Which gaming conventions do you attend or are otherwise aware of? I know of quite a few here in the Heartland area, and I attend quite a few. It's a great opportunity to do some "gaming networking." Post your favorites!
I've gone to RockCon in Rockford, IL; Spring Offensive in Peoria, IL; QuadCon in Moline, IL; Winter War in Champaign, IL; FlatCon in Bloomington, IL; and am aware of a few others that I haven't yet attended, such as DieCon in Collinsville, IL and Egyptian Campaign in Carbondale, IL.
Lewis, we've definitely got to get you back into the wargaming life! Bonnots Mill is only about an hour west, so I could see myself heading your way for some gaming. Plus, I'm putting the final touches on my basement gameroom, and it will be the best one I've yet done! (Every house or apartment I've ever been in has had a game room, btw.)
Here in Quincy we have QuinCon usually about the 3rd weekend in June. Friday to Sunday. Lots of minis and roleplaying. Boardgaming can be limited to Euros and similar except that about four of us always try to have some kind of wargaming going on. Would love to have any of you guys come over. June 20-22. We usually only have three vendors (Game Room from Washington, IL; Castle Perilous from Carbondale; and Larry & Jane Zoet from Michigan with their Van of Gamer Doom :) but have lots of gaming going from Friday morning on.
Come on over and I'll host a wargame table for any game folks want to play.