From the Con Floor is a blog dedicated to the convention life, all while celebrating the fans and fandom that make these events possible.
After ten years deeply immersed in the geeky/comic convention scene, one thing remains clear: No matter what your fandom is, no matter the world or the character or the activity, the excitement and joy we share when we build real connections through it always sparkles.
It’s a big part of why I love conventions, and it’s what this little space on the internet is all about!
Meet Amber, Your Con Guide
I wear a lot of hats. I’m a Minnesotan and a lifelong geek (though I might not have embraced it as fully in my younger years). Creatively, I’m a writer, artist, designer, illustrator, comic book letterer, communications and culture professional, and so much more.
In the convention world, I am a volunteer, con runner, and just one of the thousands of people that go to comic cons around the world.
At my core, though, I’m a storyteller. That’s where this blog comes in!
Living the Convention Life
Did I mention I love conventions? I flipping LOVE conventions!
My first two geek-themed cons were held just two weeks apart in 2014 – Wizard World, a for-profit convention expanding into the Twin Cities area, and CONsole Room, Minnesota’s own fan-run Doctor Who convention. These were two vastly different (and both absolutely magical) experiences celebrating creativity and fandom. I was immediately hooked.
Over the past decade, these geeky gatherings have become a huge part of my life as an attendee, volunteer, and creative. I began volunteering on CONsole Room’s convention committee as part of the Publications team for their second year, then soon after joined the Publications team for LGBTQIA+ gaming cons Gaylaxicon (when in Minnesota) and ConFABulous. Later, I was honored to accept the position of CONsole Room co-chair and continued leading in this capacity for the next seven years for cons hosted in 2018 through 2024. I also began tabling (very casually) in Artist Alley and Dealer rooms at conventions in 2016, ramping up my artist engagement much more intentionally and seriously starting in 2020. In 2023, I attended 14 comic/geeky conventions over the course of the year in a variety of roles, ranging from cozy 100-person shows to massive 100k festivals.
I’ll note I’m not going to gatekeep here. The number of cons or which cons you attend is not indicative of anything, really, beyond your interest in attending a particular kind of social gathering. Not every con is for everyone (and, honestly, they can be really exhausting). You might not be into conventions at all, and that’s totally ok and doesn’t make you any less of a fan! But, for me, it does help illustrate just how much of my life is dedicated to the con life – and, in some ways, I feel like I’m just getting started.
From the Con Floor – and Beyond
It’s just been ten short years since I started my own convention experience, but already so much has changed. Events like these can seem static, with similar expectations year over year, but cons are constantly evolving beasts as con runners and attendees improve systems, policies, and more. Beyond that, our ever-changing culture, growths in understanding, and major global events like the COVID-19 pandemic, continue to fundamentally shift the convention landscape in ways big and small.
Personally, my time with conventions (both behind the scenes and as an attendee) has led to immense growth as a leader, communicator, and planner. I’ve built connections I might never have otherwise, gained lifelong friends, and accomplished things I never would have imagined. In fact, 2024 marks a BIG change for me as I step away from con running following year 11 of CONsole Room later this month. After ten years of volunteering, it’s time for me to make space for other parts of my life and build a solid, sustainable foundation for myself.
That’s where this project comes in! From the Con Floor is a blog dedicated to the convention life. Experiences from the conventions themselves as well as behind the scenes. Thought leadership on convention best practices mixed with seeing it in action. Tips and tricks for supporting your best convention experience, both as an attendee and as a con runner. All while celebrating the fans and fandom that make these events possible.
This blog is not intended to be a tell-all guide to specific cons (though I do intend to share some insights from my own experiences). It’s not a place for bashing or mocking cons with bad practices. Instead, just like the conventions it’s about, I hope this little corner of the internet grows into a place for support, celebration, and connection.
It’s still early in the process. I expect this project to evolve and grow and morph over time. But I am so grateful for the opportunities I’ve had to play a small part in bringing people together and connecting with this amazing geeky community in Minnesota and beyond, and even though my con running will soon be behind me, at least for a while, there’s so much more ahead! I’m so excited to broaden the experiences I’ve had so far and share it all with you!
So, grab your backpack and your sturdiest shoes. I look forward to meeting you on the con floor!