Yeah. I'm looking to find my way to My First Con.

Probably the only way I'll be able to play Shadowrun tabletop anytime soon.

Hence, because there are seemingly no RPG cons in the State of New Jersey, ever, I ask:

What about the tristate/NYC metro area?

Are there any that people know of that are decent (and decently well-attended)?

Unfortunately, there are really only two big conventions left in New Jersey, Dreamation and Dexcon, which are mid-winter and mid-summer respectively and neither has had a Shadowrun presence of note. Fortunately, just over the Connecticutt border in Stamford is Anonycon (generally in early December). While there isn't a massive convention presence in the state any more, New Jersey soundly retains the perk of being close to lots of places where stuff is going on. Long Island's got a few decent Sci Fi conventions, and there are a few smaller conventions in eastern and central PA. RPI up in Troy, NY also hosts Genericon every winter.

Also, if you're willing to go a bit farther, there are quite a few

Total Confusion (www.totalcon.com) in Mansfield, Ma (Late Feb)
(which I will personally be at, AND running Shadowrun Missions every day but Sunday)

TempleCon (http://www.templecon.org/10/) in Providence, RI (Early Feb)
(I don't go because it's the same month as TotalCon, but another CGL Commando, Ledeir, runs things there).

The rest I don't know about SR presence, but it doesn't hurt to look.

ConnCon (http://www.conncon.com/) also in Stamford, CT. (Late March)
Carnage (http://www.carnagecon.com/) Fairlee, VT (early November)
Council of 5 Nations (http://www.swa-gaming.org/council) Schenectady, NY (early October)
Havoc (http://havoc.battlegroupboston.org/) Shrewsbury, MA (late March)
Open Gaming Convention (http://www.ogc-con.com/) Nashua, NH (July)
Northeast Wars (http://www.northeastwars.com/) Essex, VT (April)

Hope that helps.

Mark

Havoc is a great miniatures con, but not something I'd recommend for someone looking for RPGs. Their presence is at best minimal, often nonexistent.

Also there is a group trying to set up a con in Maryland (Rockville area - about 2 hrs south of Philly, adjacent to the Twinbrook Metro stop) in February on Valentine's Day weekend that hopes to have some sessions of SR Missions going.

I can't remember the website off the top of my head, but it's called SynDCon. I'll post the link later when I get home...it's being organized by the Syndicate which is the DC-area living campaign game day organizers. Currently focused on LFR, but they're expanding, including SRM.

Jeff.

P.S. - i think the website is just www.syndcon.net.