Today we’d like to introduce you to Kevin Fair.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
IPG started in 2009. I wanted to have fun with my friends and run competitive gaming tournaments.
I realized the need for hosting game tournaments and events and in 2011, I hosted the first Chicago bar gaming event. Since then, I’ve evolved into providing gaming setups for NYCC, C2E2, Extra Life & BitBash.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The biggest struggle when I started out was that people did not really understand the value of gaming and had no idea what a “video gaming event” consisted of. I started my journey in 09 trying to host bar events incorporating the concept of creating a pop up arcade for a night, and while the idea was ahead of its time, most bar owners turned their nose up to the younger crowds and did not understand how gaming was transforming into the most popular form of media.
I would have successful events, bring equipment, set things up, host tournaments, and promote a venue all for FREE, but would still have bar owners and managers who would eventually turn me away because the crowd did not look like the traditional “25 Afterwork Sports Fan.”
We’d love to hear more about your business.
We are a gaming entertainment and equipment rental company who provides experiences for conventions, company activation/parties, birthday parties, and charitable events. Our goal as a company is to make gaming accessible and fun for all audiences by consulting and curating a game selection that can fit competitive tournament scenes, children’s parties or nostalgic retro event for a fun time with your friends.
In addition to hosting events, and providing equipment IPG has created informative workshops for kids that provide practical ways to take their passion for gaming and make a career out of it.
What were you like growing up?
As a child, I was very detailed oriented about the gaming systems I wanted. I even drew out the Nintendo sales ad for my parents to explain to them what I wanted and why it was different from other electronic systems. Summers were my favorite because I would play outside all day then come in and be active on my gaming systems. This is where my career really started. I brought video games to school for everyone to play from fourth grade through high school. I used to wheel the tube TV into the classrooms to play games before our lessons.
I also became a Nintendo evangelist at a young age. After my sister scratched my Gameboy screen, I wrote Nintendo a letter and they sent a replacement screen with instructions plus because I was sent an introductory of Pokemon before it was released.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ipgnation.com
- Phone: (708) 824-8272
- Email: contact@IPGSTAFF.ORG
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IPGames/
- Twitter: @Kfair_IPG
- Other: https://www.twitch.tv/kfair_ipg
Image Credit:
Jessica Franklin- @j.lenaiphotography, Anthony Carter – shotoflensphotography@gmail.com
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