Signed up. This will be my first time ever. I'm really excited about the SWM event, as it will be the first time i've played in over a year, and the first time i've played with and against competitive squads since the release of MOTF. I was wondering if anyone had any information on this and what i need to do to get involved. Entry fees, different formats of play, etc. I have a huge collection, and want to make sure I bring enough that I can be included in any types of games there might be.

I believe the champs are on Thursday this year. The schedule has been submitted, but they probably won't publicize it until it's officially approved by GenCon. I know we're doing a sealed event for set 8, multiple mass battles, and the Jedi Challenge and Sith Trials events, although I don't have details/schedule.

As for what to do...Well, you already have your badge. Event registration will be in May (check on the GenCon website for the date). If you don't already have one, you will need to get a logon for their registration system. A couple of weeks before event registration, they will start putting up event catalogs, so you can peruse and see what you might like to do, even add events to a wish list/shopping cart. Some of the events sell out quickly, so you may want to be at the computer right when registration opens. At that point, you basically hit submit on your event list, and you get what you get, then you go through the process of buying the tickets. You can either have your badge/event tickets shipped to you or pick them up on-site at the Will Call.

Any other questions? This will be our ninth GenCon, so we're kind of old pros.

Oh, and welcome!

ETA: Here's the schedule of events from last year. I know the schedule will be quite a bit different, but this will at least give you an idea of the type of events. (BHC--Bounty Hunter Challenge).

Thursday 8-15-2013
9am 100pt JC, Hoth
11am BHC
12pm BHC
1pm 150pt JC, BHC
2pm Hoth, BHC
3pm BHC
4pm BHC
5pm 200pt JC
7pm Clone Wars MB
9pm Epic Duos

Friday 8-16-2013
9am Champs
10am Dynamic Duo
11am BHC
12pm BHC
1pm Geonosis, BHC
2pm BHC
3pm 100pt, BHC
4pm Minis Maddness, BHC
6pm Geonosis, Assassin Style

Saturday 8-17-2013
9am Mystery Map ST, Endor
10am Queen's Gambit
11am BHC
12pm Queen's Gambit, BHC
1pm 100pt LS/DS, Endor, BHC
2pm Queen's Gambit, BHC
3pm BHC
4pm Queen's Gambit, BHC
5pm Tile Wars ST,
7pm Queen's Gambit Champs
9pm Team Royal Rumble

Sunday 8-18-2013
9am Trench Run, DS II, Sealed
11am Trench Run, DS II, BHC
12pm 100pt, BHC
1pm Trench Run, DS II, BHC
2pm BHC
3pm BHC

Yes, you can play SWM pretty close to non-stop (well, probably 9 a.m.-10 p.m. or so) over the course of the weekend. And some people do.

Yes, there will be online event catalogs on the GenCon websites. Ticket prices and available will be listed there. As I said, the catalog should start to go up a week or two before event registration (May 18). So I would start checking toward the end of the first week in May. The catalog can be sorted by types of events (RPG, minis, board games, seminars, classes, etc.), and you can also just search for Star Wars miniatures and it should pull at least some of the events up.

As for prices--it depends on the event. Someone can correct me if I'm wrong here, but I THINK the championship is generally around $30. Prices are dependent to some extent on the length of the event (as we pay GenCon for the space by the hour), and to some extent on prize support/extras (like the Mystery Map, or the custom minis for the sealed event). Shorter or less involved events (like the Bounty Hunter challenge) will be cheaper. Suggested GenCon pricing is generally $2 for a 2-hour session, but we go up from there for many events to help cover prize support and incidentals.

I believe we're looking at running some X-Wing events this year as well, if that interests you.

just check out the GenCon website

As for what minis you need to bring, here's what I suggest:
1. Figure out what events you'll be playing in (ie, Championship, 200 Mystery Map, 200 Jedi Challenge, 150 Jedi Challenge, 500 Epic, etc).
2. Build squads for each of those events.
3. Take only the pieces (and maps, cards, etc) that you need for those squads and events. This way you won't have to bring your whole collection. If you're undecided about which squads you want to play for certain events, then go ahead and bring multiple squads; regardless, this will be easier than having to carry your whole collection with you all the time.

Oh, right. You write down all the pieces in your squad (as well as the map) on the registration sheet at the beginning of EACH tournament, and you cannot change your squad during the tournament after that (other than via Reinforcements, Reserves, Pelleon's CE, or via some other in-game alteration mechanic). Of course, you can feel free to make any changes you'd like until you turn in your registration sheet.

I've attended every year from 2008-2012, and it was great every time. I'm actually hoping I can go again this year; we'll have to see about that, though.

Sounds fun !

What does each title of scheduled games mean? Example: what is bounty hunter challenge etc?

I don't think that is true. I'm pretty sure you bring a squad and play AGAINST the NEW 100 pt BHC piece.

I think it's a 200 point squad vs the BHC piece, if I heard correctly.