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August 29 - September 1, 2019
Hyatt Regency Crystal City
2799 Jefferson Davis Hwy Arlington, VA 22202
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July 15, 2019: Year 10; Edition 14
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Hi, All ~
ONLY A MONTH AND A HALF BEFORE THE NOVA OPEN 10TH ANNIVERSARY!
Well, it's nearly upon us! The staff will be very hard at work over the next month and a half finishing up preparation for the convention, and then it's time for one epic, charitable celebration of a decade of tabletop gaming, fine arts, hobbying, building friendships, socializing, and making the world just a little better in the bargain.
Take a careful look at the newsletter contents below and make sure you don't miss some key updates that are important for you!
Also, if you see any activities or events for volunteers coming up (see the
Volunteer Saturdays article below), we can use all the help you can provide! There will also be opportunities to help us out with set-up and break-down at the convention proper.
We recently launched many offerings for our Charitable Foundation online raffles, including an epic army custom-designed by multi-time 40K GT Champion Tony Kopach and painted by an assembly of amazing painters from the NOCF Consortium. Check it out at
https://novaopenfoundation.org/.
Finally, we've made some refinements to our 40K GT / Invitational missions to make sure we keep with our trend of riding the cutting edge of mission design. Check the article below for more details.
See you in just a little while!
Mike Brandt, NOVA Open CEO
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2019 NOCF SUMMER RAFFLES - JULY 1
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NOCF 2019 Online Summer Raffles went live on July 1. The Artists’ Consortium – those renowned hobbyists who volunteer their time and energy to creating and painting bundles, armies, models and specials for NOCF – continues to grow, and the results of their dedication are evident in this summer’s thirty-three (33) raffles!
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ARRIVE EARLY & RELAX BEFORE CON
SIGN UP FOR A MASTERCLASS WORKSHOP
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SIGN UP FOR BASILISK'S 2-DAY WORKSHOP
LEARN TO SCHEME & FREEHAND YOUR ARMY
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David Mommel, aka "Basilisk," is teaching a 2-day hands-on workshop which focuses on YOU - the Tabletop Wargamer!
Learn to ramp up your armies with freehand painting. David is on top of this process and you can see his freehand work at “
Banshee Miniature Art Academy.” Class content will focus on how to choose and adapt a picture to create your own banner. His techniques and tricks will help you achieve phenomenal freehand by following the easy steps that will turn your banners into works of art! Models will be provided. Visit him at
The Chromatic Circle.
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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED PRE-CON. . . AT CON
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If you enjoy the NOVA Open and being a part of the charitable work of NOCF - and you have the time and energy to put into volunteering - please send us an email telling us you'd like to help:
customerservice@novaopen.com
We need help on Saturdays in August, convention support . . . and there are even a couple of areas where we offer a stipend for dedicated volunteers! See more in the Volunteer Saturdays Article below.
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MISSION REFINEMENTS FOR
WARHAMMER 40,000 GRAND TOURNAMENT
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The NOVA Open's 40K GT Team prides itself on riding the cutting edge of mission design for the past decade, both in terms of the feedback we get each year from attendees and the highly visible impact we've had on the community at large. Part of that enduring success is a deep commitment to never sticking with just "what is working alright," but always investigating ways to make our missions just a little stronger. This includes taking inspiration from elsewhere and creating our own innovations.
A major philosophy behind good mission design at the NOVA open is ensuring our games experience what we call "Scoring Tension," or a fine balance between the relative ease of scoring points when your opponent has a better army than you, and the difficulty of scoring points when you're playing that better army, to ensure the game "trends" toward a relatively narrow margin of victory. This ensures you don't gain the ability to "Camp" an early lead, while also feeling there's always a chance to climb back into it during that final "2-minute drill." Achieving the right balance creates an experience that makes the game feel just a little bit more about generalship and fun, and a little less about "aw man I'm getting demolished."
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JOIN US FOR THE FIRST KEYFORGE
GRAND CHAMPIONSHIP IN THE U.S.
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FFG recommended the sealed Triad for this championship and NOVA Open just stepped up to make it happen! This is a 3-deck game with great game play. Read more about it and . . .
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DUNGEONS & DRAGONS
Proceeds to NOCF
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Register today to enjoy this Epic Adventure, set in the famous Foundation Lounge, located in the rooftop venue of Hyatt Regency Crystal City! Players will have ready access to the Charity Bar and breathtaking views of the DC Skyline while joining dozens of fellow players in this Dungeons & Dragons special.
