Latest news with #Hoppe
Indianapolis Star
30-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Indianapolis Star
Gen Con Indy 2025 is this week. What to know about the four biggest days of gaming
More than 70,000 people will converge on downtown Indianapolis this week for Gen Con, the largest and longest-running tabletop gaming convention in North America. That's a lot of people navigating Indy's ongoing construction projects, especially when you consider the Indiana State Fair starts right around the same time. If you're a local Indy resident, or from out of state dressed as a spiky haired anime character, here's what to know about Gen Con: scoring tickets, where to park and what to do if you (shudder) lose your coveted badge. Gen Con takes place at the Indiana Convention Center from July 31 to Aug. 3, 2025. Gen Con is a four-day event catering to enthusiasts of all things gaming (minus sports and gambling): tabletop and RPG's (Role-Playing Games) as well as video, computer and trading card games. If the game involves throwing dice while pretending to be an elven ranger or a moody rogue with a tragic backstory, this is your place. Story continues after photo gallery. The Gen Con exhibit hall hours will be open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. Oh wow, a LOT. Gen Con drew in a record-breaking sold-out crowd of more than 71,000 attendees in 2024, according to a news release. That's roughly the equivalent of Muncie, Indiana's total population (along with 6,000 of their pets), spending nearly a week in Circle City. Upwards of 70,000 people could once again attend Gen Con in 2025 for another record-breaking turnout. Four-day and single-day passes for Friday and Saturday have already sold out. Story continues after photo gallery. "We are absolutely thrilled to see record-breaking turnout, a loaded Exhibit Hall, and nearly 30,000 exciting events for our attendees in 2025,' said David Hoppe, President of Gen Con in a news release. 'This incredible growth reflects the enthusiasm and increasing interest in the tabletop gaming community, and we are delighted to welcome thousands of attendees to celebrate our shared love for games," Hoppe said. Given Gen Con's popularity, attendees might want to figure out where to park long before reaching the convention center. iPark is Gen Con's official parking partner, according to the convention organizers. Attendees can buy parking spaces online adjacent to Lucas Oil Stadium. There also are more than a dozen other parking facilities within walking distance of Gen Con, including the Capitol Commons Garage and Marriott Garage along West Maryland Street. The Downtown Indy website has a Park Whiz map that shows the cost of parking when you enter the date and time. You can see rates for Indianapolis parking at or download the Park Whiz app on your smart phone or mobile device. There's lots to see and do at Gen Con, so make sure you pack a comfortable pair of shoes if you plan on attending this year's convention. Featured events and exhibits include game tournaments, a film festival, hundreds of exhibit booths, thousands of scheduled programs, a costume and cosplay contest, an art show, geek merch and more events than you can shake a lightsaber at. Organizers say 2025's convention will feature 565 exhibit hall booths, a life-size 10,000 square foot "True Dungeon" in Lucas Oil Stadium, one of the country's largest sci-fi and fantasy art shows, a block party with food trucks on South Street, books with "Authors' Avenue," seminars, panels, and Q&As with industry and media celebrities. You'll need to hurry if you want to attend Gen Con this year. As of Tuesday morning, only Thursday and Sunday passes remain. No walk-up badge sales will be available, according to a news release. All sales must be completed online at This year, Gen Con badges cost the following: Attendees participating in the convention's more than 30,000 scheduled ticketed events can score those online at the convention's official website. Some events are free. Gen Con attendees are strongly encouraged to check the availability of each event to ensure they're not fully booked or sold out. For starters, don't. Gen Con cannot replace or refund lost, stolen, or forgotten badges or ticketed events per its terms of service. That means if your badge disappears, you have to buy a new one (assuming they're still available) at full cost. Yes! You can watch streamed online content both on the Gen Con Twitch channel and through Discord. Story continues after photo gallery. The biggest four days in gaming takes place at the Indiana Convention Center, at 100 S. Capitol Ave., in downtown Indianapolis. Gen Con moved from Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Indianapolis in 2003. The popular convention has been held in Circle City ever since, and that doesn't look like it will change anytime soon. In 2023, Gen Con renewed its contract with Indianapolis through 2030. What does the "Gen" in "Gen Con" mean? Generation Convention? Generic? Generousness? Genuflect? Actually, the answer lies in Wisconsin of all places. Gen Con was founded in 1968 by Dungeons & Dragons co-creator Gary Gygax who met with friends to play games in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, according to event organizers. Thus the name Gen (Geneva) Con (Convention) was adopted: Gen Con.
