MegaCon | |
---|---|
Status | Active |
Genre | Speculative fiction |
Venue | Orange County Convention Center |
Location(s) | Orlando, Florida |
Coordinates | 28°25′33″N 81°27′54″W / 28.42583°N 81.46500°W |
Country | United States |
Inaugurated | Spring 1993 |
Most recent | March 30, 2023 |
Next event | February 1, 2024 |
Attendance | >160,000 in March 2023 |
Organized by | Fan Expo HQ/Informa Connect |
Filing status | For-profit |
Website | fanexpohq |
MegaCon, short for Mega Convention, is a large speculative fiction convention that caters to the comic book, sci-fi, anime, fantasy, RPG, and gaming communities, often occurring in spring at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. The convention is the largest fan convention event in the Southern United States and second largest in North America with an attendance of 160,000 recorded in 2023.
History
Founding
The first comic book convention held in the Orlando area was OrlandoCon, held annually from 1974 to c. 1994. Regular guests included C. C. Beck, Floyd Gottfredson, and Hal Foster.[1] MegaCon was founded by James Breitbiel and first held in 1993 at the Orlando Expo Center (Now the UCF Center for Emerging Media).[2] The convention was acquired by the Tampa-based publisher CrossGen in 1999,[3] with Elizabeth Widera brought on to run the show in 2000 and Breitbiel moving on to become CrossGen's Marketing and Distribution Director.[3] During this period, from 2000 to 2003, MegaCon heavily promoted CrossGen products as the show continued to grow.[4][5] After being the venue once in 1997, the Orange County Convention Center has since 2001, been the host of the convention. The new location allowed MegaCon to be the home of the long-running "Paranoia LIVE!" from 2001 to 2019. LARP, based on Mongoose Publishing's Paranoia.[6] In 2002, the logo was changed to one with rounded rectangular letters with a capital "G" in lowercase size.
2003 introduced after hours entertainment at the convention. This expanded to offsite locations in 2006. In late 2003, Widera purchased the convention from the failing CrossGen, which was restructuring[5] (the publisher went bankrupt in 2004). Widera, who is a board member of the comics charity The Hero Initiative, currently runs the show along with her daughter Christine Alger.[2]
In 2007, MegaCon hosted the first live presentation of the Web Cartoonists' Choice Awards.[7] This was followed in August 2008 with the convention hosting the first inaugural Project Fanboy Awards ceremony, awarding authors, writers and publishers with honors voted on by Internet users on the Project Fanboy website.[8] Following 2009, the Project Fanboy Awards event was discontinued.
In September 2008, MegaCon headquarters moved from Safety Harbor to Live Oak, Florida, although the actual convention remains in Orlando.[9] In 2009, in addition to the main show, held February 27–March 1, convention organizers produced a "mini-MegaCon" held August 22–23 featuring a number of actors from the Buffy the Vampire Slayer TV show.[10]
Fan Expo
On April 7, 2015, it was announced that MegaCon had been sold to Informa. The con now operates under the auspices of Informa's Fan Expo group, although it has maintained the MegaCon branding.[11][12] Following MegaCon 2015 it was announced that for the first time MegaCon will be extended to 4 days in 2016.[13] as well as another mini-MegaCon event, "MegaCon Fan Days" in November 21–22, 2015.[14] Shortly after MegaCon 2016, MegaCon Tampa Bay was announced for October 28–30.[15] MegaCon Tampa last happened in 2018 and has not returned since due to the increasing sizes of convention rivals Tampa Bay Comic Con and Metrocon as well as the size limitations of the Tampa Convention Center. Stan Lee made a surprise appearance at MegaCon Tampa Bay 2017, his last at MegaCon, to raise funds for those affected by Hurricane Irma weeks prior.[16]
Post-Covid
The 2020 event was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Initially planned to be held April 16–19 and June 4–7, it was replaced by a smaller "limited edition" "mini-MegaCon" restricted to 25,000 in attendance with the next main event to be held on March 18–21, 2021. These dates were also cancelled with the next date, August 12–15 being a return to operations, though masks were mandated.[17] During Covid, the show's website was redesigned with a new logo introduced as part of a larger rebranding of FanExpo with the text forming an arch. The 2021 event was plagued with many guest cancellations due to pandemic-caused filming conflicts affecting many including Elijah Wood, Brendan Fraser, and James Marsters who were to be among the headline celebrities of the event.[18]
2022 featured a return to normal operations with Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Dominic Monaghan, and Billy Boyd, the Hobbits of the Lord of the Rings, reuniting on stage as well as Kevin Smith and Jason Mewes of the Jay and Silent Bob show, Brendan Fraser, and Gina Carano being other highlight guest appearances. MegaCon inaugurated FanExpo's partnership with virtual auction site WhatNot, featuring a Virtual MegaCon with virtual celebrity signings, comic artist sketch streams, and streams of cosplay contests, as well as a WhatNot booth.[19] Numerous traffic issues in the surrounding areas due to record attendance reached local news headlines.[20] Several tiers of tickets including family packages and youth tickets were sold out on Saturday. Surpassing Comic Con International's attendance cap of 130,000, MegaCon became the second most attended fan convention in the United States after New York Comic Con. The last day of the 2022 convention hosted a memorial service for the late comic artist George Perez, who was a frequent guest at the convention.[21]
2023 introduced advanced paid parking from several parking lots as well as shuttles to the convention as a way to alleviate traffic issues.[22] A Wednesday pre-launch party was added to the afterhours party line up at ICON Park. The floor plan also took over the entire North/South concourse for the first time. Tickets for the 2024 event went on sale the day after the 2023 event ended, a change in tradition from tickets going on sale 5–6 months prior to the event.
