FEATURED FACES

"Somehow TantrumCon manages to draw some of the biggest names in the industry!?!"

–Everyone (ever)

SPECIAL GUEST

DAVID GORDON

David is an award-winning board game designer, who co-designed Finspan, Monkey Palace, Floristry, Crafting The Cosmos, Push Push Penguin, and several other games. David is also the co-founder of UP Games, which partnered with Asmodee for the worldwide release of Floristry, which launched as Game of the Month at Barnes & Noble. David has had a lifelong passion for games and art: he played billiards, poker, chess, and fantasy sports at high levels, pursued a PhD in music composition, and founded the Look & Listen Festival, which presented new music concerts in art galleries in NYC for 20 years. He delights in play-testing games with friends and family, and in playing piano accompanied by two beautiful singing beagles.

SPECIAL GUEST

AMMON ANDERSON

Ammon is a lifelong creative with a background in Fortune 500 corporate design and brand management. He wears many hats in the tabletop industry—game designer, graphic designer, art director, illustrator, and public speaker—and is the owner of Levity Games, a design studio and Etsy shop known for its board game sticker upgrades. Ammon is the designer and illustrator of Gnome Hollow and Cats vs Cucumbers, and has also designed Twinkle Twinkle, Space Potato, and T.A.C.O.

SPECIAL GUEST

AMMON ANDERSON

AMMON ANDERSON

Ammon is a lifelong creative with a background in Fortune 500 corporate design and brand management. He wears many hats in the tabletop industry—game designer, graphic designer, art director, illustrator, and public speaker—and is the owner of Levity Games, a design studio and Etsy shop known for its board game sticker upgrades. Ammon is the designer and illustrator of Gnome Hollow and Cats vs Cucumbers, and has also designed Twinkle Twinkle, Space Potato, and T.A.C.O.

SPECIAL GUEST

JONATHAN GILMOUR-LONG

Jonathan is a multiple award-winning RPG and board game designer/developer from Ohio. Known as the co-designer of Dead of Winter: A Crossroads Game, the co-creator of Kids on Bikes, and the mind behind Dinosaur Island, Jonathan has built a reputation for crafting immersive, story-driven experiences that keep players coming back for more.

When he’s not designing games, Jonathan can be found playtesting (sometimes even while on a walk at the beach), wrangling his four awesome kids, or making sure no one steals his favorite player color—orange. His favorite games include Cosmic Encounter, Nations, and The Mind, and his least favorite is the eternal struggle of What Game Should We Play?

With every project, Jonathan continues to prove that “making stuff up as he goes along” is actually a superpower.

SPECIAL GUEST

TAM MYAING

TAM is a prolific, award-winning creator of tabletop and digital games whose passion for play began at age 10 in Burma, where designing games became a vital creative outlet. That spark has fueled a career of more than 30 years at the intersection of art, technology, and game design.

As co-founder of UP Games, TAM leads a publishing company dedicated to pushing the boundaries of tabletop design and delivering fresh, engaging experiences. He is also the founder of Neuronic Games, where he pioneers cutting-edge educational technologies by merging art and play.

TAM’s innovative work can be seen in titles such as LEGO Monkey Palace, Crafting the Cosmos, and Floristry—games that reflect his vision for blending creativity, imagination, and meaningful interaction.

SPECIAL GUEST

TAM MYAING

TAM is a prolific, award-winning creator of tabletop and digital games whose passion for play began at age 10 in Burma, where designing games became a vital creative outlet. That spark has fueled a career of more than 30 years at the intersection of art, technology, and game design.

As co-founder of UP Games, TAM leads a publishing company dedicated to pushing the boundaries of tabletop design and delivering fresh, engaging experiences. He is also the founder of Neuronic Games, where he pioneers cutting-edge educational technologies by merging art and play.

TAM’s innovative work can be seen in titles such as LEGO Monkey Palace, Crafting the Cosmos, and Floristry—games that reflect his vision for blending creativity, imagination, and meaningful interaction.

SPECIAL GUEST

ANDREW STILES

Andrew is a game designer and podcast host with a lifelong passion for hobby games—especially card games. He co-hosts the Tabletop Submarine Podcast as well as Dice Camera Action, where games and movies are paired together in lively discussions.

In 2021, Andrew began designing games of his own. His debut title, Wine Cellar (25th Century Games), was soon followed by Digging for Dinos (3WS, coming in 2026) and 3 Tricky Pigs (Baron Jon Games), co-designed with Steven Ungaro. With more projects on the horizon, Andrew continues to bring his creativity and enthusiasm to the tabletop world.

