Fan Expo Vancouver Archives | Otaku No Culture

Fan Expo Vancouver’s First Wave of Guest Announcements is Here!

The first round of guest announcements for Fan Expo Vancouver 2023 are here!

Fan Expo Vancouver may well be gearing up for a big 2023 year. They’ve begun their wave of guest announcements so that holiday gift givers can show their love for the pop culture enthusiast in the family by buying them a pass. In the early weeks of November, they reported Stephen Amell of Arrow fame and Matthew Lewis from the Harry Potter movies will appear.

For now, the official website information is stating they will be signing autographs and doing photo ops for one day only.

Continue reading “Fan Expo Vancouver’s First Wave of Guest Announcements is Here!”

Fan Expo Vancouver 2022 Convention Report

As for what’s next, it’s safe to say they’ll be back next year during BC Family Day. I was pleased that it wasn’t competing with another event upstairs and all I can hope for is to see the city embrace this event like in Calgary, complete with a parade.

Just Like Bender from Futurama, Fan Expo Vancouver is back!

The event showed no signs of operating at half capacity since a few days prior, the latest health protocols said it was okay to be at capacity. I firmly believe the organisers got lucky. Plus, entry to the event was perfectly handled and there was enough staff throughout the day. You walked in, showed your vaccine card and id, and you’re in. There was no bottleneck. All that was asked for is for everyone to continue wearing a face mask. Travellers from afar were enjoying other events this city offered and were unaware this event was happening. I chatted with a few who were curious about the cosplayers walking around the inlet.

The team behind this event were certainly cautious in how much should be spent advertising because all I saw around town were ads on poster cylinders. I can’t speak for newspaper or television since I didn’t look, but I feel that’s needed as this part of the world is getting back to normal and leaving the pandemic behind.

Even though there were overlaps with panels and when I had to be present for a photo op, there was plenty to see and do. I enjoyed chatting with the talents in Artists’ Alley and when there were no lineups for the celebrities, got to talk to them. Like previous years, there’s always going to be some kind of representation with the locally made television shows, namely Legends of Tomorrow, and this aspect is always appreciated. This year, it was about the latest, Superman and Lois.

Continue reading “Fan Expo Vancouver 2022 Convention Report”

Good News for Fan Expo Vancouver 2022

Superman and Lois

Runs: Feb 19 – 21, 2022

Fan Expo Vancouver will soon be upon us, and although there’s been adjustment to the guest lineup, this BC Family Day long weekend ought to be good. We’re going to see the two generations of superheroics get together! Not only are the cast of Superman and Lois here–Tyler Hoechlin (Clark Kent), Bitsie Tulloch (Lois Lane) and Ian Bohen (Mitch Anderson) will be with Jordan Elsass (Jonathan Kent) and Alexander Garfin (Jordan Kent)–but also we have a Smallville reunion of sorts! Tom Welling and Erica Durance are together again!

The latest health guidelines announced earlier this week revealed great news for those concerned. This show can run at full capacity. All that’s required for attendees is to show their vaccine card and wear face covering. Con crud can still be passed along, and that’s not an enjoyable sickness to go through.

The following lists in how to make the most of this show and what Terminal City offers comes from past guides. This includes an updated list of dining options for those wondering what to do in the city.

Continue reading “Good News for Fan Expo Vancouver 2022”

How to Plan for Fan Expo Vancouver 2022

Fan Expo Vancouver is gearing up to return Feb 19 to 21, 2022 and it’ll be magical!

Fan Expo Vancouver is gearing up to return Feb 19 to 21, 2022 and it’ll be magical! Ticket sales started in December, and it’d make for a terrific gift for those hankering to return to the pop culture convention scene.

Matthew Lewis from the Harry Potter movies is one of the first talents announced. After these films, he’s appeared in local theatre and the occasional film, like The Rise and Terminal. His transition from a chubby young actor to hunk has many female hearts a-fluttering, and those who’ve followed his television appearances must be giggling concerning his latest work in the new All Creatures Great and Small.

Also known to be appearing are the vocal talents behind the popular anime, My Hero Academia–Justin Briner, Jason Liebrecht and Christopher Sabat.

