For those of us fortunate enough to have attended LeakyCon, we just spent the past weekend in the Hilton Chicago, surrounded by other LeakyCon-ers toting the red messenger bags, armfuls of merchandise, and lots of cups of coffee. But, before the conference began, the countdown to LeakyCon 2013 began.

The incredible LeakyCon staff teased the location early last week and announced last Wednesday that they will host LeakyCon 2013 in Portland, Oregon. While it may seem like a random location – neither as big a city as Chicago nor near a Potter-related landmark – the Internet exploded with enthusiasm.

At the Leaving Feast Sunday afternoon, they dropped a second surprise: LeakyCon was not only planning one conference for next summer, but two: Portland, Oregon and London, England.

As this is their first international convention, there will be some major differences at the London convention than if it was stateside.

1. A different nationality of attendees.

LeakyCon had roughly 4,000 participants this year. To estimate, it would be easy to say that 3,000 were American, and 1,000 were international – Canadian, English and Australian to name a few of the more well-represented countries. In London, the majority, I say with confidence, will be British, then other Europeans who perhaps could not afford to travel to America or take the time to, will descend onto the conference’s location (which is still to be announced, as well as cost of ticket prices). A small minority will be American. Will it be because not that many Americans will be able to travel to England, or because they’ll choose to just attend Portland? The answer to that question will be unknown until after both conferences.

2. The Studio Tour will be the main outside attraction.

For the past few years, Orlando, Florida has been the target location of many Harry Potter fans’ vacations. With the announcement of an expansion on the Orlando park, and Los Angeles’ own park, we’ve been pacing in anticipation, waiting for the days we can attend Hogwarts on the west coast and explore what more the Orlando park has to offer. But, London won’t be getting a theme park any time soon because it has the real thing: sets and props used from the actual movies. The WB London Studio Tour opened to the public early this year and has since proven to be a big hit with fans. With Butterbeer available to purchase and the real Great Hall just waiting to be explored, LeakyCon London will undoubtedly offer to take you to the Leavesden Studios lot for the Tour.

3. The panels and topics will be different.

A lot changes in a year. While there was a discussion about what The Casual Vacancy will be about this year, there will probably be a panel analyzing The Casual Vacancy next year. Also expect panels on parallels in J.K. Rowling’s writing from children’s to adult literature, or pointing out the similarities between Harry Potter and The Casual Vacancy. This year there was an international attendees meet up, and next year there will probably be one too — but that would include Americans rather than Britons. In addition, we expect different topics that will appeal to a European audience. For example, a BBC fan panel should be in the cards!

4. More actors from the movies.

Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood), Louis Cordice (Blaise Zabini), Robbie Jarvis (Young James Potter), and William Melling (Nigel Wolpert) were the special guests from the movies at this year’s conference. While two-time attendee Evanna appears to be a Harry Potter fan first and actress second, other lesser-known actors and actresses seemingly pop up from nowhere to be fawned over by fans. Next year we could anticipate more actors from the movies to be able to attend.

5. New vendors and performers.

Lots of vendors have become a staple of Harry Potter conventions like Alivan’s, DFTBA Records, and the International Quidditch Association to name a few. Many of them are sure to be in both Portland and London, but vendors who haven’t before had the opportunity can now attend the London conference boasting new merchandise for fans, whether it be shirts, posters, jewelry, or other goods. Additionally, and this plays more into the scheduling rather than location, different “Wrockers” and performers will be able to attend London instead of Portland (and of course vice versa).

Despite all the differences, the convention is sure to still be about the fandom, the friendships within it, and the memories made together. Over the four day conference, you may forget to eat three full meals, shower only when absolutely necessary, and become way too sleep deprived, but none of that matters when it comes down to it: you get to have a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Will you be attending LeakyCon in either London or Portland next year?