Who we are
MRGE started innocently enough, with a question between Kris from the YouTube channel GameDad Show and Jay from the YouTube channel Square Pegs: “How would you run a convention?” After attending numerous shows together and seeing things they loved and things they felt they could improve upon, they started a shared document to jot ideas down on, and promptly forgot about it.
But over the next couple of years, they kept coming back to the idea, until eventually roping in Jay’s wife Meridith, which really turned the concept into a fleshed out idea. Eventually, this led to where we are today, with the advent of the 2026 Michigan Retro Game Expo.
And while we mention Retro gaming in our name, MRGE is truly a celebration of all things gaming. From your favorite retro games like PAC-MAN, Super Mario Bros., and Bonk’s Adventure to today's hits like Death Stranding, Mario Kart World, and FORZA Horizon 5, this is a convention founded by gamers and for gamers. And it doesn’t stop with video games - we’ll also have tabletop gaming, board games, POGs, and CCGs, because ALL games are worth celebrating.
We look forward to seeing you with us in Kalamazoo on August 29th, 2026!
meet the team
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kris
CEO - @GameDadShow
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jay
CCO - @SquarePegs
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meridith
CFO
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lindsay
Comms Lead - @LLCoolGames
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karmadillo
Designer - @Karmadillo.co
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thor
Staff Coordinator - @Hey_Its_Thor