Dates and guests
Notability Guidelines for listing guests
- Actors and voice actors are to be listed.
- Comic guests may be listed only if listed on MegaCon website or noted to have attended pre-2000.
- Youtubers may be listed only if they have reached the 100,000 subscribers eligible for a Silver Creator Award.
- Music performers may be listed if on MegaCon website as a guest.
- Book Authors may be listed only if on MegaCon website as a guest.
- Cosplay guests, tattoo artists, other artists, and retailers may not be listed.
- Guests partnered with vendor booths may be listed if they are actors/voice actors, renowned comic creators, or have met the 1 million subscribers eligible for a Gold Creator Award.
'90s and 2000s
Early Years and CrossGen
Dates | Official guests | Building | Notes | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Spring 1993 | Orlando Expo Center | |||||||
Spring 1994 | George Perez | Orlando Expo Center | ||||||
Spring 1995 | Howard Chaykin, Dick Giordano, Gil Kane, Joe Madureira, Almando Rodriguez, Eric Silvestri, Tim Townsend | Orlando Expo Center | ||||||
March 8–10, 1996 | John Beatty, Howard Chaykin, Terry Collins, Amanda Conner, Kevin Conrad, Tony Daniel, Dick Giordano, Adam Hughes, Joe Jusko, Trent Kaniuga, Frank Lopez, Joe Madureira, Todd McFarlane, Martin Nodell, Jimmy Palmiotti, George Pérez, Joe Quesada, John Romita Sr., Brian Stelfreeze, William Stout, Tim Townsend, William Tucci, Ethan Van Sciver[23] | Orlando Expo Center | 10,000 attendees [24] | |||||
March 15–16, 1997 | Matt "Batt" Banning, Jason Baumgartner, John Beatty, Joe Benitez, Brett Booth, Rick Buckler, Jr., Greg Capullo, Ricky Carralero, Peter Chung, Scott Ciencin, Tony Daniel, Peter David, Jose Delbo, Jordi Ensign, Dick Giordano, Jack Gray, Randy Green, Jim Harrison, Everette Hartsoe, Don Hillsman, Robb Horan, Steven Hughes, Chad Hunt, Jason Jenson, Tom Joyner, Josue Justiniano, Ray Lago, Bob Layton, Jon Lewis, Chris Leidenfrost, Steve Lieber, Rob Liefeld, David W. Mack, Joe Madureira, Bill Marimon, Nathan Massengill, Todd McFarlane, Dave Megill, Jude Millien, Shelly Moldoff, Jim Mooney, Mark Morales, Mart Nodell, Dark One, Mike Okamoto, Jeff Parker, Dan Parsons, George Perez, Don Perlin, Brandon Peterson, Tom Peyer, Richard Pini, Wendy Pini, Jeff Pittarelli, Brian Pulido, Humberto Ramos, John Romita Sr., Jessica Ruffner, Charles William Satterlee, Julius Schwartz, Steve Scott, Howard Shum, Alex Simmons, Slick, Louis Small, Jr., Arne Starr, J. Michael Straczynski, Naser Subashi, Eman Torre, Tim Townsend, William Tucci, Brad Vancatta, Dexter Vines, The Ultimate Warrior, Mitch Waxman, Jeff Whiting, Xavier[25][26] | West Concourse Hall C | ||||||
March 13–15, 1998 | Actors: Robin Downs, Stephen Furst, Jonathan Harris[27]
|
Orlando Expo Center | 11,500 attendees | |||||
March 5–7, 1999 | Actors: Alley Baggett, Angela Cartwright, Gerard Christopher, Richard Herd, Marta Kristen, DeDe Lind, Janet Luppo, Alisha Oreskovich, Butch Patrick, Debbie Rochon, Brinke Stevens, Paris Themmen, Victoria Zdrok[28]
|
Orlando Expo Center | 14,000 attendees [29] | |||||
March 31-April 2, 2000 | Actors: Gloria-Anne Gilbert, Mark Goddard, Jennifer LaVoie, Sable, Richard A. Searfoss, Paris Themmen, Nicole Wood[30]
|
Orlando Expo Center | 20,000 attendees [31] Last show at Orlando Expo Center | |||||
March 2–4, 2001 | Actors: Amber Benson, Richard Biggs, Nicholas Brendon, Conrad Brooks, Phil Brown, Jason Carter, Angela Cartwright, Mike Edmonds, Mark Goddard, Jonathan Harris, William Hootkins, Marta Kristen, Richard LeParmentier, June Lockhart, Bob May, Peter Mayhew, Zoe McLellan, Bill Mumy[32]
|
West Concourse Hall C | Show moves to the Orange County Convention Center | |||||
February 22–24, 2002 | Actors: Steven Kent Austin, Kenny Baker, Amber Benson, Nicholas Brendon, Paul Blake, Michonne Bourriague, Jason Carter, Mark Goddard, Janette Goldstein, Erin Gray, Andy Hallett, Virginia Hey, Marta Kristen, June Lockhart, George Lowe, Bob May, Zoe McLellan, Jason Mewes, David Prowse, Mike Quinn, Eugene Roddenberry Jr., Mark Rolston, Kevin Smith, Al Snow[33][34]
