History

Some History of NASAGA:

The North American Simulation and Gaming Association (NASAGA) dates back to 1962. Originally founded as the East Coast War Games Council, the original organization was devoted to war games. The name of the organization was changed to the National Gaming Council in 1968 as the emphasis of the organization had shifted toward business and economic gaming. The name was changed again in 1975 to the North American Simulation and Gaming Association and the organization continues to meet under this name today. The 2012 NASAGA conference, held in Columbus Ohio, was billed as its 50th anniversary meeting which dates back to the organization beginnings in 1962.

Check out an article in Simulation & Gaming about the early years of NASAGA by Tom Nichols, who was Secretary-Treasurer for its first 10 years and wrote its first constitution. An excerpt:

Perhaps my greatest impact was in the way I took minutes of the annual
business meeting and of the several meetings of the board between conferences.
These minutes are different from anything written before, or since.
“When Dick McGinty smiled, his smile perfectly matched his bowtie like the
equal sign.” “When Cathy Greenblat flashed those hauntingly beautiful dark
brown eyes NOBODY could argue with her.” At a board meeting, I forget
where, when Barbara Steinwachs brought in a rhubarb coffee cake filled with
nuts and spices, I put the recipe in the minutes. Every spring for nearly 20
years I have made the Barbara Steinwachs coffee cake when the rhubarb in
my garden grows to be bright red and tender.

Past NASAGA Conferences