11/08 @ The Desmond, Albany
Photos by Alison Bachorik
“All the vendors appeared to not only be having a successful event, but a fun time as well, interacting enthusiastically with attendees and making everyone feel welcome, regardless of their investment in the Pokémon universe…”
In case you wanted to feel old today, Pokémon is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, which means the franchise launched in 1996. There are many things to miss about the ‘90s, things that have fallen by the wayside, only to return in an uninspired way for a quick nostalgia buck, if at all. But Pokémon, in all its adorable glory, has persevered and is now arguably bigger than ever.
Which brings us to The Desmond Hotel on Sunday, November 8. Known for hosting a variety of conventions and “festivals,” their first ever PokéKon debuted to the public and I was fortunate enough to attend with my elementary school-aged daughter who is a bit of a superfan — anything I know about these pocket monsters comes directly from her.
The banquet room of The Desmond was filled with vendors of various backgrounds, the majority of which were showcasing a plethora of cards — some in binders to flip through while waiting in line, others underneath glass with price tags that would surprise any outsider. Many fans arrived with binders and shoeboxes from their own collections, eager to barter for whatever prized possession they might come across.
But it wasn’t just the trading cards taking center stage. There was the obligatory selection of relatively mainstream merch; my daughter left with a stuffed Snorlax and a stuffed Bulbasaur (for her sister — fair’s fair.) Elsewhere, artists featured personalized, Pokémon-inspired art for sale, not to mention 3D-printed figures and accessories galore, some of which were quite impressive. One booth even had a large sign promising no AI was used in the making of their art, which brought a smile to my face.
Overall, the whole event felt less like a “Kon” and more like a market, though I admittedly was there on the earlier side and missed the cosplay contest and a voice actor meet-and-greet which undoubtedly brought with them a bit of excitement. To further the fan experience in the future, some non-shopping related elements thrown into the mix would be welcome. Just think of the possibilities! Pokémon face painting. A photo booth. Interactive games. Pokémon-inspired food and beverage selections. Any of the above would have taken the event to the next level, though likely would have required more space than the venue of choice allowed.
If the goal of PokéKon was to sell a whole bunch of stuff, mission accomplished. All the vendors appeared to not only be having a successful event, but a fun time as well, interacting enthusiastically with attendees and making everyone feel welcome, regardless of their investment in the Pokémon universe (something I very much appreciated). In the end however, one can’t help but hope they up the ante and return next year with a bit more pizazz. If they need a consultant… I know just the girl.
Pika pika.
