So the dates for Gen Con are as follows:
Event Submission: Open NOW! If you want to run a game(s) go submit ASAP!
Badge Pre-Registration: Friday, January 23 at noon (Eastern).
Hotel Registration: Sunday, January 25 at noon (Eastern).
Event Registration: Sunday, May 17. Most likely opens at noon (Eastern) if going by previous years counts for anything. Also, the event catalog will probably open up May 10, so you get a week to pick your events and set up your schedule. Finally, make sure you are sitting at your computer mashing the F5 key on May 17 to get into the events you want because they will sell out immediately!