|
West Concourse Hall C | ||||||
February 28–March 2, 2003 | Actors: Richard Biggs, Anthony Cistaro, Brian Downey, Jamie Farr, Kathy Garver, Gil Gerard, Erin Gray, Jonathan Hardy, Virginia Hey, Lloyd Kaufman, Walter Koenig, Gary Lockwood, Peter Mayhew, Dina Meyer, Nichelle Nichols, David Prowse, Michael Rosenbaum, Paul Schrier, Xenia Seeberg, Robert Trebor, Lani Tupu, Patricia Zentilli[35]
|
West Concourse Hall C | Last event by CrossGen |
Widera
Dates | Official guests | Building | Notes | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
March 5–7, 2004 | Actors: Amy Allen, Michonne Bourriague, Angela Cartwright, Brad Dourif, Ken Foree, Mark Goddard, Sid Haig, Noah Hathaway, Virginia Hey, Herbert Jefferson, Jr., Walter Koenig, Marta Kristen, June Lockhart, BarBara Luna, Deanna Lund, Allison Mack, Bob May, Kenny Miller, Bill Mumy, Glenn Shadix, Marc Singer, Brian Thompson[36]
|
West Concourse Hall C | ||||||||||
February 25–27, 2005 | Actors: Melody Anderson, Douglas H. Arthurs, Julie Benz, Jackson Bostwick, Jeff Breslauer, Thom Christopher, Devin Devasquez, Lou Ferrigno, Gil Gerard, Erin Gray, Richard Hatch, Richard Herd, Sam Jones, Sam Jones III, John Kassir, Mercedes McNab, Debbie Rochon, Felix Silla, Michael Bailey Smith[37]
|
West Concourse Hall D2 | 22,000 attendees [38] | |||||||||
February 24–26, 2006 | Actors: Tony Amendola, Steve Bacic, Julie Benz, Jason Carter, Cleopatra, Alexis Cruz, Mira Furlan, John Kassir, Lloyd Kaufman, Clare Kramer, Cirroc Lofton, Mark Lutz, Chris Rankin, John Schneider, Tracy Scoggins, Marina Sirtis, Arne Starr, Brinke Stevens, Cathy St George, Jamie Yeates[39][40]
|
West Concourse Hall D2 | ||||||||||
February 16–18, 2007 | Actors: Sean Astin, Jamie Bamber, Brian Downey, Gigi Edgley, Lou Ferrigno, David Franklin, Mark Goddard, David Hedison, Virginia Hey, Lloyd Kaufman, Margot Kidder, Bob May, Mary McDonnell, Michael McManus, Noel Neill, Wayne Pygram, Efren Ramirez, Xenia Seeberg, Kevin Sorbo, Arne Starr, Cathy St. George, Vergil, Michael Winslow[41][42]
| West Concourse Hall C | ||||||||||
March 7–9, 2008 | Actors: Steve Bacic, Leah Cairns, Trish Cleveland, Jarrett Crippen, Adam Danoff, Erica Durance, Gil Gerard, Mark Goddard, Erin Gray, Lloyd Kaufman, Gail Kim, Peter Mayhew, Cindy Morgan, Dylan Neal, Noel Neill, Jack O'Halloran, Adrian Pasdar, Pete Postiglione, Jon Provost, Jennifer Rhodes, Kyle Schmid, Mark Sheppard, William Morgan Sheppard, Marc Singer, Arne Starr, Kristy Swanson, Adrienne Wilkinson, Dan Williams, Nell Wilson[43][44]
|
South Concourse Hall B | First in North/South concourse | |||||||||
February 27–March 1, 2009 | Actors: Melody Anderson, Dirk Benedict, Traci Brooks, James Callis, Luciana Carro, Gareth David-Lloyd, Darcy DeMoss, Ami Dolenz, Micky Dolenz, Lou Ferrigno, Jennifer Halley, James Hampton, Tricia Helfer, Christy Hemme, Alaina Huffman, Herbert Jefferson, Jr., Charlotte Kemp, Margot Kidder, Richard LeParmentier, Anne Lockhart, Peter Mayhew, Cindy Morgan, Phillip Morris, Aaron Pabon, Michael Papajohn, Felix Silla, Al Snow, Arne Starr, Mia St. John, Cathy St.George[45][46]
|
West Concourse Hall D | 32,000 attendees [47] | |||||||||
August 22–23, 2009 | Actors: Amber Benson, Adam Busch, Charisma Carpenter, Emma Caulfield, Dorian Gregory, Jackie Haas, Hannah Hindi, Hillary Hindi, The Kat, Lisa Loring, Shelly Martinez, Sylvester McCoy, Tarah Paige, Terri Runnels, Felix Silla, Arne Starr, SoCal Val, Sean Waltman[48][49][10]
|
West Concourse Hall E1 | "mini-MegaCon" | |||||||||
2010s
Pre-Informa
Four days and Tampa Bay
Dates | Official guests | Building | Notes | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
