A few of us Hypable staff members have been attending Indy PopCon and singing its praises since its inception back in 2014. Why? Well it all boils down to a handful of reasons.
We could spend all day long telling you why we love Indy PopCon or what cool things and cosplays we saw this year (there were many), but that doesn’t really tell you why you should choose this convention over other conventions.
All conventions have cool stuff. It’s the reason we all go. But if you’re looking for a great convention, you have to look at the nuts and bolts. The most basic aspects. Oftentimes, it’s the simplest things that end up being the most important.
So, I thought about everything I love about Indy PopCon and boiled it all down to the most important aspects of what makes PopCon… well… PopCon.
Ready? Here it goes.
1. It’s a locally-run grassroots convention
Because conventions are more popular now than they ever have been in the past, there are more people trying to profit off of them than ever. That means that a lot of conventions (my guess would actually be most conventions) are run by large companies. That’s great for getting big names in the door, but the events themselves can feel really impersonal.
Indy PopCon is one of the exceptions to this new rule. The convention (which came to life thanks to a Kickstarter campaign back in 2014) is run by a group of passionate people who want to bring the best of what geekdom can offer to the people in their community. They’re in tune with what their attendees want and like because they know them as people, not numbers. There’s just a huge difference in atmosphere between a convention run by a national company and one that’s run by locals.
2. The convention boasts a community that’s active all year round
When I say the Indy PopCon community is active all year round, I mean it. Both attendees and organizers are in almost constant contact year round through the convention’s official Facebook page as well as the fan group. Whether it’s discussing the convention that just ended, the one that’s coming up, potential guests, cosplay projects, or the most recent pop culture news, the PopCon online spaces are always buzzing.
The community doesn’t just connect year-round online, however. They’re also constantly getting together for other local conventions and events, game nights, acting classes… You name it. Attend Indy PopCon just once and you become part of the family. They’re just the nicest and most inviting people on the planet. I’ll never forget being invited by total strangers last year to play Werewolf and having the time of my life.
3. Everybody knows everybody, from attendees to exhibitors to staff
Have I mentioned how friendly everyone is? Well it’s that friendliness, combined with the convention’s local focus, that has created an atmosphere without hierarchy. What do I mean by that? Everyone knows and talks to everyone by name regardless of if they’re an attendee or staff member. Attendees speak to organizers and staff members like old friends and vice versa. The organizers make themselves accessible to attendees and really get to know the people who make their convention possible.
4. They have special events going on every night of the convention
Most conventions have the standard “we tried to make this geeky but it’s really just a DJ playing a room” Saturday night party. Which is fine. For a lot of us who aren’t big on partying, it can be a bit overwhelming and intimidating. Or just not something we’d consider fun. And it’s only one night.
PopCon is different. They have all different kinds of events over the entire weekend. For instance, this year’s lineup included a YouTuber event, a screening of Revenge of the Nerds with two of the movie’s stars, and a Saturday night party that featured Five Year Mission, a super fun Star Trek tribute band. Indy Popcon doesn’t just throw generic parties like other conventions. Theirs are specifically catered to the geekiest of us all.
Related: Going Home: A love letter to Indy PopCon
5. Indy PopCon caters to areas of fandom not often recognized by big conventions
While other conventions book the same TV and movie stars, Indy PopCon works a bit differently. Internet and YouTube stars, as well as voice artists and classic pop culture icons, are the VIPs every year at Indy PopCon. This convention likes to cater to those who haven’t been catered to much before. Not only that, but a large amount of the guests invited to the convention every year are requested by the convention attendees.
6. They have a free autographing stage
That’s right. I said free. One of the perks of being a smaller convention with notable internet and YouTube guests is that they can listen to the guests who don’t want to charge for autographs. These guests, instead of signing at normal tables with giant price signs, can sign altogether on a stage and take their time with their fans. It’s a pretty sweet setup if I do say so myself.
7. You don’t spend hours of your con time waiting in line
It’s not a tiny convention by any means, but Indy PopCon is just small enough where there are few to no lines. Anywhere. For panels, autographs, photo ops… Nada. You’ll be able to spend more time enjoying yourself in the Main Hall or among fellow cosplayers and much less time standing (or sitting) in line.
Related: Indy PopCon 2017: When it comes to conventions, don’t be afraid to start local
8. You have room to move and breathe
Indy PopCon has come a long way in its four years of existence. It’s not a tiny event, but it’s not so large that you’re faced with crazy crowds and walls of people. While there’s a ton to see and do every day of the convention, you don’t have to worry about constantly bumping into or snaking your way around people. The aisles in the main hall are always generously wide and the crowds are manageable. As a PopCon attendee, you’re able to see everything you want comfortably.
9. The staff really cares about what they’re doing and the people they’re doing it for
I’m not going to lie: When I first started going to Indy PopCon, I felt kind of special for knowing some of the people running it. But the thing of it is that I’m not the only one who does. The staff invests itself in every single one of its attendees. They listen intently to feedback, questions, and comments and make themselves available to meet and talk to anyone and everyone. When guests of Indy PopCon talk about the organizers, they speak of them (and even to them) as friends.
10. Indy PopCon is the only convention where Hypable has a booth!
Just thought I’d throw that out there in case anyone would like to come meet some of us in person and buy some of our geeky swag. But I guess if that isn’t your thing, you can always watch our PopCon shenanigans from afar via our Instagram. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