The Spiel game convention, often simply known as Spiel or Essen, is the world's largest trade fair for board games, card games, and other types of table-top games. It is held annually in Essen, Germany. Spiel is organized by Friedhelm Merz Verlag, and it has been running since 1983. The convention typically lasts for four days and attracts thousands of visitors from around the world. It's a major event in the gaming industry, where designers, manufacturers, and publishers showcase their new and upcoming games. The term "Spiel" is German for "game", and the convention is often referred to as "The Essen Game Fair" in English-speaking countries. Over the years, Spiel has grown to include role-playing games, comic books, and toys, but board games remain the primary focus. One of the unique aspects of Spiel is the prestigious Spiel des Jahres (Game of the Year) award which is announced there. This award is considered one of the most important in the board game industry. It's not uncommon for games that win or are nominated for this award to see a significant increase in sales. In addition to showcasing games, Spiel also provides a platform for enthusiasts to play games, participate in tournaments, meet game designers, and buy games, often including limited editions or versions of games that are not yet available elsewhere.