Fan World
Fan World is an annual media event held during a summer weekend around the Niagara Falls.[1] Since its inception, Fan World has been identified as the first ever multinational fandom event, having events and guests simultaneously on the American and Canadian sides of the border over the Niagara Falls. Fans were able to meet celebrities on the American side or Canadian side of the border.[2][3] Fan World's inspiration was bringing together fans from across the globe to a bucket list location which has everything from a massive water park to casinos. The subject matter for the event includes science fiction, animation and anime, comics, tabletop and video gaming, Internet fandom, cosplay, etc.
The inaugural Fan World in 2016 was held at the Conference & Events Center at Niagara Falls and the Quality Hotel on the American side, as well as the Hard Rock Club and Crowne Plaza hotel on the Canadian side. Fan World advertises a 10–15 minutes walk from the venues on one side of the border to those on the other side. Their website also provides information for fans on how to cross the international border and what to know.
Programming[edit]
In 2016 Fan World hosted a variety of events; including a Homestuck-themed dance called Promstuck, Vic Mignogna's birthday party, and #WTFU - a panel hosted by Doug Walker, Brad Jones, and James Rolfe discussing the fair use and copyright situation with webcasting and online videos.
Other features included a Dr. Who-themed escape room,[4] a $1000 cash pay-out Magic: The Gathering tournament, and an alpaca and llama petting zoo.
Digital Event Registration[edit]
Fan World's attendance registration system is also not traditional. Instead of a badge on a lanyard or an admissions bracelet, Fan World uses a digital system which had mixed reviews.[5] The system requires an uploaded photo for online registrations members of staff and security could instantly access through a database on smart phones. This was so paying fans could be identified and not have their admission badges traded, stolen, or lost. Security would also have better resources to locate missing attendees such as children. Some fans were concerned with uploading a photo and Fan World staff guaranteed the deletion of sensitive information after each event.
History[edit]
Fan World began as an idea in 2015 to bring the fan bases from Canada (primarily southern Ontario and Toronto) together with the fan base surrounding the American Great Lakes. The event was advertised as "two conventions for the price of one" - but for those who could cross the international border. Although there were no reported problems with fans crossing the border, some fans expressed apprehension with attempting it. In their first year Fan World fans traveled from several countries to attend and meet the guests, including the United States, Canada, Russia, Turkey, and a few more South American and European nations. Fans enjoyed the cosplay experiences and meeting the variety of celebrity guests.[6]
In the Fall of 2015 the organizers of Fan World launched their idea after they contracted the venue space and signed some initial celebrity guests (Natasha Allegri was the first-ever confirmed guest in Fan World history).
Year-by-Year History of Fan World[edit]
| Dates | Location | Atten. | Guests |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 26–28, 2016 | Convention Center (U.S.) / Crowne Plaza (CA) Niagara Falls | ~850 | Dante Basco, Cricket Leigh, William Kircher, Vic Mignogna, Chuck Huber, Richard Comely, Natasha Allegri, Roland Parliament, James Rolfe, Doug Walker the Nostalgia Critic, Brad Jones the Cinema Snob, Tamara Chambers, and Malcolm Ray. |
| To Be Announced | Convention Center (U.S.) / Canadian Side TBA Niagara Falls | To Be Announced |
References[edit]
- ↑ "Niagara Falls: Fan World: 2016". NY Events. Retrieved Jamuary 2016. Check date values in:
|accessdate=(help) - ↑ "Cross Border Fandom". Niagara Falls Review. Retrieved August 28, 2016.
- ↑ "Fan World". Niagara Falls Blog. Retrieved August 30, 2016.
- ↑ "Fan World Here We Come". Lock & Key Escape Room. Retrieved June 10, 2016.
- ↑ "Fan World 2016". The Oakland Post. Retrieved September 13, 2016.
- ↑ "Niagara Falls & Fan World". Rubber Duck Theater. Retrieved October 1, 2016.
External links[edit]
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