Sometimes vacation is all about the destination – you can’t wait to spend a week on the beach or hiking in the mountains since you live in a city, but sometimes destinations are incidental, to result of following our passions around the globe. This tends to be what happens when you turn the best of the global convention circuit into your travel guide and go wherever your greatest interests lead you. It’s actually a really enjoyable way to go places you might never otherwise think to go.
There are conventions and events for every interest group – all you have to do is drop the topic into a search engine and you’re off. Conventions have become huge in recent years, and when we say huge, we mean it. Exhibition halls have got larger and larger, with some able to fit literally thousands of companies all at once. They’ve become a great place to launch new products and showcase new campaigns. Footfall can run into the hundreds of thousands, making them a great place for advertising. You can see this website if you’re thinking of attending a convention to showcase one of your own products, but arguably it’s more fun to visit as a spectator. To get you started, we’ve picked out 3 of our favourite global conventions that make extraordinary vacation destinations.
Comic Conventions: A Fan Favourite
When you think about the concept of conventions, comic cons are probably the first thing you think about – and with good reason. These conventions get a lot of press since everyone comes in elaborate costumes, causing major cities to flood with video game and movie characters. But for those new to the scene, the big names like San Diego comic con may seem a little intimidating, which is why we recommend Emerald City instead.
Emerald City takes place in Seattle and got its start in 2003, but it draws a fantastic crowd. Expect to see big names like Carrie Fisher, Wil Wheaton, and Felicia Day at this event – don?t worry, they?re used to swooning fans.
Where Your Feet Lead You
Believe it or not, for all the footwear fanatics out there, there really are sneaker conventions. This may seem like an astoundingly specialized topic, but they?re actually quite popular. In its third year, for example, Nike held an Air Max Con in three major global cities: New York, Tokyo, and Hong Kong. Offering several days of full immersion in the endlessly popular sneaker line, Nike drew sizable crowds of sneaker fans. And of course there are broader shoe conventions, such as SoleFest in Florida and SneakerCon in Texas.
Headed By Horses
While the Cheltenham Festival isn?t a convention, precisely, this four day horse racing event is more than just your typical trip to the track. Rather, at Cheltenham you?ll encounter the biggest names in racing competing for big money, with plenty of alternative activities for those a little less fascinated by the world of jockeys. The event features a hall of fame, great shopping, and plenty of food.
No matter what convention peaks your interest, be sure to travel prepared. Convention days can be long and tiring, so don?t forget your water and comfortable shoes, and be sure to review the day?s events in advance. With good planning (and a budget), everyone will have a wonderful time exploring the convention scene.