From our friends at LeftField Media...
Growing LeftField Family Welcomes Washington DC Fan Convention
LeftField Media LLC, a boutique event company launched in 2014 by some of the most experienced names in the event business, today announced the addition of Washington DC’s Awesome Con to its growing roster. Awesome Con, launched by Ben Penrod in 2013, is a pop culture convention set in the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington DC. The event has defined itself as one of the fastest growing fan conventions in the US, and this year attracted over 40,000 attendees.
“We’re thrilled to work with Ben and the Awesome Con team,” said Greg Topalian, President of LeftField Media. “Awesome Con is an incredible event, and DC is a very special region with tremendous fans. We look forward to taking Awesome Con to the next level with new publisher relationships and exciting new entertainment properties, and growing it into something even more awesome.”
Awesome Con is one of the largest fan conventions on the East Coast, spanning the worlds of comics, toys, games, cosplay, movies, and television; driven by a full-time team dedicated to quality, the fan experience, and customer service. In 2015, Awesome Con welcomed over 50 celebrities from the worlds of TV, film, and comics, including William Shatner, George Takei, Sean Astin, and Kevin Eastman, creator of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
“We’ve built a deep relationship with our fans, and they are constantly asking us to bring important one-of-a-kind guests, events, and announcements to Awesome Con,” said Ben Penrod, Awesome Con Founder. “Greg and the LeftField team are as committed to the fan experience as we have been, and with their relationships and experience added to the mix, we will make Awesome Con a must-attend event for fans far beyond our nation’s capital.”
LeftField Media was created in 2014 by New York Comic Con founder Greg Topalian and trade show veterans Britton Jones, Mac Brighton, and Sharon Enright with the vision to build a company focused on nimble thinking, a commitment to new audiences, and bringing together the best of B2B and B2C experiences. It is staffed by a team of veterans who have worked on comic cons and pop culture festivals across the US, Europe, Asia, and Australia. In the span of one year, LeftField has emerged from a new concept in the event world into an organizer with a portfolio of dynamic events.
Awesome Con expands LeftField’s existing stable, which also includes:
• Stream Con NYC - An online content creator fan convention and industry conference in partnership with Tubefilter (streamconnyc.com), October 30-November 1, 2015 at Javits Center, NY
• Play Fair - A toy and play-focused convention for families and collectors in partnership with the Toy Industry Association (playfairny.com), February 13-14, 2016 at Javits Center North, NY
• AXPONA - A high-fi audio convention for audiophiles and the audio industry in partnership with JD Events (axpona.com), April 15-17, 2016 at Westin O’Hare, Chicago
LeftField’s combined roster (Awesome Con, Play Fair, Stream Con NYC, AXPONA) delivers quality experiences across very different audiences united by common passions. Further, this roster showcases LeftField as a strong partner, forming alliances with major associations and influencers. LeftField and Awesome Con look forward to further announcements in 2016.
ABOUT LEFTFIELD MEDIA:
LeftField Media LLC is focused on developing face-to-face events in a range of communities rooted in contemporary culture and shared passion. LeftField Media was formed in 2014 by Greg Topalian (President, LeftField Media), Britton Jones (President & CEO of Business Journals, Inc.), Mac Brighton (Chairman & COO of Business Journals, Inc.), and Sharon Enright (Executive Vice President of Business Journals, Inc.). While LeftField Media is a new company, its founders have over 100 years of combined experience in media and event production. With a keen sense of the ever-evolving needs of the industry as well as the new opportunities created by change, LeftField Media takes a clean slate approach to the events business.
ABOUT AWESOME CON:
Awesome Con is Washington DC's comic and pop culture convention. Launched by Ben Penrod in 2013, Awesome Con is one of the largest and fastest growing fan conventions in the United States. Awesome Con's 2016 event will be from June 3-5, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. (awesomecon.com, facebook.com/awesomecondc, twitter.com/awesomecon)
Disclaimer: LeftField Media LLC and Greg Topalian are not affiliated in any way with New York Comic Con