Fan Expo Takes Over Six Wizard World Conventions

Aug 10, 2021

Pop culture convention producer Fan Expo HQ has entered into an agreement with Wizard World to take over and rebrand six of Wizard World’s largest pop culture conventions under the Fan Expo brand.

Fan Expo HQ will take control of the six Wizard World shows held in Chicago, Philadelphia, New Orleans, Portland, St. Louis, and Cleveland. Asked if this was an acquisition of the Wizard World properties, a spokesperson for Fan Expo declined to “share exact details of this agreement” between Fan Expo HQ and Wizard World.

Under the agreement, the former Wizard World shows will be rebranded as Fan Expo events and relaunched as in-person events in 2022. Wizard World Chicago, which was originally founded in 1972, was scheduled to be held this year October 15-17 at the Donald Stephens Convention Center in Chicago, and it will be held there as originally planned. However, it will be the only Wizard World convention be held in 2021. None of the other Wizard World properties taken over by Fan Expo will held in 2021.

The agreement by Fan Expo HQ, one of the largest pop culture convention producers in North Amererica, to take over these Wizard World conventions is the latest effort by Fan Expo HQ to expand the number of shows it produces in North America. Fan Expo produces 17 pop culture events in North America, including Fan Expo Canada in Toronto, MegaCon in Orlando, and Fan Expo Dallas.

Earlier this year, Fan Expo announced plans to launch a new pop culture convention in San Francisco, and the company acquired the Denver Comic Con from its original organizer, The Pop Culture Classroom, an educational nonprofit that founded the event in 2010.

Fan Expo HQ president Aman Gupta said, “Fan Expo HG is devoted to creating exceptional fan experiences. We’re beyond thrilled to be able to offer that to fans in six new locations, and pleased that Wizard World recognized our ability to elevate guest experience to the next level.” Gupta added, “I’m eager to contribute to the incredible legacy of the Chicago event, the second oldest comic event in North America, and restore it to its former glory and beyond.”

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