The Host Files: The Road To NoCoCon

The past year has been a major turning point for Skills Murder Mysteries. With the sisters’ favorite host, Heather of Heather’s Paint and Sip, relocating to Tennessee and changes happening in their personal lives, a unique opportunity opened to grow the business in 2025. What started as a local mystery game brand was now expanding into New York, Tennessee, and Washington. Still, Ashley saw a need to get the word out to even more people, and what better place than a comic convention?

In November 2024, she took a shot in the dark and applied to Watertown’s NoCoCon (North Country Comic Con). The team didn’t know what to expect. Maybe the organizers were looking for something more established. Maybe mystery games didn’t quite fit their vision. Maybe the waitlist was just too long. But to their surprise and delight, Skills Murder Mysteries was accepted almost immediately.

From that moment, the planning kicked into high gear. Becoming a convention vendor wasn’t as simple as setting up a table and showing up. There were logistics: liability insurance, booth design, payment systems, and contingency plans. On top of that, because the sisters lived on opposite coasts, they had to double up on everything: two tablecloths, two business card stands, two photo booth setups, two POS systems, two Wi-Fi hotspots—everything.

Next came the question of how to sell something intangible—digital game files—in person. The answer was business cards with QR codes. Small enough to fit in a pocket, reusable, and dynamic. With QR codes, players could reprint their games anytime and receive real-time updates, whether that meant typo fixes or full expansions.

But showcasing those games at a busy convention required something eye-catching and immersive. That’s where the lookbook came in—a catalog containing story summaries, character descriptions, and creative inspiration from the blog, including menu suggestions, costume ideas, and décor themes. It was designed to help visitors imagine their perfect party brought to life with Skills Murder Mysteries.

Then came the exciting announcement: Skills Murder Mysteries would also be part of the official NoCoCon entertainment lineup. They would host a mystery each day of the convention. One of the games, "Arsonist at the Arcade", a family-friendly, fire-filled whodunnit without any fatalities, had to be built from scratch. In tandem, the team developed another product: the Murder Mystery Party Detective’s Journal. Inspired by guests furiously scribbling notes at events, the journal offered a dedicated place to track clues, remember standout moments, and relive the fun. It was a game-day logbook and keepsake rolled into one.

On May 24, 2025, with just two weeks to go until the convention, Ashley finalized printing for the game files and lookbooks at Staples. She purchased Wi-Fi hotspots and handled a slew of last-minute preparations.

By May 29, the Detective’s Journals arrived—but not without their own mystery. One box had shown up open, and eight of the 100 journals were damaged in transit. A quick return and refund process was set in motion, and the rest were ready to debut. Meanwhile, Ashley had printed, cut, and laminated the materials for both hosted mysteries. The event times were confirmed: 12:15 PM each day.

June 6, the night before NoCoCon, was the start of vendor load-in. Ashley squeezed in check-in and setup during a break from her day job—just in time to avoid a downpour. She got the booth materials inside, made sure everything was accounted for, and activated the photo booth software. The final checklist included setting up the iPad, running the table’s power cords, and activating the Wi-Fi hotspot.

NOCOCON DAY 1

Saturday, June 7, 2025, began smoothly. Final touches were placed: the photo booth was powered on, cables were secured, and the Wi-Fi hotspot was live. Visitors began flowing through the convention hall. Many stopped by the Skills Murder Mysteries table to ask questions, take cards, and inquire about future events and private bookings.

One of the biggest highlights of the day was the incredible support from Rene, a longtime friend and passionate Skills Murder Mysteries fan, who stepped up to co-host the convention games. Saturday’s feature was "Haunted Homecoming," a theatrical whodunnit that drew more than a dozen enthusiastic detectives. Guests embraced their roles, brought their best acting skills, and nailed the investigation. It was one of the most spirited performances yet.

Connections began forming fast. A soon-to-open game store stopped by, hoping to host mysteries once they launch. A local church group expressed interest in kids’ programming. Even area businesses began discussing Skills Murder Mysteries for future team-building events. The first day wrapped with a sense of momentum and curiosity.

NOCOCON DAY 2

Sunday, June 8, brought even more energy. Attendees returned, eager to learn about the games and to sign up for the featured mystery, "Arsonist at the Arcade." As the clock neared 12:15, people darted toward the mystery room—determined to solve the blaze behind the arcade fire.

The most heartwarming moment of the day was seeing five players from Saturday’s mystery return for Sunday’s. Many of them had never attended a mystery game before NoCoCon, and their excitement to come back spoke volumes. The community was growing, and it felt electric.

"Arsonist at the Arcade" guests at NoCoCon 2025 sing "Happy Birthday" to mystery game character Eli Bethesda (The Birthday Boy)

During the day, a guest picked up a copy of fan-favorite "Murder at the Manor," the 1920s speakeasy game. Dozens of others walked away with business cards, lookbook inspiration, and plans to bring Skills Murder Mysteries into their homes, workplaces, and event spaces.

Connections with other vendors opened the door to future opportunities. From horror conventions to niche pop-ups, the team walked away with leads on new markets and affordable booth spaces.

The sisters give a huge shoutout to Rene, an honorary Skills Sister whose commitment to the brand, both at public and private events, helped make the weekend a success. Another big thanks to Emma, a NoCoCon volunteer and mystery event regular, who made sure everything ran smoothly behind the scenes.

NoCoCon 2025 was a huge leap forward for Skills Murder Mysteries. From launching new products to forging community connections, the experience reinforced the brand’s vision: immersive, inclusive storytelling that brings people together.

And the best part? This is only the beginning.