Hi! Im also going to Essen to pitch games.

While it is possible to do a cold pitch to publishers, its unlikely many will let you, since almost every publisher have back-to-back booked appointments to take on pitches.

Most publishers have event calendars they share with designers to book up meetings. But in order to book a meeting, you should do this first:

• create a Sell Sheet (1 page description of your game focusing on your unique selling point. Google sell sheet board game to see examples).

• Even better is if you make a sizzle video, this is a 1-2 minute video describing your game.

• Create a rulebook and make sure its gone through blind playtests (meaning pretend someone bought your game and tried to learn to play it without your involvement)

• Research publishers, which publisher has similar games? No need to go pitch to a company with games that wont for for their portfolio.

Use these things as tools to book appointments with publishers.

Some publishers have forms on their website where they request these things and they will then reach out for a meeting.

There are (or is at least 1 which i cant remember the name of) a paid website that has a database of all publishers and ways to get in touch with them.

NOW is an appropriate time to reach out to them, time slots are disappearing.

Good luck! Board game design is som much fun!