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fan expo philadephia
Where to start...
Fan Expo Philadelphia 2022 kicked off at the top with a very high bar / standard set. Could not wait until 2023 to see how it would evolve. 2023: Wow and completely FUCKING INCREDIBLE!!!! Fan Expo is so much more than a comic con. Focusing on everyone (guests / celebrities / exhibitors / vendors / everyone in general) having the best possible experience. 2022 showed what the event is. 2023 proved it and much more.
Starting with special Thanks to Jerry Milani those involved with approving press. Not kissing ass here. After 2022, Fan Expo Philadelphia is one of the TOP EVENTS for my media every year (Philadelphia / NYC), only being honest.
Need to mention VaultFox (cosplay guest). She made time to have a great conversation with me on several topics. Special Thanks to Maggie Robertson (voice actress). After attending her panel discussion, decided to drop some cash for a photo. Honestly, didn't plan on photo with any celebrities. Having a "I am not above the fans" attitude goes a very long way with me.
Learned from 2022: Saturday, get the layout / when possible, talk to some exhibitors. Sunday, Photos / video article / feedback from guests / exhibitors. Followed the pattern for 2023. Saturday is when everyone is there. All celebrities / vendors / special guests / you get the point. Also, busiest day due to stated reasons. 2022 also learned attack plan: start at 1 wall / work over to far end. This year, main floor had a couple of surprises.
Tattoo Alley added another aspect to variety. Saturday / Sunday I did observe every artist busy. No, I didn't get one (this year...). Walking through Artist Alley, it appeared larger this year. I was right. Speaking with someone involved with Fan Expo confirmed it. Moving Photo Ops downstairs (Fan Expo Philadelphia is 2 levels), made room for expansion / new ideas.
This leads to 1 of 2 setbacks I observed: Walking on lower level to a panel, major traffic jam! I think it was the Back to the Future Photo Op (all 3 actors). Literally, serious traffic jam between people for photo op / everyone trying to get through. Staff was doing their best to organize for photo op while playing traffic cop.
2nd setback? Food court. Saturday, was thinking about spending extra cash and grab a quick bite there. Line was very long. Speaking with a few people: "Everyone should expect it at a major event". Ok, completely agree on that one. Other people: "I just took a break and hit a local spot." Leading to final, major, point...
The major aspect I noticed this year: Instead of having 1 after party and maybe another event, Fan Expo reached out to local businesses for expanding the event. Local bagel shop for morning (pre-event) meetups. Great way to start the day. KPop After Party at Brooklyn Bowl and more. In addition to doing their best for everyone involved, community is another important aspect of Fan Expo Philadelphia.
More Special Thanks: Staff / Security (excellent job making everyone feel safe while staying on perimeter) / everyone at Fan Expo for an incredible event!!!!! Sunday (final day) already was looking forward to 2024. Depending on minimum for sponsorship / budget, FireCity Illusion might be a sponsor.
Scroll down for photos / 2-part video article and tour.
Fan Expo Philadelphia 2022 kicked off at the top with a very high bar / standard set. Could not wait until 2023 to see how it would evolve. 2023: Wow and completely FUCKING INCREDIBLE!!!! Fan Expo is so much more than a comic con. Focusing on everyone (guests / celebrities / exhibitors / vendors / everyone in general) having the best possible experience. 2022 showed what the event is. 2023 proved it and much more.
Starting with special Thanks to Jerry Milani those involved with approving press. Not kissing ass here. After 2022, Fan Expo Philadelphia is one of the TOP EVENTS for my media every year (Philadelphia / NYC), only being honest.
Need to mention VaultFox (cosplay guest). She made time to have a great conversation with me on several topics. Special Thanks to Maggie Robertson (voice actress). After attending her panel discussion, decided to drop some cash for a photo. Honestly, didn't plan on photo with any celebrities. Having a "I am not above the fans" attitude goes a very long way with me.
Learned from 2022: Saturday, get the layout / when possible, talk to some exhibitors. Sunday, Photos / video article / feedback from guests / exhibitors. Followed the pattern for 2023. Saturday is when everyone is there. All celebrities / vendors / special guests / you get the point. Also, busiest day due to stated reasons. 2022 also learned attack plan: start at 1 wall / work over to far end. This year, main floor had a couple of surprises.
Tattoo Alley added another aspect to variety. Saturday / Sunday I did observe every artist busy. No, I didn't get one (this year...). Walking through Artist Alley, it appeared larger this year. I was right. Speaking with someone involved with Fan Expo confirmed it. Moving Photo Ops downstairs (Fan Expo Philadelphia is 2 levels), made room for expansion / new ideas.
This leads to 1 of 2 setbacks I observed: Walking on lower level to a panel, major traffic jam! I think it was the Back to the Future Photo Op (all 3 actors). Literally, serious traffic jam between people for photo op / everyone trying to get through. Staff was doing their best to organize for photo op while playing traffic cop.
2nd setback? Food court. Saturday, was thinking about spending extra cash and grab a quick bite there. Line was very long. Speaking with a few people: "Everyone should expect it at a major event". Ok, completely agree on that one. Other people: "I just took a break and hit a local spot." Leading to final, major, point...
The major aspect I noticed this year: Instead of having 1 after party and maybe another event, Fan Expo reached out to local businesses for expanding the event. Local bagel shop for morning (pre-event) meetups. Great way to start the day. KPop After Party at Brooklyn Bowl and more. In addition to doing their best for everyone involved, community is another important aspect of Fan Expo Philadelphia.
More Special Thanks: Staff / Security (excellent job making everyone feel safe while staying on perimeter) / everyone at Fan Expo for an incredible event!!!!! Sunday (final day) already was looking forward to 2024. Depending on minimum for sponsorship / budget, FireCity Illusion might be a sponsor.
Scroll down for photos / 2-part video article and tour.
Review Part 1
Review Part 2
