Small Conventions vs. Large Conventions
There are numerous conventions that take place in Chicago throughout the year which just means there is something for every Nerd out there. That's the great news. The sad news if you are a Major nerd like me and just likes to go to everything to say that you have been to them well then that means you are broke all year.
I thought I would start us off with the smaller cons, which to be honest if you have never done a convention and would just like to break yourself into going to conventions and learning the ins and outs of what a convention is about I would suggest starting with a smaller convention first. They usually tend to have smaller lines, smaller crowds and help you to get to know other people with similar taste. I started going to conventions by going to a specific one the Stargate Con in Chicago. Because of that I met great people who went to other cons that helped me branch out and grow my confidence that allowed me to go to other things and bigger cons and felt more secure when going. So let's get started:
SMALL CONVENTIONS:
Adepticon - is known as the premier celebration of the miniature wargaming hobby! Apparently this is the place to go if you are into Warhammer, Warmachine Hordes X-wing or painting workshops and more. Right now they are looking for a good game masters to run demos, historical events, specialty games, board games, and anything else that makes sense. Submissions are open to the general public for tournaments, event games and demos. You can find out more information on their website the link is on the name. If you are interested in attending this con it is March 31st thru April 3rd will take place at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center.
Chicago Tardis is actually coming up this year on November 27 thru November 29th at the Western Lombard Yorktown Center in Lombard IL. This is strictly a Dr. Who event for all you Dr Who fanatics out there. They have Dr Who guest like Jenna Coleman, they have a auction, photos and autographs, cos-play, mysterious theater, and a reception. This event started in 2000 and has continued since definitely an event for any Dr Who fan!
WindyCon - This one is also in November and takes place the 13th through the 15th of this year at the Westin Yorktown in Lombard in IL. This convention is a science fiction and fantasy literature of writers. This one has panels of published authors with panels as well as kids activities, artist's alley, costumes and exhibitors. Some of the authors this year you can expect are Christopher Moore (one I wish I could get up there to see)
Flashback Weekend - Chicago Horror Convention
Has already occurred for this year it was 8/7-8/9 It is an annual horror convention based in Rosemont IL. It features a dealer's room that has a ton of horror, sci-fi, fantasy, and other merchandise. There are celebrity guest who do the traditional photos and autographs as well as traditional panels. Sometimes they do movie screenings, performances from local Chicago horror-centric acts, a costume contest, Xombie Pinups beauty Pageant, meet and greets with celebrities. This is not always a one time event from my understanding there are several events associated with this group throughout the year.
Chicago Alternative Comic Expo (CAKE) - The last date was June 6 thru 7th of 2015 and the website hasn't posted the dates for next year yet. This con is a weekend long celebration of independent comics, inspired by Chicago's rich legacy as home to many of underground and alternative comic's most talented artist. This con features comics for sales, workshops, exhibitions, panel discussions and more. They do have guest that come most are comic designers, writers and artists.
Chi-fi Convention - Took place on March 19-22 of 2015 it doesn't look like the dates of 2016 are up yet. It looks like a relatively new convention that advertises to be a convention that includes all things geek: Steampunk, Star Wars, Cosplay, Zombies, Doctor Who, Chicago Deep Dish.
Capricon - takes place on February 11-14 of 2016 of next year. It is a local science fiction and fantasy literature and art convention that draws some of the leading names in the industry.
Creation Entertainment Cons - They usually have a Star Trek, Stargate, Teen Wolf, Supernatural, or other specific TV show conventions in the Chicago area throughout the year on the weekends. They are fun, small and have a great chance to learn how a convention works. They usually show you what a panel is like, have a chance to meet actors, give you a chance to do photographs, autographs and sometimes you get the rare chance of meet and greets. If you stay in a hotel and its a smaller convention you can even see the actors and actresses throughout the convention running around which is a cool added bonus. Since they are smaller they do give you the chance to get to know other people with very similar taste as you.
BIG CONVENTIONS
A BIGGER CON and one that I would definitely plan around and have a plan for is Wizard World (I have personally been to this one so can speak from experience)
Wizard World - Chicago (they do have these in other cities)
Wizard World - Bruce Campbell Fest
This time Wizard World will take place August 18-21st 2016 at Donald E Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont IL. They haven't announced any guest (actor or actresses at this time) yet and Bruce Campbell Fest has not been announced for 2016. That being said most of the wizard worlds do have a wide variety of guest from shows ranging from the walking dead, to SHIELD, to Arrow, to Firefly, to Big Bird's voice etc. It is a great way to see numerous different actors and actresses from your favorite shows within the sci-fi community. But it is a HUGE convention and a lot of waiting in lines so wear comfortable shoes. Also if you miss one you can usually catch that actor at another convention at a different city in a different weekend.