May 26–29, 2016 | Actors: Curtis Armstrong, Hayley Atwell, John Barrowman, Jeremy Bulloch, Katie Cassidy, John Cusack, Anthony Daniels, Tom Felton, Vivica Fox, Jason David Frank, Michelle Gomez, Elden Henson, Jason Isaacs, Lennie James, Christopher Lloyd, Daniel Logan, Ralph Macchio, Jason Mewes, Nichelle Nichols, Tom Payne, James Phelps, Oliver Phelps, Billie Piper, James Remar, William Sadler, William Shatner, Kevin Smith, George Takei, Carlos Valdes, Burt Ward, Adam West, William Zabka[69][70][71]
|
West Concourse Halls A-B | First 4-day event. First to reach over 100,000 attendees[72] | |||||||||||
October 28–30, 2016 (Tampa Bay) | Actors: Levar Burton, Brett Dalton, Rick Danford, Robert J. Emery, Will Friedle, Krista Grotte, Lynne Hansen, Matthew Lewis, Graham McTavish, John Mocsary, Rosemary Orlando, Mitch Pileggi, Billie Piper, Glenn Register Sr., Wallace Shawn, Kevin Sorbo, Brent Spiner, Kevin Sussman, David Tennant, Verne Troyer, Henry Winkler[73][74]
|
Tampa Convention Center East Hall | debut of MegaCon Tampa Bay, 30,000+ attendees [75] | |||||||||||
May 25–28, 2017 (Orlando) | Actors: Richard Dean Anderson, Catherine Bach, Barry Bostwick, Nicholas Brendon, Nell Campbell, Tom Cavanaugh, Cyndi Crotts, Tim Curry, Jason Daly, Rick Danford, Felicia Day, Eliza Dushku, Elyes Gabel, William Grefe, Shandi Hampton, Hannah Hindi, Hillary Hindi, Famkey Janssen, Matthew Lewis, Caity Lotz, Kyle Marlett, James Marsters, Robert Massetti, Gaten Matarazzo, Dave McElfatrick, Caleb McLaughlin, Meat Loaf, Danielle Panabaker, Ray Park, Patricia Quinn, Matt Reynolds, Jeri Ryan, Aaron Sagers, John Schneider, Ian Somerhalder, Brent Spiner, Gina Torres, Joel Watson, Spencer Wilding, Tom Wilson, Justin Woods-Robinson, Tom Wopat[76][77]
|
North/South Concourse Hall A,South B | ||||||||||||
Sept 29–Oct 1, 2017 (Tampa Bay) | Actors: Dr. Paul Bearer II, Walt Belcher, John Barrowman, Katie Cassidy, Ruth Connell, Rick Danford, Krista Grotte, Alex Kingston, James Marsters, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Jason Mewes, John Mocsary, William Shatner, Kevin Smith, Ian Somerhalder, Ed Tucker[78]
|
Full Tampa Convention Center | 45,000 attendees [79] | |||||||||||
May 24–27, 2018 (Orlando) | Actors: Amy Acker, Alexa Bliss, John Cena, Moises Chiullan, Charlie Cox, Michael Cudlitz, Rick Danford, William B. Davis, Keir Dullea, Cary Elwes, Joe Flanigan, Annabeth Gish, Jeff Goldblum, Amy Jo Johnson, Lucy Lawless, Gary Lockwood, Jason Mamoa, China McClain, Jennifer Morrison, Stephen Moyer, Shinsuke Nakamura, Devin Pike, Mitch Pileggi, Jeff Rector, Norman Reedus, Paul Reubens, Aaron Sagers, Chris Sarandon, Wallace Shawn, Jewel Staite, Brinke Stevens, Braun Strowman, Joonas Suotamo, Catherine Tate, Billy Dee Williams, Cress Williams, Nafessa Williams, Elijah Wood[80][81]
|
West Concourse Hall A-C | ||||||||||||
Sept 21–23, 2018 (Tampa Bay) | Actors: Manu Bennett, Corbin Bernsen, Peter Capaldi, Jonny Cruz, John de Lancie, Michael Dorn, Jason David Frank, Summer Glau, Pearl Mackie, David Mazouz, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Sean Pertwee, James Phelps, Oliver Phelps, Christian Serratos, Marina Sirtis
|
Full Tampa Convention Center | Final MegaCon Tampa Bay event, 22,000 attendees [83] | |||||||||||
May 16–19, 2019 (Orlando) | Actors: Stephen Amell, Sean Astin, John Barrowman, Mark Brooks, Lynda Carter, Mike Colter, Corey Feldman, Danielle Fishel, Dan Fogler, Michael J. Fox, Jason David Frank, Will Friedle, Tyler Hoechlin, Kristin Kreuk, Zachary Levi, Christopher Lloyd, Rose McIver, Lana Parrilla, Jason Patric, Lou Diamond Phillips, Ke Huy Quan, Michael Rosenbaum, Ben Savage, Mark Sheppard, Rider Strong, Kiefer Sutherland, David Tennant, Lea Thompson, James Tolkan, LeeAnna Vamp, Peter Weller, Tom Welling, Tom Wilson[84][85]
|
North/South Concourse Hall A, South B | 120,000 attendees [87] | |||||||||||
2020's
Post-COVID
NOTE: The Wayback Machine has been unable to properly archive the MegaCon guest lists since the 2021 event and all guests were added here shortly before each event.