Los Angeles Times
21-07-2025
- Business
- Los Angeles Times
Chris Hoppe Named Executive Vice President of AIM Sports Group
Seal Beach-headquartered AIM Sports Group, a sports enterprise focused on enhancing youth sports through leagues, sport facility management, national events, media and technology, has named Chris Hoppe as its executive vice president, responsible for strategic leadership, overseeing operations, and spearheading initiatives to positively impact AIM's growth and strategic direction. With more than 20 years of sports leadership experience, including most recently serving as deputy athletic director at the University of Pittsburgh (Pitt), Hoppe brings to AIM a history of success in revenue generation, strategic planning, sport administration, multi-media rights, sports science, athletic performance, NIL programming and student-athlete development. Over an eight-year period, Hoppe played a leading role in Pitt's ascent to become a multi-sport contender for conference and national championships. The era yielded Pitt records for ACC Championships and Final Four appearances, corporate sponsorship and fundraising revenue, student-athlete academic achievements and service to the community. Prior to Pitt, he served in sports leadership positions at Eastern Michigan University, Robert Morris University, San Diego State University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. 'We're excited to welcome Chris to the AIM organization,' said AIM Sports Group founder and CEO John Gallegos. 'His unique skillset as a future-forward builder of programs designed to support the next generation of athletes makes him an ideal fit with our team as AIM continues to innovate the youth athletics space with venues, leagues, tournaments, and our forthcoming AIM+ tech & media platform. His experience working with college athletics programs will also be a great asset as we work together to elevate the youth sports experience.' 'It is truly rewarding to become a part of the AIM Sports Group team,' commented Hoppe. 'This organization has already established itself as a national leader in elite volleyball and youth sports. In the coming years, AIM events, experiences and technology will redefine the ecosystem that supports these young athletes, their families and coaches. I am grateful to John Gallegos and the current AIM leadership team for setting a bold strategic vision, and I look forward to helping establish AIM as the gold standard in next-generation youth performance and innovation.' Information sourced from AIM Sports. Learn more by contacting pwilliams@
Business Wire
16-07-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
AIM Sports Group Names Chris Hoppe Executive Vice President
SEAL BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AIM Sports Group, a leading sports enterprise focused on enhancing youth sports through innovative leagues, sport facility management, national events, media and technology, has named Chris Hoppe its Executive Vice President, responsible for strategic leadership, overseeing operations, and spearheading initiatives to positively impact AIM's growth and strategic direction. With more than 20 years of sports leadership experience, including most recently serving as Deputy Athletic Director at the University of Pittsburgh (Pitt), Hoppe brings to AIM a rich history of success in revenue generation; strategic planning; sport administration; multi-media rights; sports science; athletic performance; NIL programming; and student-athlete development. Over an eight-year period, Hoppe played a dynamic leading role in Pitt's ascent to become a multi-sport contender for conference and national championships. The era yielded Pitt records for ACC Championships and Final Four appearances, corporate sponsorship and fundraising revenue, student-athlete academic achievements and service to the community. Prior to Pitt, he served in sports leadership positions at Eastern Michigan University; Robert Morris University; San Diego State University; and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. 'We're excited to welcome Chris to the AIM organization,' said AIM Sports Group Founder and CEO John Gallegos. 'His unique skillset as a future-forward builder of programs designed to support the next generation of athletes makes him an ideal fit with our team as AIM continues to innovate the youth athletics space with venues, leagues, tournaments, and our forthcoming AIM+ tech & media platform. His experience working with college athletics programs will also be a great asset as we work together to elevate the youth sports experience.' 'It is truly rewarding to become a part of the AIM Sports Group team,' commented Hoppe. 'This organization has already established itself as a national leader in elite volleyball and youth sports. In the coming years, AIM events, experiences and technology will redefine the ecosystem that supports these young athletes, their families and coaches. I am grateful to John Gallegos and the current AIM leadership team for setting a bold strategic vision, and I look forward to helping establish AIM as the gold standard in next generation youth performance and innovation.' AIM Sports Group is a premier sports enterprise that owns and operates a state-of-the-art sports event and training facility, premier youth boys volleyball league, regional tournaments, national events, and tech platforms. AIM is focused on enhancing the journey of youth athletes through innovation and elite competition in sports. Learn more at
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Yahoo
Welsh dad killed with a vodka bottle on a stag do in Prague
