Chicago Area Mensa presents…

Play More. Sleep Less. Make Friends.

The 2027 Dates

Start: Friday, January 15th at 3 pm
End: Sunday, January 17th at 3 pm

Add AGOG Weekend @ Westin North Shore Hotel

The Location

Westin North Shore Hotel
601 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Wheeling, IL 60090
1.847.777.6500 

after-the-throne-logo

New this year! Experience After the Throne:
a Megagame—a massive interactive event where dozens of players work together, compete, negotiate, and shape the story in real time.

From 6 PM to midnight on Friday

The AGOG Event:

Join over 100 gamers for a weekend of board games, card games, great food, and nonstop fun. With a 24-hour game room, hundreds of games to play, meals included, and our first-ever Megagame, there's always something happening.

The Registration Rates & Deadlines†:

Adults (18 and over):

  • $95 through Saturday, Aug. 15th
  • $105 through Sunday, Nov. 1st
  • $115 through Friday, Dec. 25th
  • $125 at the door

Youth (9 to 17):

  • $60 through Saturday, Aug. 15th
  • $65 through Sunday, Nov. 1st
  • $75 through Friday, Dec. 25th
  • $85 at the door

+$10 for non-members but includes a voucher worth $30 towards qualification testing

Child (8 and under):

  • Free with Parental Supervision
    (Please note that baby-sitting will not be offered)

(Please note that baby-sitting will not be offered) will only be available Saturday between 7:30 PM and 10:30 PM Bi-Monthly Gathering for a fee of $10/child payable on-site.)

†  Payment must be received by deadline to qualify for discount

Age as of Friday, Jan. 15, 2027

Unaccompanied youth 12-17 must have a parent/guardian present at registration to sign the appropriate form.

Tap/Click here to register now for AGOG! The registration page has all the instructions about registration. After Friday, December 25th, you can only register at the door for AGOG.

The Hotel Rates:

Rooms at the Westin North Shore Hotel are available for a discounted rate of $128 per night through December 25th.
Book online or call 1.847.777.6500  and ask the hotel to book a room for the “Chicago Area Mensa A Gathering of Gamers (AGOG)” group rate. (Warning: The hotel has been known to change the cutoff date with little or no notice.) If you have any issues, please contact our Hotel Liaison .

The Volunteer Opportunities:

Whether you want to run a tournament, teach a game, make sure the herd is snacked and watered, or help move all these games off and on the truck, we would love to have your help! We'll be reaching out later for volunteers, but let us know if you have a special interest. Contact agog@chicago.us.mensa.org . .

The FAQs

Do I need to be a Mensa member to attend AGOG?
Not at all! AGOG is open to everyone. That said, if you're curious what we're all about, check out the information on the American Mensa website As a bonus, your AGOG registration includes a discount voucher (valued at $30) towards membership testing!
What should I know about the hotel?

AGOG will be held at the Westin-Chicago North Shore Hotel at 601 North Milwaukee Avenue in Wheeling. The hotel is lo­cated on the east side of Milwaukee and the main entrance is at the intersection of Milwaukee Avenue and Wolf Road (just south of Lake-Cook and north of Dundee Road).

Book your room today! The hotel is offering a special AGOG room rate of $128 through Friday, December 25th. The rooms facing east enjoy a great view of the Forest Preserves. The hotel is lo­cated just west of the Des Plaines River and is steps away from the Des Plaines River Trail leading into the Potawatomi Woods Forest Preserve. There’s also a pool and workout equipment.

There’s plenty of free parking both on the north and the south side of the hotel. The south lot is closer to the meeting rooms.

The hotel offers a shuttle service from the nearby METRA stations . Please call them well in advance to arrange a pickup given staff shortages have increased wait times. Otherwise use one of the ridesharing services like or Uber .

What is this I hear about food…?
Your registration includes:
Friday: Dinner
Saturday: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Sunday: Brunch
Around the Clock: We have snacks of all stripes and sorts, and a variety of sodas and non-alcoholic beverages.
We don't have the exact menu defined yet: stay tuned until much nearer the event!
Will there be programming sessions?
AGOG, at its core, is an open gaming event. We will have a special megagame event, some teach and plays, a tournament or three, and some RPG one-shots. That's enough, right?
What kinds of games will be provided?
The Chicago Area Mensa games collection includes all the kinds of games for all the kinds kinds of players—casual and obsessed alike. We'll have these available for open use by attendees.
Can I bring my own games?
Please do! You'll make the weekend better and make friends along the way.
Will there be separate quiet game areas?
While our convention space includes some rooms to the side, they are often used for specific events. If you would like to plan something specific or special that might require a side room, contact agog@chicago.us.mensa.org .
The hotel says the room block is full! What do I do?
This happens periodically; we simply call the hotel to add more. Email us at agog@chicago.us.mensa.org .
Is there a single-day rate for AGOG?
No. While you can come and go as you please, you will be required to purchase a full registration to attend any part of the AGOG event.
Last year I came just for Saturday night. Can I do that this year?
While you can come and go as you please, you must purchase a full registration in order to attend any part of the AGOG event. This year, there will be no Chicago Area Mensa Monthly Gathering in January, so plan accordingly.
What if I discover that I cannot attend?
An 8 percent processing fee will be charged for cancellation and refund requests prior to December 25, 2026. No refund requests will be accepted after that time. Registration rates are nontransferable. For more information about refunds or to cancel, email AGOG-Registrar@chicago.us.mensa.org .
What if I have special dietary requirements?
We make every effort to offer vegetarian options throughout the weekend. Unfortunately, due to budget and food preparation limitations, we cannot guarantee accommodations for individual dietary restrictions, allergies, or preferences. If you have specific dietary needs, we recommend bringing supplemental food items to ensure your comfort and enjoyment during the event. The Westin's hotel rooms typically have refrigerators; check with the hotel to confirm and for more details.
But I still have so many questions!
Keep checking back! We'll update the FAQ periodically (last updated: June 2nd). Until then, contact us via email at agog@chicago.us.mensa.org  and we'll be happy to help!

The Past:

Check out the photos from AGOG 2026, 2024, 2023, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, or 2010.


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