If you look closely enough, it's clear that tabletop gaming is experiencing a glorious renaissance. Gaming conventions like GenCon and DragonCon now draw more attendees than a traditionally huge game-related show like E3, while other gaming shows like PAX and GX devote vast areas of the show to tabletop pursuits.

Nontraditional outlets like Target and Barnes & Noble are now carrying decidedly serious board games like Agricola and 7 Wonders. To top it all off, the Geek & Sundry YouTube channel just completed its inaugural season of its widely popular gaming show, TableTop. The buzz grew over the 20 episode season, with new viewers tuning in every other week to watch celebrities play board games. And, to date, the end result is nearly eight million views – all generated by word of mouth and a powerful testament to the power of the human connection in tabletop gaming.

Now, it's time to take tabletop gaming's popularity to the next level. Beginning on March 30th of this year, there will be an annual International TableTop Day, a day to celebrate board games and tabletop gaming and play games with colleagues, family, and friends.

"We're trying to build on the buzz and excitement of what we've done with TableTop and take it to the next level," says TableTop associate producer, Boyan Radakovich.

Festivities for the day are initially being organized by Geek & Sundry and their plans are ambitious. A new website has been developed to help coordinate games on International TableTop Day. If your company, gaming group, or friendly local game store will be hosting games, sign up and let others find you via an interactive map.

Retailers can sign up and receive promotional materials like posters, window clings, and some very special bonus game materials. If you're hosting a game at your home for family and friends, you can sign up too. While your address won't be listed on the map, you'll still be eligible to receive some awesome e-swag.

Radakovich says that TableTop has been especially popular with kids and new gamers, who learn how to play games while watching the episodes. However, what to do next is the challenge for these new players. "Finding a game group can be tough," says the show's associate producer. "There's really no infrastructure for finding a group to play with. We want to help empower gamers to connect with each other."

The best part is, there's no experience necessary. If you've never been to a gaming convention before or haven't played a game since CandyLand, you are absolutely welcome to join in the festivities. As any longtime gamer can attest, tabletop gamers are a very friendly bunch and are almost always welcoming to extra players at their tables. Just walk up and ask if they need another player.

In the coming weeks leading up to International TableTop Day, we'll be providing you with more information on hosting your own game night, helping you find the best games, and more.

But, in the meantime, help us out! Mark March 30th on your calendars and begin getting the word out. Recruit your gaming friends and invite at least a couple people who haven't played board games in a while or may never have rolled a die or moved a meeple.

For the Twitter-savvy, use the hashtag #TabletopDay to keep everyone tied in and be sure to visit the International TableTop Day Web site and help fill the map with events. For more information on the event, watch Felicia Day's announcement in the video, above. If you look closely there are some new games on the wall behind her. Could this mean a deal for a second season of TableTop has been reached? Hopefully, another TableTop announcement will be coming soon!