It has finally happened Curious Crowd! This Nerdie Foodie went to her very first con in two years. TWO YEARS! The last Con I went to was Fan Expo Vancouver 2020, just before the pandemic shutdowns happened. So, it felt apropos that my first Con two years later would be Fan Expo Vancouver 2022! This outing almost did not happen due to my work schedule. After some last-minute texting with very understanding work friends, I was able to get one day off to attend with a few caveats. So, I bought my Saturday pass online the night before and hoped for the best that everything was going to work out.
Getting Into the Con Floor
The Fan Expo Vancouver team in conjunction with Vancouver Convention Centre West, kept the crowds moving through the front doors at a fairly decent pace. There weren’t any lines outside the doors, but the movement of people was one-way. The first stop was to show your proof of vaccination. This was a bit tricky to decipher as there weren’t many signs on where to go to show your vaccine passport. You only had to show your vaccine passport once to get a stamp. Once you are stamped, you can go in and out of Fan Expo without having to re-show your vaccine passport each time you entered the building for that day (not sure what plan they had in place for those whom had multi-day passes). They had Con staff directing which booth to check in with. Since I bought my ticket online the night before, it was only a matter of scanning my purchase QR code, receive my bracelet for the day, and off I went to meet up with The Twin Nerds and our long-time friend (and convention photographer) Kevin!
(Photo Credit: Nerdy Curious)
Ming-Na Wen Appreciation Day
How would I describe Ming-Na Wen: actress, mother, wife, humble, nerd, foodie, and role model. As an Asian Canadian, we didn’t have many role models to look up to whom understood what it is like being Asian and growing up in suburbia North America. Let alone, a female nerd whom is Asian Canadian. Ming-Na was one of the few whom I looked up to and still do, to this day. It was only fitting that The Twin Nerds, Kevin and I were all there for everything Ming-Na since she was only in town for one day.
Autograph Experience Take 1
We headed straight to her autograph line first thing in the morning. Boy, was it a long line! It overflowed out onto the show floor and past a few other autograph stalls before being capped off. We got lucky and made it just before the cap off. There were a ton of people and it was pretty squished. Time was starting to run out as we also had a group photo-op with Ming-Na, and we still hadn’t moved that far into the autograph line (maybe one and half turns in) when the handlers and con staff had started to tell everyone that she needed to leave for the photo op session. But since everyone had been patiently waiting in line, each group would get a ticket to come back after her Q&A panel for a guaranteed autograph spot. It was taking so long because Ming-Na was spending time with each fan, having a conversation with them, accepting fan gifts, and genuinely making a connection with each person who stopped by. And for that, I can’t be mad.
(Photo Credit: Nerdy Curious)
Photo-Op Session
I jumped in on The Twin Nerds and Kevin’s group photo-op. It worked out really well since I ended up balancing the group with my Evil BB-8 bounding (thank you Elhoffer for making amazing nerdy couture). Kevin had his Stormtrooper t-shirt, and The Twin Nerds were in full cosplay as Disney Princess Suffragettes! They scanned us into the photo-op area and directed us to the pre-outlined lineup area. This was spaced out nicely with lots of room between each group without having to feel like sardines in a tin can. They had a runner going back and forth between fans and the bags/items table so that you didn’t have to worry about dropping off your things before going to get your photo taken. The photos per group/person were timed really well that the bag table was never overflowing and you could easily spot your belongings after you were done. We were allowed to take our masks off for the photo and there was plexiglass between us and Ming-Na. You could tell she was trying to get as close to the plexiglass, almost to the point of being in front of it without coming over to our side. The photo turned out really well! So much so that Kevin (being the magical person that he is) was able to digitally get rid of the plexiglass discolouration and the slight glare from my glasses. You can’t even tell that there is even plexiglass there! Thanks Kevin!
(Photo Credit: Epic Photos)
Q&A Panel
It was a packed house at the Main Stage but everyone spaced themselves out, leaving at least one chair free between each group. We sat near the back of the seating area so that we could sneak out without disturbing too much of the end of the panel to head back to the autograph area. The panel was a lot of fun! I felt rusty doing live-tweeting from a Q&A panel, but I think it went pretty well considering that I was by myself out of our NC group. You can check out the live tweets below.