A man has been jailed for seven years after killing an "amazing" Welsh dad in the Czech Republic. Joel Hoppe, a 27-year-old German, was sentenced this week at a Prague court after being convicted of grievous bodily harm (GBH) resulting in the death of David 'Dai' Richards, a 31-year-old father-of-three from Mountain Ash in Rhondda Cynon Taf. Mr Richards was in the centre of Prague for a stag do on September 21 last year when he and his friends came into contact with another group of tourists. Czech Police spokesman Jan Daněk said: "At first, everything was calm and the tourists were chatting normally. "Then there was a rift between them and one of them hit the other in the head with a vodka bottle. The blow was so strong that the injured person immediately fell to the ground and unfortunately died in hospital." READ MORE: 'I can't babe I'm sorry', dying man's last words to partner at scene of fatal crash READ MORE: Man who died weighing eight stone was 'too weak' to be operated on by the time he reached hospital ward Czech news outlet Odkryto reports that Hoppe pleaded guilty to the fatal GBH and disorderly conduct, admitting he acted in a fit of rage and under the influence of alcohol and drugs. Don't miss a court report by signing up to our crime newsletter here 'Not a day goes by that I don't think about the late David and his children,' he reportedly told the court. 'I will accept whatever sentence you give me.' Speaking about several of Richards' relatives who attended the sentencing, Hoppe said: "It breaks my heart to see these people here today." The state prosecutor suggested a sentence of at least eight years in prison and expulsion from the Czech Republic for 10 years. Judge Daniella Sarah Sotolářová imposed a sentence of seven years after taking into account Hoppe's remorse and his otherwise orderly life. "We also believed that you did not want to cause the death of the victim," she said. She ordered Hoppe to pay 4.7 million crowns (£158,758) to Mr Richards' family and banned him from the Czech Republic for 10 years. Mr Richards was partner to Jola Simms and father to Aurora, aged four, Bear, two, and one-year-old Vienna. His family described him as an "absolutely amazing father, partner, son, brother, and friend" who was the "glue of the family". In a statement last September, his sister-in-law Tammy Sheehan, cousin Gemma Thomas, and partner Miss Simms said: "It wasn't a fight like what I think some people are thinking – it was a blind attack. "From the attack he actually passed away from blunt force trauma. David was talking to locals in the street when he took a blow to the back of the head." A post-mortem examination by a doctor in Prague gave a provisional cause of death as brain trauma, swelling, and haemorrhaging. Pontypridd coroner Patricia Morgan opened an inquest last October and adjourned it for a "full investigation" to take place. You can read more tributes to Mr Richards, including from his family and from AFC Abercynon, where he played football, here. Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here.
Wales Online
17-05-2025
- Wales Online
Welsh dad killed with a vodka bottle on a stag do in Prague
Welsh dad killed with a vodka bottle on a stag do in Prague Joel Hoppe has been jailed for seven years for causing the death of David 'Dai' Richards, 'an absolutely amazing father, partner, son, brother, and friend' David 'Dai' Richards with his partner Jola Simms (Image: Gemma Thomas ) A man has been jailed for seven years after killing an "amazing" Welsh dad in the Czech Republic. Joel Hoppe, a 27-year-old German, was sentenced this week at a Prague court after being convicted of grievous bodily harm (GBH) resulting in the death of David 'Dai' Richards, a 31-year-old father-of-three from Mountain Ash in Rhondda Cynon Taf. Mr Richards was in the centre of Prague for a stag do on September 21 last year when he and his friends came into contact with another group of tourists. Czech Police spokesman Jan Daněk said: "At first, everything was calm and the tourists were chatting normally. "Then there was a rift between them and one of them hit the other in the head with a vodka bottle. The blow was so strong that the injured person immediately fell to the ground and unfortunately died in hospital." Czech news outlet Odkryto reports that Hoppe pleaded guilty to the fatal GBH and disorderly conduct, admitting he acted in a fit of rage and under the influence of alcohol and drugs. Don't miss a court report by signing up to our crime newsletter here 'Not a day goes by that I don't think about the late David and his children,' he reportedly told the court. 'I will accept whatever sentence you give me.' Speaking about several of Richards' relatives who attended the sentencing, Hoppe said: "It breaks my heart to see these people here today." Article continues below The state prosecutor suggested a sentence of at least eight years in prison and expulsion from the Czech Republic for 10 years. Judge Daniella Sarah Sotolářová imposed a sentence of seven years after taking into account Hoppe's remorse and his otherwise orderly life. "We also believed that you did not want to cause the death of the victim," she said. She ordered Hoppe to pay 4.7 million crowns (£158,758) to Mr Richards' family and banned him from the Czech Republic for 10 years. Mr Richards was partner to Jola Simms and father to Aurora, aged four, Bear, two, and one-year-old Vienna. His family described him as an "absolutely amazing father, partner, son, brother, and friend" who was the "glue of the family". David 'Dai' Richards, 31, with partner Jola Simms and children (Image: Gemma Thomas ) In a statement last September, his sister-in-law Tammy Sheehan, cousin Gemma Thomas, and partner Miss Simms said: "It wasn't a fight like what I think some people are thinking – it was a blind attack. "From the attack he actually passed away from blunt force trauma. David was talking to locals in the street when he took a blow to the back of the head." A post-mortem examination by a doctor in Prague gave a provisional cause of death as brain trauma, swelling, and haemorrhaging. Pontypridd coroner Patricia Morgan opened an inquest last October and adjourned it for a "full investigation" to take place. Article continues below You can read more tributes to Mr Richards, including from his family and from AFC Abercynon, where he played football, here.
