We had the good fortune of connecting with Michael Eckert and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Michael, we’d love to start by asking you about lessons learned. Is there a lesson you can share with us?
Many would say patience is the greatest virtue when it comes to attaining success in life. I do not agree. I say grab the bull by the horns and take a chance. Nothing amazing ever comes from the safe path in life. Only the road less taken or the path forged in fire lead to the laurels of success. I took a huge chance in purchasing my tabletop game convention from the founder. It was in 2019. Our first two years under my new management went headlong into the COVID-19 pandemic. It took a great deal of negotiations and discipline to make it through two years without having a convention. Staying on top of the expenses and negotiating a recovery plan with our hotels is what allowed us to come back in 2022 stronger than ever.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
This convention and conventions I have owned and run in the past has always been a passion and a second job. I have been a Government Contracts Manager for various companies in my 19 year careeer. This past December I graduated from the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University with my Masters of Legal Studies. I traveled to ASU to walk with all the other Graduate and Doctorate students to make my accomplishment. I know have a degree that ties in directly with both my day job and my convention business.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If they visited California and wanted to see Los Angeles, I would definatly encourage the following:

1) A Dodger game complete with a Dodger Dog and an ice cold beer.
2) Mann’s Chinese Theater
3) Santa Monica Pier
4) The Hollywood Bowl for a concert
5) Sunset Blvd for shopping and eating
6) Universal Studios Hollywood
7) A stop at Geeky Teas and Games in Burbank

That would round out a perfect week-long getaway to LA

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I could not be in the position I am in today without the support and love of my wife of 10 years, my business partner and friend of 18 years and the host of dedicated staff that help to put on the best tabletop game convention in California.

Website: www.kublacon.com

Instagram: @kublagamecon

Twitter: @kublacon

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kublacon

Image Credits
Cardboard Alchemy, LLC Luke Laurie Kyle Talbert

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