Dates | Official guests | Building | Notes | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cancelled | No guests were announced before cancellation | Planned 2020 Tampa Bay event | |||||||||||||
Cancelled |
|
"mini-MegaCon" planned after cancellation of the 2 dates for the main 2020 event. April 16–19, 2020 June 4–7, 2020 | |||||||||||||
Aug 12–15, 2021 | Actors: Kevin Alejandro, Stephen Amell, Leslie David Baker, John Barrowman, Mark Boone Jr, Katie Cassidy, Dave Coulier, Ray Fisher, Aimee Garcia, Ryan Hurst, David Koechner, Robert Patrick, Ron Perlman, Michael Rooker, Bob Saget, Adam Savage, William Shatner, John Stamos, George Takei
|
West Concourse Halls A-C | 100,000 attendees
Originally scheduled for March 18–21 but pushed back. Masks were required. | ||||||||||||
May 19–22, 2022 | Actors: Jeff Anderson, Sean Astin, Britt Baker, Dante Basco, Brie Bella, Nikki Bella, Alexa Bliss, Billy Boyd, Lorraine Bracco, Tanner Buchanan, LeVar Burton, Gina Carano, Carmella, Adam Cole, Ashley Eckstein, Giancarlo Esposito, Trevor Fehrman, Ric Flair, Brendan Fraser, Nathan Fillion, Martin Kove, Jerry Lawler, Matthew Lewis, Caity Lotz, Jes Macallan, Ralph Macchio, James Marsters, Jason Mewes, Dominic Monaghan, Mary Mouser, Rey Mysterio, Brian O'Halloran, Kevin Owens, Chris Sarandon, Adam Scherr, Mark Sheppard, Kevin Smith, Mike Smith, Brent Spiner, John Paul Tremblay, The Undertaker, Robb Wells, Elijah Wood, William Zabka
|
North South Concourse Hall A, South B | >140,000 attendees [91] | ||||||||||||
March 30-April 2, 2023 | Actors: Dana Barron, Brec Bassinger, Jon Bernthal, Jacob Bertrand, Christie Brinkley, Steve Burns, Neve Campbell, Chevy Chase, Hayden Christensen, Gwendoline Christie, John Cleese, Charlie Cox, Rosario Dawson, Vincent D'Onofrio, Ashley Eckstein, Giancarlo Esposito, Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Anthony Michael Hall, Garrett Hedlund, Charlie Hunnam, Jamie Kennedy, Martin Kove, Zachary Levi, Mario Lopez, Vivien Lyra Blair, Matthew Lewis, Matthew Lillard, Ralph Macchio, Xolo Maridueña, Sonequa Martin-Green, James McAvoy, Gates McFadden, Anson Mount, Lana Parrilla, Ethan Peck, Sam Raimi, Emilio Rivera, Katee Sackhoff, Emily Swallow, Skeet Ulrich, Mercedes Varnado, Cerina Vincent, Carl Weathers, Henry Winkler, William Zabka
|
Whole North South Concourse Building | >160,000 attendees[94]
Prepaid parking introduced | ||||||||||||
February 1–4, 2024 |
Actors: Stephen Amell, Paul Bettany, Don Bluth, Johnny Yong Bosch, Sofia Boutella, Gina Carano, Hayden Christensen, Holly Marie Combs, Kevin Connolly, Anthony Daniels, Keith David, Geena Davis, Felicia Day, Kevin Dillon, Shannen Doherty, Cary Elwes, Eman Esfandi, Giancarlo Esposito, Jerry Ferrara, Michael J. Fox, Iñaki Godoy, McKenna Grace, Adrian Grenier, Butch Hartman, Tom Hiddleston, Michelle Hurd, Diana Lee Inosanto, Jason Isaacs, Alex Kingston, Jason Lee, Juliette Lewis, Matthew Lewis, Christopher Lloyd, Gaten Matarazzo, Rose McGowan, Ewan McGregor, Vivienne Medrano, Alyssa Milano, Cameron Monaghan, Temuera Morrison, Jaime Pressly, Jason Priestley, Randy Quaid, Jacob Romero, Eli Roth, Katey Sagal, Susan Sarandon, Aidan Scott, William Shatner, Wallace Shawn, Joonas Suotamo, Ethan Suplee, Lea Thompson, Danny Trejo, Alan Tudyk, Grace Van Dien, Jeff Ward, Ming-Na Wen, Thomas F. Wilson, Finn Wolfhard, Robin Wright
|
West Concourse Halls A-D | |||||||||||||
Show Layout and Events
Exhibit Hall
MegaCon since 2012 has had an exhibit hall sectioned into many different sections listed below:
[97]
Ticket Hall: The ticketing hall is where attendees pickup their badges required for attendance or buy new tickets. The lines are separated by ticket type. Past the ticketing booths is the show waiting area where attendees await the show's opening hours. The MegaCon store is in this area and sells convention themed merchandise as well as convention exclusives.
Retail: The retail section is home to shops numbering in the hundreds. This section is often subdivided into comics and anime sections. A small section "Tattoo Alley" is home to several tattoo vendors. While a majority of the businesses are small, some larger vendors also appear with more frequent ones including NASA and Dragon's Milk.[98][99]
Artist Alley: A section where several hundred artists are given a booth to sell their wares. This section is surrounded by a ring of comic book guests ranging from independent publishers to writers for DC and Marvel.
Community: The community section is home to life-size replica exhibits from many fan organizations including the 501st Legion, Rebel Legion, Daleks of Florida, the 405th, and the Delta Fleet. These groups often raise funds for local charities via voluntary donations or paid photo ops.
Celebrity: Actor guests of MegaCon have booths in this area. The booths form a ring that is empty in the center to allow for longer lines for the more popular stars attending the convention. A separate area adjacent is used for photo ops of more popular celebrities.
