The last big board game convention of the year kicks off on Friday as Pax Unplugged returns to the Philadelphia Convention Center – and will feature its regular swathe of hundreds of panels, performances and tournaments in addition to the massed ranks of exhibitor booths.

BoardGameWire has rounded up some of the most interesting-looking sessions for tabletop game industry professionals from across the three days, ranging from how to grow your own evergreen title to getting your start as a tabletop gaming artist.

Friday, November 21

Secrets of the Tabletop Industry
11:00am – 12:00pm, Kelpie Theatre
Asmodee director of sourcing – and the designer of the Fellowship of the Ring: Trick-Taking Game – Bryan Bornmueller shares his advice from decades of experience about how desginers can best navigate the often fragmented and confusing tabletop industry, as well as what publishers are looking for and tips on pitching, prototyping and promotion.

Art for a Living
6:00pm – 7:00pm, RPG – Hedron (Rm 109B)
Rick Heinz from Geek & Sundry and Storytellers Forge gives his practical guide for writers and artists about how to start working in tabletop gaming – and get paid to do it.

Unpub’s Pro-Am Game Jam (Workshop)
6:00pm – 7:30pm, Crab God Theatre
Non-profit playtesting and mentorship organisation Unpub’s latest game jam event will see board game industry pros lead teams of attendees to make a game, playtest it and present it, with all the teams given the same random set of restrictions.

Saturday, November 22

Growing an Evergreen
3:30pm – 4.30pm, Kelpie Theatre
A heavyweight panel including Azul publisher Jean-Francois Gagne, Endeavor: Deep Sea publisher Helaine Cappel, Brass Birmingham publisher Gavan Brown share their expertise on creating games that will return to store shelves year after year. Moderated by Finspan co-designer David Gordon, who recently co-launched new tabletop publisher Uncommons Publishing.

Sunday, November 23

Charisma Check! – Keys to Successful Networking in the Games Industry
11:00am – 12:00pm, Mothman Theatre
Publishers, brand managers and digital creators including Ginny Di share their tips on navigating professional and social interactions with grace and flair, in order to forge better networking relationships within the tabletop industry.

Taking the Spotlight: A Roundtable for Marginalized Creators in Games
3:30pm – 4:30pm, Mothman Theatre
BIPOC queer, disabled and other historically sidelined voices share what it means to exist, play and work in the tabletop games industry today – and discuss what needs to change structurally, culturally, interpersonally to make diversity more than a feel-good, look-good checkbox exercise.

Better Boothing: Making the Most of Your First Con Table
4:00pm – 5:00pm, Kelpie Theatre
A string of experienced convention vendors provide practical advice and tips for both new and experienced seller on how to get the most out of their convention booth. From stock numbers and signage to sales pitches and generating buzz.

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