MACE: 25 Years of NC Gaming

Mid-Atlantic Convention Expo (MACE) was a North Carolina gaming convention series that was conceived and run by Jeff Smith and Just Us Productions for 25 years. The convention started in 1997 in High Point, NC. With the partnership of Ron McClung, Jeff’s long-time friend and developer of the OGRe gaming registration system, MACE rightfully became known as the best-run gaming convention in North Carolina. In 2012, MACE left High Point and moved to the University Hilton in Charlotte.

Jeff’s wild imagination resulted in a number of spin-off events over the 25 year run of MACE. MACE West in Asheville, NC was the largest of these. Mini-MACE was a series of one-day “food and fun” get togethers originally held at a Golden Corral in Winston-Salem, NC. (An all-day board gaming event paired with an endless buffet for one ticket price? GENIUS!) Club MACE was a gaming cruise/vacation, and MACE East was a one-time event held on a BATTLESHIP!

On February 28, 2022, Jeff Smith passed away, and this sad passing marked the end of Just Us Productions and MACE. The final MACE event, JeffCon, was hosted by Ron McClung in November, 2022. 

Jeff envisioned MACE as a family-friendly event that focused on many types of gaming: role playing games, board games, miniature games, even video games. These conventions brought people together, building relationships that last a lifetime. When Jeff passed, some of his friends just could not imagine their lives without our hometown convention, and from this, Games For All Events, LLC was born.

With the blessing of Jeff’s family, Games For All Events intends to pick up where Just Us Productions left off. Our events aim to keep the spirit of MACE alive, with the same family-friendly atmosphere and excellent organization that was the hallmark of every MACE event. Every member of GFA’s staff are long-time fans of MACE and are honored to have been considered Jeff’s friends. In Jeff’s memory, we hope that our events will keep the essence of MACE alive for many more years to come.

Thank you, Jeff! We miss you!