Food Courts: Multiple areas of the show floor and lobbies contain food courts with food options provided by the convention center. Cuisine options often include: Chinese, Papa John's, barbecue, Starbucks, Häagen-Dazs, and Tex-Mex.[100]
Events and panels
Outside the exhibit hall, the show has many events in the convention center lobbies and panel rooms.
Panels: MegaCon is host to panels of many genres relating to cosplay, anime, gaming, and world building among many other subjects. Celebrities attending MegaCon may also star in their own panels.
Gaming: Several RPG games are hosted at MegaCon including Dungeons & Dragons living campaigns, Living Forgotten Realms, Pathfinder Society and Legends of the Shining Jewel. Non RPG gaming is also hosted at MegaCon ranging from the card-based Magic: The Gathering to strategy games. E-gaming arcades are available and tournaments are held at the event for games like Super Smash Bros.[101]
Cosplay Contest: Since 2018, MegaCon has been home to the FanExpo Masters of Cosplay Grand Prix Sunshine Qualifier where dozens of cosplayers display their talent in costume construction.[102]
Family Zone: The MegaCon family zone is hosted in a large panel room with activities directed towards preteens and younger. Activities include a kids cosplay contest, a sorting hat ceremony, and padawan training.[103]
Afterparties: MegaCon has been host to afterhours entertainment since 2003. These events grew to include offsite locations in 2006.[104] Since 2010, Moshi Moshi Productions has handled offsite after hours events with a kickoff party in the Icebar Orlando on Thursday, and themed parties on Friday and Saturday at the Rosen Plaza and Rosen Centre respectively. In 2023, a Wednesday afterparty was hosted at ICON Park.[105] In 2024, the convention booked an exclusive afterhours event at the nearby Universal Islands of Adventure theme park.[106]
Celebrity Guests
MegaCon brings in large numbers of celebrities of various professions for fans to meet and receive autographs and photos with.
Actors: Since its migration to the Orange County Convention Center, MegaCon has drawn in celebrities who have starred in various films and television shows. Some years may see a collection of actors from a particular franchise like the four Hobbits from Lord of the Rings in 2022.[107]
Voice Actors: MegaCon is frequented by voice actors from various western animated and anime shows as well as video game characters.
Comic Artists: From its beginning, MegaCon has had a large number of comic guests both veterans of the industry from Marvel and DC as well as indie publishers wishing to use the convention to kickstart their jump into the comic scene.
Other guests: In some years, MegaCon has been host to popular guests of other professions including authors and internet celebrities. Some vendors at MegaCon like RangerStop may also share their table space with a few non-actor celebrities.
References
- ↑ "HAL FOSTER SIGNED LETTER & SIGNED PHOTO WITH ROY CRANE". Hake's Auctions. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
- 1 2 3 Walt, Andra (February 13, 2012). "Owner/Director Beth Widera of Orlando's MegaCon Stops by InvestComics". InvestComics.
- 1 2 Weiland, Jonah. "Battling Conventions? Talking with the NY Comic Con and MegaCon Organizers," Comic Book Resources (June 10, 2005).
- ↑ McCaw, Derek (31 July 2019). "Comic-Con 2001 Flashback: Remembering CrossGen". Fanboy Planet. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
- 1 2 "CrossGen Sells MegaCon To the Show's Director," ICv2 (November 19, 2003).
- ↑ Paranoia LIVE!
- ↑ "MegaCon Convention". MegaCon Convention. Archived from the original on 2007-02-03.
hosting the 6th annual Web Cartoonist Awards. After six years of growing, world-wide popularity, the WCCAs will, for the first time ever, be presenting the 2007 winners at a live ceremony.
- ↑ Project Fanboy Awards to be announced at MegaCon Archived May 28, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
- ↑ "MegaCon Headquarters move to Live Oak, FL" (Press release). MegaCon official website. Archived from the original on May 28, 2009.
- 1 2 3 Chien, Philip (2009). "MegaCon". NeatInformation.com. Retrieved July 12, 2012.
- ↑ Dineen, Caitlin (April 7, 2015). "Orlando's MegaCon sold to Informa". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved April 9, 2015.
- ↑ Mantei, Shelley (April 9, 2015). "Informa Exhibitions Expands Pop Culture Convention Portfolio With MegaCon Orlando" (PDF) (Press release). Orlando, Florida: Fan Expo HQ. Retrieved April 9, 2015.
- ↑ Busdeker, Jon (April 13, 2016). "MegaCon 2016: Convention extended to four days next year". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 23 April 2016.
- ↑ "Archived copy". MegaCon: Fan Days. Wayback Machine. Archived from the original on 20 November 2015. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ Pavlinskaya, Anastasia (June 10, 2016). "MegaCon Orlando: Fantasy and Fandom". Knight News. Retrieved 26 June 2016.
- ↑ Biunno, J. B. (12 November 2018). "Stan Lee was a superhero for Florida, attended MegaCon for Irma victims". WFLA. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
- ↑ Carter, Ashley. "MegaCon Orlando 2020 Canceled Amid Coronavirus Pandemic". Spectrum News 13. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
- ↑ @MegaConOrlando (July 29, 2021). "@JamesMarstersOf is no longer able to attend the show - he's been called back to production on an upcoming project. Epic Photo Ops will be in touch with those that bought a Photo Op, and if you had tickets to James Marsters Unplugged you'll see a refund processed for that ticket" (Tweet). Retrieved April 16, 2022 – via Twitter.
