Years ago I wrote a game called Battlestorm and as part of the promotion tour, I travelled to game conventions all over the US. The largest and best of these game conventions like GenCon and Origins Game Fair would have 30,000 to 50,000 attendees who come to play games, attend lectures, see old friends and make new friends. It was my first exposure the convention circuit and it made quite an impression on me.

At these game conventions I met many celebrities, mostly actors from science fiction shows and movies, and some authors. In addition I met many gamers from around the country. I didn't often get the chance to play games at these conventions because I was too busy selling my own game, but I did get the opportunity to tour the displays and meet others before the gates opened to the general public.

Today, I don't attend game conventions in a professional capacity, but I still attend one or two conventions a year. My wife Julie and I enjoy the drive up to the Lancaster Resort and Convention Center in Lancaster. Smaller conventions like Historicon and Cold Wars up in Lancaster have perhaps 5,000 attendees. However, these smaller conventions are closer and they still offer a lot of fun. Most conventions last 3 to 4 days. When I was a presenter I would stay for the entire convention, but as an attendee I rarely stay more than 1 day.

Reflecting the fun I'd seen at these conventions, I hatched the idea of bringing a smaller version to Alexandria. Using our group Alexandria Fun with Friends we host a mini-convention on a nearly monthly basis. The Microcon is much smaller in every respect. We usually have 30 to 70 attendees. Instead of taking up space in a convention hall, we usually occupy the Club Room of a local condominium.

Attendees come to learn, teach and share games. Together, we play social games, board games, card games and role-playing games to get to know each other and to have fun. The fun starts at 2 in the afternoon and at dinner time we take a break to eat a meal. At a big convention, vendors are ever-present selling everything from carnie-food to gourmet meals, but our Microcon doesn't have any food vendors.

Many times, Julie has made food like chili or enchiladas or lasagna. Sometimes we have had the food catered. Most recently, the food at the Microcon was provided by Dishes of India, an Indian restaurant located in the Belle View Shopping Center.

If you've never had Indian food, or if you love Indian food, I highly recommend Dishes of India. The lunch buffet is the best way to take a tour of what the restaurant has to offer. The food is generally mild and very "American-friendly", meaning there are options on the buffet which will please the pickiest palate.

For example, you might not like Indian food, but I know you like fire-roasted chicken. Vegetarians will enjoy simple foods like potatoes or green beans will Indian spices.

If you need an event catered, contact Gopal at Dishes of India. I found him to be friendly helpful and accommodating. He tailored a menu to fit our budget and our needs and there was ample food for our attendees.

About the Author --- Will Nesbitt is the principal broker of Will Nesbitt Realty and maintains Condo 1 Alexandria. Will specializes in condos, townhouses and single family residences in Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax County, Crystal City, and Kingstowne. Will resides in Belle Haven Estates just outside Alexandria VA in Fairfax County.