At Gen Con 2025, I had the chance to sit down with Brandyn Osborne, founder and driving force behind ConHorde, a professional staffing and consulting agency redefining what it means to work in the tabletop convention space. What started as a Facebook group chat has grown into a movement that champions professionalism, community, and accountability.
From Group Chat to Game-Changer
ConHorde began informally as a digital gathering space among friends and convention workers. Over time, Brandyn and others began tracking which publishers paid fairly, treated staff well, and provided opportunities for growth. That database evolved into a more organized initiative.
After a tech startup job imploded, Brandyn decided to turn what was once a passion project into a full-time business. The goal was to raise the bar for demo staff and help publishers create better convention experiences. With years of convention experience and a growing web of industry connections, Brandyn saw the gap between expectation and execution and decided to fill it.
“We had a spreadsheet of publishers, rates, perks, and even who took you out to dinner,” Brandyn laughed. “It was scrappy, but it was honest. And people wanted that transparency.”
The early group chat, which eventually became “ConHorde,” wasn’t a business yet—it was a trusted peer network. Within it, new and seasoned demo staff shared their experiences working shows, often revealing huge discrepancies in how companies treated contractors. From there, the seeds of a business model began to sprout. “It wasn’t just about finding good people,” Brandyn explained. “It was about creating a culture of excellence that elevated the entire experience, both for attendees and for staff.”
Scaling with Intent
The mission of ConHorde is straightforward: to provide professional, personable, and prepared staff to publishers. But the execution is anything but simple. As Brandyn puts it, “We’re not miracle workers, but if you have a good game and a good plan, we can help make it great.”
One of the earliest hurdles was proving the value of professional staffing in a volunteer-heavy industry. “A lot of what we do is built on trust and reputation,” he explains. “It took time, but now we have publishers seeing record numbers at shows because of the systems we’ve implemented.”
Those systems include checklists, pre-show meetings, demo strategy consultations, and what Brandyn jokingly refers to as the “ConHorde secret sauce,” a structured approach built from years of tech sales and engineering experience. This background helped him introduce concepts like ROI, KPIs, and CRM-like thinking into the convention circuit.
“Most publishers focus on the product,” he noted, “but the delivery—how it’s taught, sold, and positioned can make or break your weekend.”
He recounted a Gen Con moment where a last-minute demo pivot and pitch closed out a nearly sold-out booth for one of his partners. “Sometimes it’s about reading the room, making eye contact, and treating every potential customer like they belong at your table. That’s the difference between ConHorde and random hired help.”
A High Standard for the Horde
Applying to work with ConHorde isn’t as simple as filling out a form. Applicants must submit a resume, complete an in-depth questionnaire, and send in a video of themselves teaching or pitching a game. From there, they go through a live interview process with situational questions designed to assess their poise, professionalism, and passion.
“If I wouldn’t invite you over for dinner, I’m not recommending you to represent ConHorde,” Brandyn says bluntly. “We’re not here to be gatekeepers. But we are here to raise the floor.”
Once accepted, team members participate in regular training, show-specific briefings, and eventually, a forthcoming certification program. By 2026, Brandyn plans to roll out a full ConHorde Certified platform, including modules on point-of-sale systems, teaching techniques, conflict resolution, and even working with children at public events.
There’s also an emphasis on ethics and safety—background checks, harassment training, hygiene standards, and appropriate behavior around families and minors are all part of the vision. “There have been too many horror stories in the industry of unsafe or unqualified people in booths,” Brandyn said. “That can’t be the norm anymore.”
Looking Ahead: The Multi-Silo Vision
ConHorde is more than just staffing. Brandyn outlined five silos for the company’s future:
- Staffing Services – The core business of matching trained professionals with publishers.
- Game Night Kits – Local events across the U.S. serve as training grounds and grassroots marketing.
- Certification Platform – A standardized training system to elevate demo staff across the industry.
- Consulting – Leveraging ConHorde’s network to solve problems for publishers, retailers, and designers.
- Content Creation – Producing behind-the-scenes videos, pitch training, and demo walkthroughs for retailers and designers.
The company also plans to expand beyond tabletop into video games and pop culture conventions. Brandyn already works with shows like QuakeCon and has eyes on larger events like PAX, DreamHack, and even industry training opportunities for massive publishers like Asmodee.
He also sees opportunity in education: training librarians, teachers, and store owners on how to teach games effectively. “Gamification is everywhere now. If we can train people to teach, pitch, and create experiences, it has value far beyond conventions.”
Community First
Despite the business growth, Brandyn is quick to point out that community is the beating heart of ConHorde. “I’ve always been professional, but I’ve also always been a people-first person. Everyone in the horde knows that when you show up to a show, we’ve got your back.”
This ethos has led to internal conversations about how to manage growing pains, like moderating the Discord server or responding to industry controversies. There’s even a blacklist of publishers ConHorde won’t work with due to misconduct or mistreatment.
The community aspect extends to casual meetups, off-hour game nights, and even a crash space for vetted members. “If I can offer a couch or a spot at a local brewery after a long day, I will,” Brandyn added. “It’s about showing up for each other.”
ConHorde members are not just teammates—they’re collaborators. Shared documents, pooled resources, and a willingness to train others have become foundational to its internal culture. “We’re not competing with each other. We’re growing together.”
A Million-Dollar Vision
Brandyn envisions a future where ConHorde-certified training becomes industry standard—the ServSafe or CPR cert of demo staffing so to speak. “Imagine a publisher sending 600 staff through our program at $300 a head. That’s a million-dollar business overnight, and a better convention experience for everyone.”
While funding and growth are on the horizon, for now Brandyn remains focused on sustainable expansion, reinvesting profits, and building a platform that lifts the entire industry. All proceeds currently go back into software, legal structures (including expanding to Romania to hire European workers legally), and professionalizing every layer of the experience.
He’s also in talks with industry advisors and coaches to develop a long-term roadmap. “I can’t clone myself,” he joked, “but I can train the next generation.”
A Home With the Horde
As our conversation wrapped, I asked Brandyn what he hoped people would take away from ConHorde. His answer was simple: “Join the Discord. Come see what we’re about. We’re building something special—a professional, passionate, people-powered movement. And we’re just getting started.”
His goal isn’t just about growth—it’s about legacy. ConHorde is more than a brand. It’s a challenge to the tabletop industry to expect more. And so far, that challenge is being met with open arms.
For publishers, it’s a new way to think about staffing and training. For freelancers, it’s a professional path forward. For attendees, it’s a guarantee of quality. And for the industry as a whole, it may be the beginning of a new standard.
Disclaimer: Kevin is also a current member of Conhorde.
If you’re interested in working with ConHorde as a publisher or contractor, hosting a Game Night, or simply want more information, visit www.conhorde.com.
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