Our Story
About Tejas Spiel
Every Great Community Begins with a Shared Experience
At Tejas Spiel, we believe tabletop gaming has the power to build communities. What begins around a game table can become something much larger—friendships, traditions, and a sense of belonging that extends far beyond a single event.
Tejas Spiel was created from that belief.
What started as a dream to build a welcoming tabletop convention in the heart of Texas quickly became something more: an opportunity to create experiences that connect people, strengthen local communities, and support meaningful causes.
Why Tejas Spiel?
Spiel is our homage to SPIEL Essen, the world-renowned gathering that has helped generations of players discover games, creators, and ideas from across the tabletop community.
Tejas represents our commitment to Texas—the people, places, and tabletop communities that make this state home. The word's historical roots in the Caddo word for friend or ally add meaningful context, but our name was chosen first to express a distinctly Texas convention with a deep respect for the wider world of tabletop gaming.
Our long-term vision is to support the conventions already bringing players together, partner with organizers who are strengthening their communities, and help new tabletop communities and conventions grow throughout Texas.
Seguin is where our journey begins, but it isn't where the vision ends.
Three Ideas at the Heart of Tejas Spiel
Every decision we make, every space we design, and every experience we create is inspired by three simple ideas that define what Tejas Spiel is all about.
Discover
Discover new games, creators, communities, and experiences—from modern board games and role-playing adventures to independent designers and the makers, publishers, and retailers of Merchant Alley.
Connect
The best part of tabletop gaming isn't what is on the table, but who is around it. Here, strangers become friends, families create traditions, and communities grow stronger through experiences shared together.
Give Back
A convention should make an impact beyond the weekend by supporting charities, community organizations, volunteers, local businesses, and the host community that welcomes us.
Friends Be Foes
Behind every great experience is a team committed to making it possible.
Friends Be Foes is the organization behind Tejas Spiel. Founded on the belief that shared experiences build stronger communities, Friends Be Foes exists to create opportunities for people to discover new passions, build lasting friendships, and give back to the communities they call home.
Tejas Spiel is the first expression of that mission. By bringing together gamers, families, creators, charities, volunteers, local businesses, and community partners, we hope to create more than a convention—we're building an ecosystem where communities can grow together through shared experiences.
Tejas Spiel is only the beginning. As that vision grows, Friends Be Foes will continue supporting new partnerships, experiences, and future events that strengthen tabletop communities across Texas.
Supporting the Community Beyond the Convention
Building stronger communities doesn't begin when the doors open, and it shouldn't end when the weekend is over.
To support that vision, Friends Be Foes is developing Apiary Engagement, a community platform designed to help people discover events, connect with others, support local organizations, and continue building relationships throughout the year.
Tejas Spiel is where those ideas come together, but the goal is to strengthen communities long before and long after every event.
The Hive Framework
The Hive Framework is how Tejas Spiel comes to life.
Every space within the convention has a unique purpose, yet each works together to create one connected experience. Inspired by the collaboration found within a hive, these villages encourage attendees to discover new experiences, connect with others, and give back to the community.
Play
The Hive begins at the table. Open gaming, hot games, family experiences, roleplaying adventures, and casual gatherings create opportunities for everyone to participate.
Explore
The Hive encourages discovery. Learn a new game, meet a designer, visit a vendor, discover a playtest, or experience something unexpected.
Connect
The Hive helps people find their table. Whether meeting new friends or reconnecting with familiar faces, every interaction strengthens our community.
Challenge
The Hive inspires growth through competition, creativity, learning, problem-solving, and shared achievement.
Give Back
The Hive extends beyond the convention. Through charitable partnerships and community initiatives, every attendee helps create a positive impact.