The means of how fans come together to celebrate what's most important to them - whether it's a greatly niche topic that's beloved by a smaller group of people or an overarching element of entertainment media that snags the interest of a broader audience - has evolved as the landscape of mass media entertainment has spawned into something deeply personal. Conventions in any form have slowly beat the stigma that has plagued their reputation in the public eye, disproving most assumptions made from an outside perspective. However, these have stood as only one means of bringing passionate people together, and subcultures have since been united through other methods of communal bonding. Fan Expo HQ has seen how intimately its work has affected its conventiongoers and aims to continue to kindle the love for entertainment while forging a way to create personal relationships that last long after their conventions have come and gone.
In preparation for Fan Expo Chicago 2023, Fan Expo HQ has stated that they've heard the request for their fan meetups to return to the Chicagoland area. Per Fan Expo Chicago's official page, they said that "you asked, we listened! We’ll be hosting more fan meetups throughout the year – digitally and in-person once we’re able to come together again." They quickly follow their promise by putting out a call for Fan Meetup Ambassadors to fill out applications if they feel like they're best fit to take on volunteer leadership roles in the Chicagoland convention community. Fan Meetup Ambassadors are viewed as leaders in the Fan Expo community at each show, representing that city's pride in the pop culture world. They're responsible for building relationships and connections between fans before, during, and after the event. As a Fan Meetup Ambassador, they'll be prepared to host digital and in-person events throughout the year to unify and strengthen that city’s fan community. In turn, Fan Expo HQ rewards their Fan Meetup Ambassadors with recognition in the official FAN EXPO-branded promotional materials and across their social channels. All Fan Meetup Ambassadors will be considered to be "Fan Expo insiders," earn free swag, and will be given VIP Passes to their local convention.
There are a few expectations laid out by Fan Expo HQ when on the hunt for their Fan Expo Chicago 2023 Fan Meetup Ambassadors. Individuals who apply must be prepared to lead and host Fan Expo Fan Meetup Events. All Fan Meetup Ambassadors will create and organize these events, which will be promoted through Fan Expo HQ channels. They're expected to create inclusive experiences that fans can be part of to share their love for all things fandom while achieving the goal of connecting people with similar interests. All Fan Meetup Ambassadors should demonstrate teamwork when collaborating through designated online media channels that connect Fan Expo HQ Fan Meetup Ambassadors on a national basis. These resources are in place to help those looking to create the best experience for Fan Meetup participants. If you feel like this is a role for you, Fan Expo HQ encourages all interested parties to apply.
Before filling out an application, there are a few questions to ask yourself: why do you think your city needs Fan Meetups? What do you think the biggest challenge in launching Fan Meetups in your city will be? How can you overcome this challenge? How do you engage with the genres that excite you? These may be pulled straight from the application form itself, but promote introspection from potential Fan Meetup Ambassadors about what this opportunity may really mean to them. If you're ready to apply, you can fill out the online application form. A Fan Expo HQ representative will be in touch with further detail after reviewing your submitted form.
Ticket sales for Fan Expo Chicago 2023 are officially live. Fan Expo Chicago will return from August 10 to August 13, 2023, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Ill. More information about Fan Expo Chicago 2023 will be shared through an official newsletter that can be subscribed to here, and new updates about the convention are accessible through their official Facebook Page.