I have been meaning to start writing love letters to my favorite shows I've gotten to vend at, and what better time to start than right now. This was my second year tabling at ECCC and it was such a wonderful experience. Here are six things I loved about ECCC 2026:
- The people. I had the most wonderful conversations at the con. While the sheer volume of people (90k over the weekend!) could be intimidating at times, it was worth it to get to chat with people from across the country about things we all have in common. I saw friends with their kids who I hadn't seen in a decade. I had giddy conversations with new friends who love the same things I do (muppets! literature! Red Dwarf! creativity! inclusivity and raising curious and brave kiddos!). I came home from this show buzzing with ideas of what I wanted to create next. Sometimes, when I'm in a mood at 2am in my studio lying on the floor and cursing my stylus for not behaving the way it should on my tablet I forget that this is what it's all about--connecting with other people over art, what it means to us, and the things we love.
- The other exhibitors and artists. This is tied to #1 but it needs its own section. The artists and exhibitors who bring their creations are truly inspirational. I am both giddy to be a part of such a stacked exhibition floor and deeply humbled that my little stickers and bookmarks are among some legendary artists and writers. I met other exhibitors with years more experience who brought products I love to the US (shout out OLO markers--I'm in love). I have made friends I only get to see at this show, but that doesn't stop us from cramming all the joy and info sharing we can into four days of flybys to each others' booths (Monsterpedia crew, you're all gems of the highest order). I've learned so much from other vendors' generosity and willingness to share and I am so grateful for the opportunity to be around such talented and cool people.
-
The loading docks. You may laugh at this one, but I have always had a fascination with the inner workings of the giant building in Seattle since I used to have a job in Pacific Place in college. Maybe it has something to do with my love of The Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler as a child. I feel simultaneously like a fancy adult and a little kid any time I get to ride in giant freight elevators and I couldn't believe how much I was looking forward to getting to do it again this year.Â
-
The City. I don't have a regular reason to go into downtown Seattle these days, and while it is a whole production to get in to the city from where I live, I love getting to spend a whole weekend down there, walking the familiar (but changed!) streets, and feeling the hum of the big event in a place in which I spent so many years growing up.
- The undercurrent of creativity, One thing that ties everyone together at ECCC is that we all love something someone else made. I met so many authors, artists, illustrators, animators, stuffie designers, pin makers, fiber artists, actors, performers, cosplayers, and more who collectively bring this giant crowd together and goodness is it a sight to behold. Just being in the midst of such a crowd excited about imagination and creativity is enough inspiration and motivation to make me want to drop everything and do nothing but draw for the next two months.Â
- Â The access to goodies. In an age of online shopping and highly curated niche spaces, there is such a delightful chaos on the Artist Alley and exhibitor floors of ECCC. In my area alone there were painters, digital artists, authors, publishers, comic artists, bath bomb makers, pen purveyors, and miniature dealers and I wanted to pour over ALL OF IT. Two floors down there was everything from replica weapons and luxe cyberpunk fashion to Calico Critters and cute t-shirts and it is such a fun place to discover a new favorite thing (mine is little ball-jointed blind box dolls from Japan). And somehow it all just fits together, tied with the throughline of fandoms and love of the particular and unusual.
I know I have my rose colored glasses firmly on at this moment, and there are challenges with any large event, but that's the joy of making a list of things I love. Did you attend ECCC this year? What do you love most about this event?