SPECIAL GUEST

ANA MARIA MARTINEZ

Ana María is a Colombian artist and illustrator now based in the United States. With a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts, a Master’s degree in Childhood Studies, and additional training in scientific illustration, her work blends artistic expression with scientific precision. She specializes in realistic colored pencil drawings of birds, fish, and wildlife.

Ana María’s illustrations appear in acclaimed board games such as Wingspan and Finspan (Stonemaier Games), as well as in the Alternative Art Promo Pack of Nature (North Star Game Studio). Beyond illustration, she is also a passionate bird photographer, traveling with her husband and best friend to capture and share the beauty of avian life.

Through both her art and photography, Ana María celebrates biodiversity and invites others to discover the wonder of the natural world.

SPECIAL GUEST

ANA MARIA MARTINEZ

Ana María is a Colombian artist and illustrator now based in the United States. With a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts, a Master’s degree in Childhood Studies, and additional training in scientific illustration, her work blends artistic expression with scientific precision. She specializes in realistic colored pencil drawings of birds, fish, and wildlife.

Ana María’s illustrations appear in acclaimed board games such as Wingspan and Finspan (Stonemaier Games), as well as in the Alternative Art Promo Pack of Nature (North Star Game Studio). Beyond illustration, she is also a passionate bird photographer, traveling with her husband and best friend to capture and share the beauty of avian life.

Through both her art and photography, Ana María celebrates biodiversity and invites others to discover the wonder of the natural world.

SPECIAL GUEST

TAM MYAING

TAM is a prolific, award-winning creator of tabletop and digital games whose passion for play began at age 10 in Burma, where designing games became a vital creative outlet. That spark has fueled a career of more than 30 years at the intersection of art, technology, and game design.

As co-founder of UP Games, TAM leads a publishing company dedicated to pushing the boundaries of tabletop design and delivering fresh, engaging experiences. He is also the founder of Neuronic Games, where he pioneers cutting-edge educational technologies by merging art and play.

TAM’s innovative work can be seen in titles such as LEGO Monkey Palace, Crafting the Cosmos, and Floristry—games that reflect his vision for blending creativity, imagination, and meaningful interaction.

SPECIAL GUEST

RICHARD LAUN

Richard has been designing games for more than 45 years, beginning with the first edition of Arkham Horror in the 1980s. Known for creating immersive, theme-driven experiences, his design credits include Arkham Horror (1st & 2nd Editions), Defenders of the Realm, Elder Sign, Dragon Rampage, Defenders of the Last Stand, Ace Detective, Legends of the American Frontier, Run, Fight, or Die, Planet of the Apes, Thunder Alley Crew Chiefs, Fate of the Elder Gods, Descent, Shark Island, Madness at Midnight, Alien Uprising, Batman: Gotham City Under Siege, X-Men Insurrection, Cthulhu’s Vault, Thunder Rolls, and most recently Freedom Five. Upcoming titles include LA-1 and Victory Lane – The Thunder Rolls Card Game.

Beyond board games, Richard also made his mark on baseball history by designing the Chicago White Sox uniforms worn from 1982–1986, now used as their Sunday throwback uniforms. He and his wife Carolyn live in Simpsonville, SC, where they enjoy spending time with their three children and eight grandchildren.

SPECIAL GUEST

501st LEGION - CAROLINA GARRISON

The 501st Legion is a world-renowned, all-volunteer Star Wars costuming organization officially recognized by Lucasfilm for its screen-accurate costumes and dedication to bringing joy to fans of all ages. Known as “the Bad Guys Doing Good,” the Legion regularly appears at conventions, charity events, and community gatherings worldwide.

At TantrumCon, the Carolina Garrison will be joining the fun with an interactive booth featuring costumed characters, iconic Star Wars props, and immersive photo backdrops. Don’t miss your chance to meet the troopers, take photos, and experience the galaxy far, far away right here at TantrumCon!

YOUR HOSTS

TANTRUM HOUSE

The Tantrum House Crew is made up of several married couples who have been playing games together for decades: Will & Sara Meadows, Ryan & Katie Pilz, Kevin & Melissa Delp, and Jonah & Shantelle Dew (plus the kids and friends)! They are passionate about the growth and promotion of the tabletop hobby because they believe that games have incredible power ​to connect people and bring them joy. They are excited to host TantrumCon each year and are thrilled to welcome y'all to the house! You can learn more about them and get to all of their social channels at www.TantrumHouse.com