The event track can be seen in detail at the NOVA Open webstore (
http://novaopenstore.com/Home/EventContainer/46). Join us on Saturday, August 31, 2019, from 11am-3pm - comfortable late morning start times and wrap-up during the mid-afternoon. The $20 buy-in includes a $5 drink token that can be used in the Lounge during the event.
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WARMACHINE/HORDES SEATS ADDED
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WMH
"Through the Ages" Tournament Expands
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NOVA OPEN WARMACHINE ANNOUNCEMENT
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There are a lot of changes that happen to WARMACHINE and HORDES each summer, with new Champions ADR, a new steamroller format, and a ton of new releases. This year, there is an even greater change coming with the Oblivion Box set - revised rules for the entire system, including massive changes to theme forces, how they are constructed, and the endless possibilities within. We at the NOVA Open are in the unfortunate position of being between the pre-release of the rules and their changes becoming public, and the official release of their rule. This month or so span will be difficult for any convention during this time, as each would have to make their own decision about what is best for their convention, their players, and the enjoyment of the game.
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NOVA OPEN VENDOR - GENESYS GAMES
LAUNCHES NEW KICKSTARTER
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Anyone who has been fortunate to attend the past two NOVA Open events will remember a friendly gentleman with a table situated right next to the escalator on the vendor level. For two years Gary Krieger, or “Natfka” of
Faeit212 fame, has introduced players to the fantastic world of the
Genesys Project – a “fully customizable tabletop miniatures game where you create your own faction” at the NOVA Open. Now the project is moving to its next phase and preparing for a full-scale release!
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#HOWFARWOULDYOUGO?
We were hoping a few of our enterprising leads and attendees would pick up the challenge. We haven't seen any, yet. Feel free to be the First!
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IS YOUR FOOD TRUCK AT NOVA OPEN 2019?
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Food Trucks are already reaching out to NOVA Open for spots at our 2019 convention. We want to know which trucks YOU (OUR ATTENDEES) want to see again.
The following are planning to be at NOVA Open 2019:
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THE SCHEDULE IS FINALIZED!
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The 2019 NOVA Open schedule is posted. Make it a point to check the newsletter for additions/changes.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED REGISTRATION QUESTIONS
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Now that registration for NOVA Open 2019 is in full swing, many players are contacting Customer Service with questions. Read the FAQ
HERE.
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CONVENTION ACCESS PASSES (CAPS), DAY PASES & PREMIUM SWAG BAGS
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A Convention Access Pass (CAP) is required to attend the NOVA Open; it is good from Sunday-Sunday. Single day passes are also available if one does not wish to attend the entire convention.
Continue reading about passes online
HERE.
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RETURN TO THE NOVA OPEN ONLINE STORE
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This year's NOVA Open offers its largest schedule yet. Many events have sold out, but don't be alarmed. There are still many more things that you can fill your schedule with at NOVA Open 2019!
AVAILABLE:
- All FFG events are starting to fill; jump in before the wait lists begin.
- Games Workshop events still have space, including some in Blood Bowl, Underworlds, LotR and the Narrative.
- Infinity, WM/H, Guild Ball/God Tear, D&D, and Malifaux are all looking for more players.
CHECK OUT: Seminars - New Events - Expansion - More Updates!
Visit the online store
HERE.
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FOUNDATION LOUNGE / KEG NIGHTS
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When you attend NOVA Open, you quickly learn how to press the Penthouse button on the elevators. This little action will deliver you to a full-service bar with panoramic views of DC and the Potomac. More important, it will introduce you to the NOCF's Foundation Lounge where every drink benefits deserving charities!
NOVA Open has always been known as a Family Con, which may have started because Mike enlisted his mom, Laurie, to run it. The moniker is nowhere more apparent, though, than in the penthouse where Mike's aunt, Susan Perkins, manages the Foundation Lounge with his cousins and family friends.
Continue reading about the Foundation Lounge and Keg Night
HERE.
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PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THE LAST SATURDAY EVENT IN JULY: The terrain requirements are complete. NOVA Open thanks to everyone who was able to find time this year to help out with these projects!