- ↑ "FAN EXPO Announces Whatnot as Official Livestream Partner". Business Wire (Press release). 20 April 2022. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
- ↑ Kondolojy, Amanda (22 May 2022). "Fans deal with massive crowds, parking woes at MegaCon 2022". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 24 May 2022.
- ↑ Moyer, Matthew (May 10, 2022). "Memorial service for late comics legend George Pérez to be held at Orlando's MegaCon". Orlando Weekly. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
- ↑ "MegaCon Convention on Twitter". Twitter. MegaConOrlando. Retrieved 28 March 2023.
- ↑ "MegaCon 1996 Advert". Twitter. Wayback Machine. Archived from the original on 28 October 2023. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ "MegaCon 1997". Mega Convention. Wayback Machine. Archived from the original on 26 December 1996. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ "MegaCon Guests 1997". Mega Convention. Wayback Machine. Archived from the original on 16 June 1997. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ "Spotlight," Orlando Sentinel (14 Mar 1997), p. 43.
- ↑ "MegaCon Guests 1998". Mega Convention. Wayback Machine. Archived from the original on 5 December 1998. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ "MegaCon Guests 1999". Mega Convention. Wayback Machine. Archived from the original on 12 October 1999. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ Houck, Jeff (23 April 1999). "Superheroes converge on MegaCon in Orlando". Deseret News. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
- ↑ "MegaCon Guests 2000". Mega Convention. Wayback Machine. Archived from the original on 8 April 2000. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ "MegaCon 2000: 60 Years of Stan Lee to Celebrate Pop Culture". Bloomberg. 27 January 2000. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
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{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ Szadkowski, Joseph. "The keen and obscene at Florida's MegaCon," Washington Times (09 Mar 2002), p. B02.
- ↑ "MegaCon Guests 2002". Mega Convention. Wayback Machine. Archived from the original on 13 August 2001. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ "MegaCon Guests 2003". Mega Convention. Wayback Machine. Archived from the original on 15 February 2003. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ "MegaCon Guests 2004". Mega Convention. Wayback Machine. Archived from the original on 2 February 2004. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ "MegaCon Guests 2005". Mega Convention. Wayback Machine. Archived from the original on 28 February 2005. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ "Battling Conventions? Talking with the NY Comic Con and MegaCon Organizers". CBR. 10 June 2005. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
- ↑ "MegaCon Media Guests 2006". Mega Convention. Wayback Machine. Archived from the original on 8 March 2006. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ "MegaCon Comic Guests 2006". Mega Convention. Wayback Machine. Archived from the original on 8 March 2006. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ "MegaCon Media Guests 2007". Mega Convention. Wayback Machine. Archived from the original on 17 February 2007. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ "MegaCon Comic Guests 2007". Mega Convention. Wayback Machine. Archived from the original on 17 February 2007. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ "MegaCon Media Guests 2008". Mega Convention. Wayback Machine. Archived from the original on 10 March 2008. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ "MegaCon Comic Guests 2008". Mega Convention. Wayback Machine. Archived from the original on 2 March 2008. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ "MegaCon Media Guests 2009". Mega Convention. Wayback Machine. Archived from the original on 3 March 2009. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ "MegaCon Comic Guests 2009". Mega Convention. Wayback Machine. Archived from the original on 27 February 2009. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ Bridges, Chris (21 March 2014). "Zombies and trekkies and geeks, oh yes: MegaCon is back". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
- ↑ "Mini MegaCon Media Guests 2009". Mega Convention. Wayback Machine. Archived from the original on 24 August 2009. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ "Mini MegaCon Comic Guests 2009". Mega Convention. Wayback Machine. Archived from the original on 24 August 2009. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ "MegaCon Media Guests 2010". Mega Convention. Wayback Machine. Archived from the original on 17 March 2010. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ "MegaCon Comic Guests 2010". Mega Convention. Wayback Machine. Archived from the original on 17 March 2010. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ Bridges, Chris (24 March 2011). "Get Your Geek On: MegaCon hits Orlando". The Daytona Beach News Journal. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
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{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ "MegaCon Comic Guests 2011". Mega Convention. Wayback Machine. Archived from the original on 1 April 2011. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ Katz, Jay. "Beth Widera of MegaCon". Trending Pop culture. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
- ↑ "MegaCon Media Guests 2012". Mega Convention. Wayback Machine. Archived from the original on 20 February 2012. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ "MegaCon Comic Guests 2012". Mega Convention. Wayback Machine. Archived from the original on 19 February 2012. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ "MegaCon 2012 ballons in growth". NCF Catalyst. 2 March 2012. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
- ↑ "MegaCon Media Guests 2013". Mega Convention. Wayback Machine. Archived from the original on 16 March 2013. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ "MegaCon Comic Guests 2013". Mega Convention. Wayback Machine. Archived from the original on 15 March 2013. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ Sorrells, Mitra (18 March 2014). "How a Three-Person Staff Produces an Event for 60,000 People". BizBash. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
- ↑ "MegaCon Media Guests 2014". Mega Convention. Wayback Machine. Archived from the original on 8 February 2014. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ "MegaCon Comic Guests 2014". Mega Convention. Wayback Machine. Archived from the original on 8 February 2014. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ "MegaCon Media Guests 2015". Mega Convention. Wayback Machine. Archived from the original on 15 April 2015. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ "MegaCon Comic Guests 2015". Mega Convention. Wayback Machine. Archived from the original on 15 April 2015. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - 1 2 Boedeker, Hal (19 November 2015). "Fans! Fantasy! Family! MegaCon Fan Days are here". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
- ↑ "MEGACON RETURNS APRIL 10-12, 2015". Orange County Convention Center. Archived from the original on 15 March 2015. Retrieved 5 September 2016.
