We're starting to veer off track here, let's get back before Pundit gets grumpy.
Any word on other conventions, if any?
GenCon seems to be hemming and hawing in trying to figure out what to do. I've gotten several surveys asking if they did X how would that affect my willingness to attend. I don't mind if they want to take extra precautions. Things like having hand sanitizer stations, closing the con at night so they can sanitize things themselves, better spacing of the tables and game rooms (seriously, even w/o a COVID scare they need less tables in those rooms), offering free testing, etc.
Things they will try to force on me though, like mandatory masking, temperature taking, vaccine passport... nah. Those are show stoppers for me and I said as much.
I've since decided to skip this year. I can't fathom spending the $$$ to go to a con that will likely have limited attendance. I can't imagine many companies will be there will be due to safety concerns not yet being ironed out and the date being changed. We already saw Paizo and Asmodee pull out. There are probably a bunch of smaller ones I haven't heard about yet as well.
The pop-up GenCon idea sounded sorta interesting and I was going to see if my FLGS was interested. Then they said there is a $5 badge fee for it. I mean, I get it, sort of. I just can't think of anyone that would pay $5 for something we do normally for free.