About Us

What started out as a crazy idea one night during a session of the World's Greatest RPG, then turned into a serious conversation, is now a partnership between two independent gamers-and all-around geeks-who just also happen to be cousins.  

Between us and our team of friends and family working with us, we have countless hours in board games, tabletop games, miniature games, RPGs, video games, TCGs, and have collections to support our love of various forms of gaming.

Led by Chris Elfrink and Nikki Tanksley, the team is dedicated to bring a fun and memorable weekend-long gaming experience to Southeast Missouri.  Bringing all of our individual experiences together, we want to bring to you experiences similar to ones we've had a local, regional, and national conventions.  

Growing up in Southeast Missouri, we've always felt that there has never been a cohesive community for gamers in the area.  There are many pockets and areas rich with enthusiastic gamers, but only that: pockets.  Why not bring everyone together and enjoy the rich rewards of having a cohesive community? 

The Heartland Gaming Con is an independent organization that is committed to bringing a high-quality, gaming-centered convention to Southeast Missouri and the surrounding area.  Through this convention, our mission is to help build a cohesive community of gamers in the greater SeMO area.  

We all know the difficulties gamers often face when we have only a small group of gamer friends: scheduling conflicts, can't find anyone to try a new game or game system, friends move and suddenly there is no group, etc. A more cohesive gaming community will help remedy that.