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: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ "MegaCon Guests 2016". Mega Convention. Wayback Machine. Archived from the original on 2 June 2016. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ "MegaCon Comic Guests 2016". Mega Convention. Wayback Machine. Archived from the original on 4 June 2016. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ "Fans unite at MegaCon 2016 in Orlando". Florida Today. Retrieved 2016-10-31.
- ↑ Carchidi, Jim (May 29, 2016). "MegaCon 2016 raises the bar for Orlando's convention future". Orlando Business Journal.
- ↑ O'Reilly, Sean (2016-10-28). "MegaCon Tampa Bay features celebrity guests, comic book creators and cosplay events". WFTS. Retrieved 2016-10-31.
- ↑ "MegaCon Tampa Bay Guests 2016". Mega Convention Tampa Bay. Wayback Machine. Archived from the original on 14 November 2016. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
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: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ Danikowski, Alyse (29 September 2017). "MegaCon Tampa Bay". WFLA. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
- ↑ "MegaCon Guests 2017". Mega Convention. Wayback Machine. Archived from the original on 6 June 2017. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
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: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ "MegaCon Comic Guests 2017". Mega Convention. Wayback Machine. Archived from the original on 31 May 2017. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ "MegaCon Tampa Bay Guests 2017". Mega Convention Tampa Bay. Wayback Machine. Archived from the original on 3 October 2017. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ Christi, A. A. "MEGACON ORLANDO Announces Star-Studded Line Up, Programming, Panels, Exhibits and Much More". Broadway World. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
- ↑ "MegaCon Celebrity Guests 2018". Mega Convention. Wayback Machine. Archived from the original on 28 May 2018. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
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: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ "MegaCon Comic Guests 2018". Mega Convention. Wayback Machine. Archived from the original on 9 April 2018. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
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: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ "Rangerstop Convention on Twitter". Twitter. Rangerstop Convention. Retrieved 3 November 2023.
- ↑ Carter, Ashley (25 September 2018). "MegaCon brings thousands of fans to downtown Tampa". Bay News 9. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
- ↑ "MegaCon Guests 2019". Mega Convention. Wayback Machine. Archived from the original on 12 August 2019. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
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: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ "MegaCon Comic Guests 2019". Mega Convention. Wayback Machine. Archived from the original on 1 April 2019. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
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: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ Burrise, Nakia. "Nakia Burrise on Instagram". Instagram. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
- ↑ Gottschalk, Jeremy (21 May 2022). "In Pictures: FanExpoHQ's Megacon 2022 So Far". Valencia Voice. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
- ↑ "Rangerstop Convention on Facebook". RangerStop Convention. Retrieved 9 November 2023 – via Facebook.
- ↑ "Rangerstop Convention on Twitter". RangerStop Convention. Retrieved 7 November 2023 – via Twitter.
- ↑ "Rangerstop Convention on Facebook". Retrieved 9 November 2023 – via Facebook.
- ↑ Salkowitz, Rob (26 August 2022). "Fan Expo HQ Is Betting On A Big Comeback For Pop Culture Conventions". Forbes. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
- ↑ "Gamer's Heaven on Twitter". Gamers Heaven Official (Family). Retrieved 4 November 2023 – via Twitter.
- ↑ Ashley, Karan. "Karan Ashley on Facebook". Retrieved 8 November 2023 – via Facebook.
- ↑ Zizo, Christie (24 October 2023). "Marvel's Paul Bettany 1st announced guest for MegaCon Orlando 2024". Click Orlando. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
- ↑ "Unknown Comic Books on Twitter". Unknown Comic Books. Retrieved 13 November 2023 – via Twitter.
- ↑ Buoni, Michael. "Rangerstop Booth #541 at Megacon Orlando!!!". Facebook. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
- ↑ "MegaCon Floorplan 2023". Mega Convention. Wayback Machine. Archived from the original on 28 March 2023. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ Thompson, Amy (20 May 2022). "Hit MegaCon Orlando's first beer garden, get a chocolate fix this weekend". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
- ↑ Gavin, Michael (6 June 2016). "PHOTOS: MegaCon 2016 – Super shopping with mega-diversity". Inside the Magic. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
- ↑ "Centerplate Retail Concepts". Publitas. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
- ↑ Williams, Kevin (24 May 2018). "9 ways MegaCon Orlando has something for everyone". WFTV. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
- ↑ Tuttle, Brittani (2 April 2018). "MegaCon announces first-ever cosplay competition, 'Master of Cosplay Grand Prix'". Attractions Magazine. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
- ↑ Zizo, Christie (16 May 2022). "MegaCon Orlando 2022: Everything you need to know to go". WKMG Click Orlando. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
- ↑ "MegaCon 2006 Programming". Wayback Machine. Archived from the original on 2006-03-08.
- ↑ "Moshi Parties". Moshi Moshi Productions. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
- ↑ "MegaCon Convention on Twitter". Twitter. MegaConOrlando. Retrieved 28 March 2023.
- ↑ Carter, Ashley (18 January 2022). "'Lord of the Rings' cast added to MegaCon Orlando lineup". Spectrum News 13. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
External links
- Official website
- Archive of Tampa Bay event website at the Wayback Machine (archived 23 October 2016)