Co-founded by Ben Bowman, GCX returns to Universal Orlando Resort this July for its milestone 10th anniversary—bringing together gamers, creators, and families in a purpose-driven celebration that’s raised over $33 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
What started as a casual Tampa meetup has grown into one of gaming’s most inspiring community events. GCX—short for Gaming Community Expo—now draws thousands for two days of unreleased games, live panels, meet-and-greets, and a private Universal afterparty, all in support of the Gaming Does Good mission.
With past guests like KingGothalion, ProfessorBroman, and Darkness429, and one of the highest creator-to-attendee ratios in the industry, GCX is more than an expo—it’s a movement.
We spoke directly with GCX co-founder Ben Bowman to reflect on a decade of growth, the heart behind the mission, and what attendees can look forward to in 2025.
Personal, Founder, & Balance
Did you ever imagine GCX would become what it is now? What’s surprised you most about its growth?
Never in a million years did I expect our event to end up at Universal Studios Orlando, but it’s proof that building with your community in mind will take you places you’d never expect! I’m continuously surprised and overjoyed at the creators, brands and community members who push us forward into new and better things!
What are you most looking forward to at GCX 2025—an event, a moment, or simply the community vibe?
In 2025, I’m looking forward to seeing the joy on folks’ faces as long time friends get a chance to connect in person for the first time.
Is there a particularly tough challenge from the past decade that stands out, and how did you overcome it?
Covid certainly added many layers of complexity to how we operated, but we rose to the occasion by elevating our virtual events and trying some new and experimental ways to get our community together online. Our community showed us that even under the most unique circumstances, we could keep changing the world for the better together.
What’s your top advice for anyone dreaming of launching their own community-focused event?
My #1 piece of advice is to keep the community in focus at all times. Listen to feedback, let things evolve, and don’t dogmatically chase your own vision. A good event is co-created alongside the community!
Moments & Memories
Share a GCX moment you’ll never forget.
The first year we raised over $1,000,000 for St. Jude is a moment I’ll never forget. Right before we hit the milestone, we were at like $999,500 or something, the community was so excited they crashed Tiltify, so we all held our breath staring at the total for hours waiting for the donations to come back online. I’ll never forget the hype when the moment finally arrived.
Is there an attendee or community story that still inspires you today?
For me, Destiny bringing out The Big Show in 2019 to hand out the first Destiny World First Raid title belts is a moment I’ll absolutely never forget!
Was there a point when you realized just how powerful the GCX community could be?
The very first year, when we put together the fundraiser and raised over $500,000 in a week I knew we had something special! These past 10 years has been proof of that, and I cannot wait to see what the next 10 years brings.
How does it feel to know you’re helping make a real difference for others through GCX, especially in a world where it’s easy to get caught up in daily life?
It’s a constant source of inspiration and drive. When the future is on the line, it keeps me focused.
Has your experience with GCX changed the way you see generosity or what gaming communities can accomplish?
GCX has affirmed to me that the gaming community is truly unmatched when it comes to mobilizing around a cause. I am looking forward to seeing how we work together to achieve the long term goal I set for us 10 years ago, to see over 10% of the annual fundraising needs of St. Jude met from the gaming space. We’ve got a long way to go, but the path is clear and we’ll get there together!
How has working with St. Jude and focusing on charity influenced your own life or business philosophy?
The team at St. Jude has shown me that keeping the mission front and center makes decision making simple. Boiling down any challenge into, “What will best serve the patients and families at St. Jude,” provides a wonderful lens to look at solutions.
When it comes to fundraising, do you set specific goals each year? How do you keep the community motivated to reach them?
Each year, we set a goal of $1,000,000 as a starting point. Many years we’ve seen those goals surpassed in great fashion. Lucky for us, St. Jude does SO MANY incredible things that there is an endless array of things to connect with and motivate us. From reminding folks that no family will ever receive a bill from St. Jude, to world class research fueling the next innovations in treatment, it’s easy for us all to stay motivated.
For those who think gaming is “just entertainment,” can you share a story that demonstrates GCX’s real-world impact?
Gaming is art, and art drives human connection. We see this in the faces of our community members as they run to embrace friends they’ve known online for years, meeting in person for the first time. We see it in the families that come together to share their love of gaming with each other. We see it during the many marriage proposals we’ve had during our event. These are moments that change the direction of lives for the better and we are so honored to be a part of it!
Wrap-Up
If there are any questions you’d prefer to skip, that’s absolutely fine. Is there anything else you’d like to add, or a closing thought you want to share with our community?
My personal goal in starting GCX was to provide a moment in time anyone who enjoys gaming could point to and say, “This is proof gaming is so much more than a hobby, it’s a way to connect and make the world a better place,” and honestly, I think we have accomplished that goal.
I’d love for anyone reading this to come be part of that moment! So whether it’s online during our charity marathon at twitch.tv/gcxevent July 14th–21st, or in person at Universal Orlando Resort July 25th and 26th, we cannot wait to see ya!
Thanks again for sharing your story and all the work you do for gamers and families everywhere!
GCX has become much more than a convention—it’s a celebration of everything gaming can be when passion, purpose, and people come together. Whether you’re attending for the first time or returning for your tenth, GCX 2025 promises connection, excitement, and the chance to be part of something bigger.
Don’t forget: the event runs July 25–26, with the charity marathon streaming online from July 14–21. Grab your pass here and help prove once again that Gaming Does Good.
For more behind-the-scenes insight into the gaming industry, don’t miss our recent interview with insider Ben Granados: Catching Up with Ben Granados – A Gaming Insider’s Take on Today’s Trends.
Written by Ronny Fiksdahl, Founder & Editor of Fix Gaming Channel.
