13 years ago, DesignerCon (aka DCON, presented by 3DRetro) debuted at the Pasadena Convention Center and quickly became the West Coast’s premier convention for fans, collectors and creators of cutting-edge collectible art and vinyl toys. Now, after over a decade of growth, DCON is moving to the Anaheim Convention Center, tripling in size to 350,000 square feet of vendor exhibition and programming space.
Last year, over 37,000 people attended DCON to buy art and related merchandise from renowned artists and brands such as Paul Frank, KidRobot,Mighty Jaxx, Pop Life and more. This year they’re returning along with over 800 other artists and vendors, and attendance is expected to exceed 50,000. Chevy Metal, the alter-ego of the Foo Fighters, is confirmed as the headlining band of the Saturday night after party. Secret Walls will be returning with their world-class art battle. Universal Studios will be hosting a special Jurassic Park themed art show in honor of the franchise’s 25th anniversary, and the Keith Haring Estate will be celebrating what would have been the late artist’s 60th birthday with a special exhibition of The Pop Shop. For the first time ever, Japanese artist Lauren Tsai, most famous for “Terrace House,” will be exhibiting in the US at the convention. Famed Japanese toy company, MEDICOM TOY, will also be exhibiting at this year’s DCON. This will be the first time in MEDICOM TOY’s history, that they will participate as an exhibitor at a show in the USA on a full scale. More artists, vendors and special programming will be announced as they’re confirmed.
“In some ways it’s bittersweet for us to leave behind Pasadena where the convention has grown for over a decade,” says producer Ben Goretsky. “But as a lifelong collector, I’m incredibly excited that there is enough interest in the toy world to inspire this move to such a large space. The show has already confirmed many new artists and vendors from around the world that will be joining the convention for the first time ever. This is a whole new chapter for DesignerCon.”
DesignerCon will be held at the Anaheim Convention Center on November 16 – 18, 2018. The convention center is located at 800 W. Katella Ave, Anaheim, CA 92802.