PopCon Indy 2025 - Recap

I am writing this as the days go on. The whole recap is spanning the days as I experienced them from the end of that day.

Thursday - Drive in was short, or at least it felt short compared to 4 hour flights to and from LA.

Started off the trip loading in. Got to the same style booth from last year, but it was tight quarters. Last year I would have been able to put up my back-banner. Now, my ass was right up against the table behind me. Also was told there wasn't supposed to be 2 chairs (yet they give out two badges. Some Math ain't Mathin' here.

Parked at the places they told us to park. no attendant. Had to call. They couldn't find info. Have documents I paid. Sent it to who they sent me the email for.

So far, off to a bad start, but am about to make the best of it.

After checking in, we went to get food. Went to Chicken Scratch. I was surprised it wasn't packed, or at least more people in there. I had the Buffalo Chicken Sandwich. It was really Awesome. Big Buffalo Chicken Tenders on a bun all saucy and messy, which was great. the heat was where Buffalo should be based on taste (I have eaten some of the hottest Sauces like Da Bomb and the last dab that ruined my heat index). G had the Chicken Salad, which was also good (that I was told). If near the convention Center in Indianapolis, I highly Recommend it.

Day 1 - was ok. Was able to talk to people I met last year, and those at the last con. Made no sales, and the Hotel Wifi wants you to buy nights of wifi after already spending so much. I am starting to NOT recommend that hotel.

There could have been a block for the event, but it wasn't disclosed until later. I would rather have a place to stay that worry about it before the event. I'm blaming the new handling of the event from 2024 being different than Eventeny. This one seems really sloppy. The parking, the hotel thing, the artist cramping. Shitshow comes to mind.

Got our parking QR codes to print the morning of the first day (For the day before), still hoping the car is there. With no place to Print them, what do you do? 

Not getting better, but not beaten yet.

Day 2 was better. Sold a few things. Talked to other vendors and people were walking around, looking, but no one was buying so I don't feel as much as a failure. 

Had a 'Deli wrap' from the Center. Bad Idea. The Chicken Caesar sandwich had an adventure, and conquered my intestines. 

I will know in the AM if the car is still there. Hopes are high. 

I have so many inspirations, and know what I want to do. Need EVA Foam because I am making D20 pieces to adorn my table. Also going to work on something Cosplay (I hope). Still writing, drawing, and dicemaking. Adding Coplay to the list and possibly streaming again

I met the Ranch Guy. That was pretty cool.

Day 3 Checked out of the hotel, and went to the car. I got a ticket. Emailed and started the process to appeal as I had all of the receipts and whatnot. Wasn't much better as far as foot traffic for the day, and ended up leaving a bit early. Did sell a little bit, but overall, I came up short on the booth cost. *(update 7-12 - I don't feel as defeated now, as I recall others were talking about doing poorly and the car wasn't towed. Tickets were also dismissed). 

Overall, it didn't go as well as it did last year. I did have fun hanging out with G for the weekend, but it was good to be back home to see the family. I was at odds of posting this, as I was always told "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything." I had a good time hanging out, but no so much on a business standpoint. I did see, and remember, people I met last year, and hopefully made new 'con friends' to talk to in the future.

I will give it one more year (if I am allowed back).