.@MingNa‘s hubby is not a nerd but will keep buying her #bookofbobafett merch! And she let us pick which shirt she will wear for the rest of the panel! #Starwars #FennecShand #fanexpovancouver2022 pic.twitter.com/WJDSyP0icm
— The Nerdy Curious (@nerdycurious) February 19, 2022
Ming-Na was nerding out with us, interacting with some audience participation and letting loose (clearly she was in the gutter with us) before all the heavy hitting and thoughtful questions from the fans (aka. Mingalings). Overall, it was a great panel!
Autograph Experience Take 2
We hurried over to the Autograph area as the panel was wrapping up. Nothing has changed much – still squished and way too close to other people. But at least everyone in line were still masked up and each group were trying their best face their own group. The con staff were checking to make sure folks whom have received autograph tickets from earlier that morning were allowed to line up first. Nothing like standing in lines to get you back into the swing of all things con! We made it through the line and Ming-Na recognized The Twin Nerds’ cosplay! She asked us how our photo turned out and we showed her the physical copy. While she was signing our items, I took this opportunity (through the plexiglass of course) to thank her for being an amazing role model over the years. Then we got onto the topic of Asian representation, how it has grown, and how now she’ll most likely get the Asian mom and auntie roles now in order to keep up with the competition (her words, not mine haha). But no matter what happens for us Asian Canadians (and Asian Americans), Ming-Na is paving the way with her head held high.
(Photo Credit: The Twin Nerds)
Show Floor
Bucketheads
We love wandering around the show floor to see what’s new, check out some of our favourite vendors, and visit friends we only get to see once a year! This year was no different! Quite a few of our friends from the 501st Legion: Outer Rim Garrison with their screen accurate costumes have joined a fun fan-made film project back in 2018 called Bucketheads: A Star Wars Story. With over 2 million views on Youtube, this short film project turned into a series project during the pandemic!
If you are a fan of Star Wars, like Ming-Na Wen, Emily Swallow, and Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, then the Bucketheads booth was the place to be to check out the latest season of the new show; hang out with a few Stormtroopers, TIE fighter pilots, and production crew; and shop talk all things Star Wars and all the behind-the-scenes filming action! Check out some of the fun photos of these Star Wars stars here! And ya girl has got the scoop – Season 1, Episode 1: Chapter 2 is about to be filmed and will be released for viewing in May! We can’t wait!
Little Heroes
We love venturing through Artist Alley at every Con we go to. There is always a new gem of an artist that we will discover! This time was no different. We fell in love with the chibi-esque/baby style of Little Heroes Art by Will Terry! Check out his booth at a Con near you! I absolutely loved this limited edition Harry Potter tribute artwork that a friend had bought, as well as the Baby Darth Maul with the double-nippled baby bottle! Very apropos for a Baby Darth Maul in diapers! Check out his artwork here!
(Photo Credit: Nerdy Curious)
Conclusion
Signage
What did we think overall during our one-day outing? It was a lot of fun! If I had to nitpick, I would have placed more clear, large signage on where to have your vaccine Passports checked. That way you’re not confused on where to go and won’t have to turn back around and redo the process.
Autograph Area
We liked the idea of handing out Autograph raffle ticket stubs for those whom have waiting in long autograph line, to come back at a later (and specified) time for a guaranteed autograph. Capping off the line was also an excellent idea and kept the crowds moving on the show floor. What could have been better was the spacing of the autograph line taping on the floor. It was too squished that we could not space out properly. If they got rid of every other line of tape, it would double up the space for each line and make it easier for each group and/or person to space out a bit from each other. It won’t be 2 meters (6 feet) apart, but at least we wouldn’t feel like sardines in a tin can.
Overall Experience
All the nerds attending were great at keeping their masks on while inside the convention centre. From what I could tell, everyone took their masks off for food/drinks, and celebrity photo-ops when it was their turn to take their photo. Heck, they even went as far as asking if the cosplayer they wanted a photo with was okay with or without masks, as some people are more comfortable over others. I really loved seeing that and felt very safe the entire time I was there! The best part was being able to give hugs (with permission) to friends whom I haven’t seen 2 years and talk to them in person.
(Photo Credit: The Twin Nerds)
I’m super happy that I was able to attend what I now dub as Ming-Na Appreciation Day, because let’s face it, most of us were clearly there for just her. It made going back to Cons that much easier than going all in for all 3 days after 2 years of not going to Cons at all. It was a lovely reintroduction to all the craziness that is Con. A great job to Fan Expo Vancouver and Vancouver Convention Centre West for getting us back into the nerdy life!
‘Til next time,
Stay Nerdalicious!