Another big convention to attend in Chicago is:
Anime Central - usually takes place in May again in Rosemont in IL registration and more information will be up in October 1st of this year. As of now what Anime Central is: the largest anime, manga and Japanese pop culture convention. Usually held a the Hyatt Regency O'hare, it brings together fans and guest from Japanese and US anime and manga industry. The main focus of this convention is on gaming, cinema and Asian Culture personalities. Some of the things you will find if you attend this convention include a video game room, concerts, dances, educational panels and workshops, premiere screenings, autographs sessions, and tabletop gaming. Not to mention fantastic cosplay from the fellow con goers that attend. This is another huge convention that takes some planning but is very enjoyable if you are into anime, manga or Japanese pop culture.
C2E2 - Chicago's Comic and Entertainment Expo will take place March 18 thru the 20th in 2016 in the South Building at McCormick Place in downtown Chicago. C2E2 is a comic book and pop culture convention that is relatively new to the game. It has continued to grow into an all out celebration of comic/entertainment and geek culture. It does have a huge involvement from Marvel Comics, Valiant Entertainment, Dark Horse Comics, and Lion Forge Comics, It does attract an excellent source of celebrities for its panels and forums. This con has a show floor packed with hundreds of exhibitors and artist alley members to panels autograph sessions and screening rooms featuring sneak peeks at upcoming films and television shows.
Walker Stalker - Chicago (is another con that takes place in other areas as well) In 2016 the dates will be May 28 & May 29. At Navy Pier 600 E Grand Ave, Chicago IL 60611. This is the con that gives the convention goers a chance to meet celebrities from the zombie loving and pop culture community. They usually have a super impressive guest list and a slate of activities and panels. They have a convention in 10 cities across the country and looks as if they even have a cruise next year. This also has a lot of the actors and actress from the walking dead.
This Week:
Now that you know which conventions are out there later this week I will tell you how to prepare for them and which ones I have attended and how to pack, prepare, and survive during a small convention vs. a large convention. Stay tuned as we continue our journey through Chicago
There are numerous conventions that take place in Chicago throughout the year which just means there is something for every Nerd out there. That's the great news. The sad news if you are a Major nerd like me and just likes to go to everything to say that you have been to them well then that means you are broke all year.
I thought I would start us off with the smaller cons, which to be honest if you have never done a convention and would just like to break yourself into going to conventions and learning the ins and outs of what a convention is about I would suggest starting with a smaller convention first. They usually tend to have smaller lines, smaller crowds and help you to get to know other people with similar taste. I started going to conventions by going to a specific one the Stargate Con in Chicago. Because of that I met great people who went to other cons that helped me branch out and grow my confidence that allowed me to go to other things and bigger cons and felt more secure when going. So let's get started:
SMALL CONVENTIONS:
Adepticon - is known as the premier celebration of the miniature wargaming hobby! Apparently this is the place to go if you are into Warhammer, Warmachine Hordes X-wing or painting workshops and more. Right now they are looking for a good game masters to run demos, historical events, specialty games, board games, and anything else that makes sense. Submissions are open to the general public for tournaments, event games and demos. You can find out more information on their website the link is on the name. If you are interested in attending this con it is March 31st thru April 3rd will take place at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center.
Chicago Tardis is actually coming up this year on November 27 thru November 29th at the Western Lombard Yorktown Center in Lombard IL. This is strictly a Dr. Who event for all you Dr Who fanatics out there. They have Dr Who guest like Jenna Coleman, they have a auction, photos and autographs, cos-play, mysterious theater, and a reception. This event started in 2000 and has continued since definitely an event for any Dr Who fan!
WindyCon - This one is also in November and takes place the 13th through the 15th of this year at the Westin Yorktown in Lombard in IL. This convention is a science fiction and fantasy literature of writers. This one has panels of published authors with panels as well as kids activities, artist's alley, costumes and exhibitors. Some of the authors this year you can expect are Christopher Moore (one I wish I could get up there to see)
Flashback Weekend - Chicago Horror Convention
Has already occurred for this year it was 8/7-8/9 It is an annual horror convention based in Rosemont IL. It features a dealer's room that has a ton of horror, sci-fi, fantasy, and other merchandise. There are celebrity guest who do the traditional photos and autographs as well as traditional panels. Sometimes they do movie screenings, performances from local Chicago horror-centric acts, a costume contest, Xombie Pinups beauty Pageant, meet and greets with celebrities. This is not always a one time event from my understanding there are several events associated with this group throughout the year.