The next event at Lorton is this upcoming Saturday and will focus on completing a few build projects and wrapping and labeling shelves that are ready for the move to Hyatt. With the support of a dozen volunteers, we should be able to complete these tasks early in the day.
JULY 20, 2019 - 9:00am - 3:00pm
NOVA Open Storage Facility
8935 Telegraph Road, Lorton, VA, 22079
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PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THE 2019 SWAG & PRIZE PACKING SATURDAYS: These events require dozens of volunteers to work through assembly line processes + labeling, organizing, and wrapping the loaded carts for their destination trip to Hyatt.
AUGUST 10 & AUGUST 17, 2019 - 9:00am - 5:00pm
NOVA Open Storage Facility
8935 Telegraph Road, Lorton, VA, 22079
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PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THE 2019 HYATT WALK-THRU SATURDAY:
If you're local and wish to volunteer at the convention this year, consider joining us at the Hyatt for a walk-thru which will provide an overview of space and needs.
AUGUST 24, 2019 - 9:00am - 12:00pm
HYATT REGENCY CRYSTAL CITY
2799 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA 22202
If you're local to the metro DC area, please plan to help at any one or all of these events. New friends will be made. If you haven't been receiving evites and wish to attend, write
customerservice@novaopen.com
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Book at Renaissance Today ~ Going Fast!
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NOVA Open Block is out of Doubles
Kings have been Added
We are working with other hotels to secure rates
The Renaissance Arlington Capital View Hotel
2800 South Potomac Avenue
Arlington, VA, 22202
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PRE-CON EVENTS
Sunday - Monday - Tuesday - Wednesday
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SUNDAY - TUESDAY EVENTS
WEDNESDAY EVENTS
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ARTISTS PREP YOUR BRUSHES!
SEVENTH ANNUAL CAPITAL PALETTE COMPETITION
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The NOVA Open convention invites hobbyists and artists to proudly display their work in Capital Palette, a juried, open-forum award, miniature art competition. The three Divisions - Apprentice, Journeyman and Masterclass - are each judged by their own 3-judge panel of world-renowned miniature artists (identified below). Those panels will award first place crystal awards across the Division's six Categories. Gold, silver, and bronze accomplishment medals are also awarded in a ceremony on Sunday at 2:00pm in the Foundation Lounge. Read more about the Capital Palette
HERE
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PREPARE FOR THE 2019 TABLETOP OLYMPICS
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The Tabletop Olympics (TTO), which started in 2014, is a free personal achievement and group competition where anyone who attends the NOVA Open can participate. Players accumulate personal "forever achievement points" and can also form groups of 3 to 20 people to compete against other groups. Points can be amassed individually and/or combined with other attendees if individuals band together for group points. In addition to tracking points for teams during NOVA Open 2019, we will also keep track of cumulative points for individuals that accumulate across NOVA Open conventions. Read more about TTO and see the
UPDATED scoring chart
HERE.
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HOBBY HAVEN SPONSORED BY THE ARMY PAINTER
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For years, hobbyist and painters have gathered in various places throughout the NOVA Open to paint their models, socialize with fellow hobbyists, and exchange techniques. In 2017, the NOVA Open introduced Hobby Haven, a large, general-use painting area with painting supplies, on the second floor of the Hyatt Regency. The area is intended to form a central, social hub, which provides opportunity for casual interaction and impromptu teaching of painting and artistic techniques. Read more about Hobby Haven
HERE.
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WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU LEMONS
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At the NOVA Open, we believe when life gives you lemons, you should make lemonade. Therefore, we run the annual Lemonade Raffle - where you can win for losing! In order to be eligible, you must have lost at least one of your tournament games. If you are not playing in a tournament, you are not eligible for the Lemonade Raffle. For every tournament round you lose, your event's Lead will enter your name into our raffle pool. This does not apply to non-tournament pickup games. For example, if you lose one (1) round, you will have one (1) entry in the Lemonade Raffle, if you lose five (5) rounds, you will have five (5) entries in the Lemonade Raffle, and so on. Tournament organizers for your specific game system/s will be responsible for entering your name into the raffle pool. Read more about the Lemonade Raffle
HERE.
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VENDORS AT NOVA OPEN 2019
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NOVA Open is excited to announce that the following vendors are locked in and will be there for you at NOVA Open 2019:
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Atlantis Games and Comics
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Warhammer Age of Sigmar Champions
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