More names are expected to be announced late December and in the New Year. There’ll be at least a dozen talents to meet; as for who they are won’t be easy to predict as the Fan Expo brand has expanded into the States; they’re replacing Wizard World. Portland’s show has the Back to the Future cast in attendance in January, and it’s not likely they’ll refreshed in time for Vancouver the following month. The Dallas and San Francisco show will take place much later in the year.

Monitoring other events worldwide suggests not every organizer–talents included–is a hundred percent certain they can offer a packed event, and Fan Expo Vancouver is no different. The hope here is that the organizers will consider using other parts of the building rather than concentrate everything on one floor. It was done when this gathering was young, but it transitioned to being all in one tent event the past few years.

More and more pop culture conventions have protocols in place to keep attendees healthy. In what to expect for this event includes:

A check station for those fully vaccinated to get a wristband or sticker to put on their badge to certify they are ‘safe.’
Wearing a face mask at all times. Certification guidelines will vary (please check faq for the latest updates).
Sanitization stations
Plexiglass barriers in photo-op and autograph areas.

Comic Cons, Concerts and Concerns in the Midst of a Continuing Pandemic

The only safe events are the online ones where a webcam is required. While it’s good for fans wanting to meet guests, the experience is not perfect. It lacks a certain “real life” magic that these conventions are known for, including the fun silly randomness which occurs in the show floor.

By Ed Sum
(The Vintage Tempest)

Usually around this time, I’d be planning (or have attended) a pop culture convention by now. Emerald City Comic Con may run their 2021 event at the end of the year, but by then, are we sure it’ll happen when information of COVID-19 variants is the new concern? We’re in a pandemic, and although a vaccine is available, it’s not guaranteed to completely placate the virus. LiveScience published an article explaining how they work. People can still be carriers and not show any symptoms.

Plus, not everyone are able to get the shot right away. The rollout will target particular public health sectors first, before the public, and most regular joes–the fandom–is last in line. Changes to these events are expected because any show that doesn’t incorporate safety measures as a precaution is not only hazardous to everyone’s health but also a breeding ground for another wave.

As much as I like to resume that life of an avid con goer in a normally busy month of March, I don’t see myself feeling comfortable being at one unless these events invest in “the new norm” which includes plexiglass barriers to put between fans, dealers and guests along with many sanitizing stations. Whether that’s with ultraviolet portals to pass through or a table with cleansing dispensers, it won’t be enough. The shows that want to take place sooner than later may include waivers for everyone to impress their fingerprint upon so that the company can’t be sued if an attendee gets sick.

Continue reading “Comic Cons, Concerts and Concerns in the Midst of a Continuing Pandemic”

Fan Expo Vancouver 2020 In Pictures & Convention Report

By Ed Sum
(The Vintage Tempest)

Fan Expo Vancouver (FXV) is eight years old! This event began in 2012 and over the years saw plenty of ups and downs. It shifted from a February event to November, and now it’s back in its mainstay of late Winter. The latest event took place a few weeks ago, during this province’s Family Day last month and attendance was quite good. Pairing this event with a long weekend felt good, and to have this event run from Saturday to Monday may seem unusual to some, but it’ll become a norm for this event’s future. Children and parents had a place to play in! A corner was sectioned off for young wizards to sort Harry Potter style. There were bouncy balls and even a small area for costumed tykes to show off their best superhero pose.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Ideally, the family section should be in a room of its own (cosplay contest included). When the organizers behind this show seem to be settling on using the biggest singular room possible, maximizing the space will be a challenge in the future. The huge food court area may get shrunk. Thankfully, sandwiches, doughnuts and sodas will keep attendees appetites sated. Wild Bill’s Old Fashioned Soda is looking to make a dent in the convention scene with its flavourful root beers. I couldn’t resist and picked up a souvenir cup ($40) which was freely refillable for a day. For $5 on other days, I could remain on a carbonated high. However, for those wanting something more hearty have restaurants outside the convention center to eat in, like the Tap & Barrel. Since this space stretches out to cover both stages on opposite ends, the choice is sound for those not needing a good seat for the panels offered.

Continue reading “Fan Expo Vancouver 2020 In Pictures & Convention Report”