Chicago Alternative Comic Expo (CAKE) - The last date was June 6 thru 7th of 2015 and the website hasn't posted the dates for next year yet. This con is a weekend long celebration of independent comics, inspired by Chicago's rich legacy as home to many of underground and alternative comic's most talented artist. This con features comics for sales, workshops, exhibitions, panel discussions and more. They do have guest that come most are comic designers, writers and artists.
Chi-fi Convention - Took place on March 19-22 of 2015 it doesn't look like the dates of 2016 are up yet. It looks like a relatively new convention that advertises to be a convention that includes all things geek: Steampunk, Star Wars, Cosplay, Zombies, Doctor Who, Chicago Deep Dish.
Capricon - takes place on February 11-14 of 2016 of next year. It is a local science fiction and fantasy literature and art convention that draws some of the leading names in the industry.
Creation Entertainment Cons - They usually have a Star Trek, Stargate, Teen Wolf, Supernatural, or other specific TV show conventions in the Chicago area throughout the year on the weekends. They are fun, small and have a great chance to learn how a convention works. They usually show you what a panel is like, have a chance to meet actors, give you a chance to do photographs, autographs and sometimes you get the rare chance of meet and greets. If you stay in a hotel and its a smaller convention you can even see the actors and actresses throughout the convention running around which is a cool added bonus. Since they are smaller they do give you the chance to get to know other people with very similar taste as you.
BIG CONVENTIONS
A BIGGER CON and one that I would definitely plan around and have a plan for is Wizard World (I have personally been to this one so can speak from experience)
Wizard World - Chicago (they do have these in other cities)
Wizard World - Bruce Campbell Fest
This time Wizard World will take place August 18-21st 2016 at Donald E Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont IL. They haven't announced any guest (actor or actresses at this time) yet and Bruce Campbell Fest has not been announced for 2016. That being said most of the wizard worlds do have a wide variety of guest from shows ranging from the walking dead, to SHIELD, to Arrow, to Firefly, to Big Bird's voice etc. It is a great way to see numerous different actors and actresses from your favorite shows within the sci-fi community. But it is a HUGE convention and a lot of waiting in lines so wear comfortable shoes. Also if you miss one you can usually catch that actor at another convention at a different city in a different weekend.
Another big convention to attend in Chicago is:
Anime Central - usually takes place in May again in Rosemont in IL registration and more information will be up in October 1st of this year. As of now what Anime Central is: the largest anime, manga and Japanese pop culture convention. Usually held a the Hyatt Regency O'hare, it brings together fans and guest from Japanese and US anime and manga industry. The main focus of this convention is on gaming, cinema and Asian Culture personalities. Some of the things you will find if you attend this convention include a video game room, concerts, dances, educational panels and workshops, premiere screenings, autographs sessions, and tabletop gaming. Not to mention fantastic cosplay from the fellow con goers that attend. This is another huge convention that takes some planning but is very enjoyable if you are into anime, manga or Japanese pop culture.
C2E2 - Chicago's Comic and Entertainment Expo will take place March 18 thru the 20th in 2016 in the South Building at McCormick Place in downtown Chicago. C2E2 is a comic book and pop culture convention that is relatively new to the game. It has continued to grow into an all out celebration of comic/entertainment and geek culture. It does have a huge involvement from Marvel Comics, Valiant Entertainment, Dark Horse Comics, and Lion Forge Comics, It does attract an excellent source of celebrities for its panels and forums. This con has a show floor packed with hundreds of exhibitors and artist alley members to panels autograph sessions and screening rooms featuring sneak peeks at upcoming films and television shows.
Walker Stalker - Chicago (is another con that takes place in other areas as well) In 2016 the dates will be May 28 & May 29. At Navy Pier 600 E Grand Ave, Chicago IL 60611. This is the con that gives the convention goers a chance to meet celebrities from the zombie loving and pop culture community. They usually have a super impressive guest list and a slate of activities and panels. They have a convention in 10 cities across the country and looks as if they even have a cruise next year. This also has a lot of the actors and actress from the walking dead.
This Week:
Now that you know which conventions are out there later this week I will tell you how to prepare for them and which ones I have attended and how to pack, prepare, and survive during a small convention vs. a large convention. Stay tuned as we continue our journey through Chicago
