likely isnt.

But clearly the odds of Gencon happening have gotten better.

I think Gencon should stick to the minimum restrictions required by the government and the venue.  I was at a trade show at the state fairgrounds in Indy a week ago and there were social distancing, face mask, and temperature check requirements there.  Distancing forced a move to a larger than normal building and the aisles were at least 20 ft wide.  Face masks were required at the door but they can't police people when they're inside.

All attendees agree to comply with the attendance policies of the ICC. Otherwise they shouldn't go. Or they should lose their badge privileges by refusing to comply.

That's what I see as being the deal breaker.  Someone is going to disregard the rules, and when asked to follow them will become belligerent. That could end up as a lawsuit.

I am mask compliant, and have attended GenCon twice in the past.  However, the sad thing is that all someone would have to do is start sipping some water as someone approaches them about wearing a mask, and say they're drinking/eating, and there isn't anything that GenCon can do about it :(

I have heard of this on planes, and I haven't been to a restaurant since 3/14/2020 (not that it's some contest on how long I can hold out; it's just not something I feel comfortable with and I'm in phase 3 of vaccinations), but from what I hear is that people come in, order, take their masks off, and on restaurants or on planes they just have water or a drink/snack nearby to skirt around having to wear a mask.  Even walking in the convention hall, all someone would have to do is have a bottled water nearby, not to give anyone ideas; this is being anecdotally heard by me from various people who have started venturing out.

I think GenCon is in a real hard place this year, but I wish them well, and I wish the attendees well.  I'll be attending the digital one each year whereas in the past, I went twice, but it's not something I do every years as there are sightseeing destinations that I mix in (GenCon is an occasional destination for me).  Since they plan on having the digital one from now on, I plan on attending that every year when I don't go to physical GenCon so actually, I will be attending in spirit every year if not physical.