Blerdcon

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Blerdcon
StatusActive
GenreMulti-genre[1][2]
VenueHyatt Regency Crystal City at Reagan National Airport
Location(s)Arlington, Virginia
CountryUnited States
Inaugurated2017
Websitehttps://blerdcon.com/

Blerdcon is an annual three-day multi-genre convention held during July at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City at Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Virginia. The conventions name comes from the word "blerds", a term for black nerds, and was founded by Hilton George.[1][3][4] Blerdcon aims to be diverse and inclusive.[3][4]

Programming[]

Blerdcon typically features an cosplay contests, concerts, gaming tournaments, maid café, panels, vendors, and workshops.[1][5][6][7] The gaming room is open 24-hours during the event.[3][6][8]

History[]

Blerdcon's idea came out of the experience of attending another convention, MomoCon.[1] First year attendance was higher than expected, with 1,800 people.[3] Blerdcon 2020 was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[9][10][7] Blerdcon 2021 required attendees to wear masks and provide their COVID-19 vaccination card.[7] The cosplay contest caused controversy in 2021 due to it being won by a Caucasian female.[11][12]

Event history[]

Dates Location Atten. Guests
June 30 - July 2, 2017 Hyatt Regency Crystal City at Reagan National Airport
Arlington, Virginia		1,800 (est.)[3]Bec's Cosplay Wonderland and Eric "The Smoke" Moran.[13]
July 27–29, 2018 Hyatt Regency Crystal City at Reagan National Airport
Arlington, Virginia		Karan Ashley, Mega Ran, Michael "Knightmage" Wilson,[14] Douriean Fletcher, Kevin Grevioux, and Keisha Tucker.[15]
July 12–14, 2019 Hyatt Regency Crystal City at Reagan National Airport
Arlington, Virginia		Beau Billingslea, Estelle,[16] Shaina “Samuraider” West, and Rachel True.[17]
July 16-18, 2021 Hyatt Regency Crystal City at Reagan National Airport
Arlington, Virginia		Karan Ashley,[18] Dax ExclamationPoint, Barr Foxx, Roxxy Haze, Wreck it Ronnie, Scotty Swan, Violette Verse, and Yeliz.[19]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d Rozen, Courtney (Jun 30, 2017). "Blerdcon Blends Diversity and Geek Culture". NBC4 Washington. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
  2. ^ Allen, Troy-Jeffrey (August 7, 2018). "Adventures at BLERDCON DC". Black Public Media. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
  3. ^ a b c d e Page-Kirby, Kristen (July 26, 2018). "Now bigger and brighter, the 2nd annual Blerdcon has space for everyone". Washington Post. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  4. ^ a b "Showcasing amazing cosplay looks for Blerdcon 2018". WUSA. July 25, 2018. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  5. ^ Berko, Katherine (30 June 2017). "'Minority Nerd' Convention Coming to Crystal City". ARLnow. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
  6. ^ a b Lefrak, Mikaela (July 26, 2018). "Blerdcon Is Back: What To Expect From The Convention That Celebrates Black-Nerd Culture". WAMU. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
  7. ^ a b c DeVoe, Jo (16 July 2021). "Inclusive 'Blerdcon' Convention Kicks Off in Crystal City". ARLnow. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
  8. ^ Orobana, Michelle (July 1, 2018). "Blerdcon". Whurk Magazine. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
  9. ^ "BLERDCON ANNOUNCEMENT". Facebook. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  10. ^ "Blerdcon 2020 Information". FanCons.com. Retrieved 2020-05-29.
  11. ^ Cardin, Kathryn (22 July 2021). "White woman wins cosplay contest at convention celebrating Black nerds, sparking outrage". The Daily Dot. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
  12. ^ Banim, Julia (July 22, 2021). "White Woman Wins Cosplay Contest At Convention Celebrating Black Nerds". UNILAD. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
  13. ^ "Blerdcon 2017 Information". FanCons.com. Retrieved 2018-08-17.
  14. ^ "Blerdcon 2018 Information". FanCons.com. Retrieved 2018-08-17.
  15. ^ Pincus, Melanie (20 July 2018). "Blerdcon, 'Fully Inclusive' Convention for Nerds, Returns to Crystal City". ARLnow. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
  16. ^ "Blerdcon 2019 Information". FanCons.com. Retrieved 2019-09-10.
  17. ^ "3rd Annual Blerdcon Celebrates Diversity in Nerd Culture". The Zebra. 7 August 2019. Retrieved 10 September 2019.
  18. ^ "Blerdcon 2021 Information". FanCons.com. Retrieved 2021-08-11.
  19. ^ Cremen, Alanea (July 16, 2021). "BlerdCon: Why you may see Spider-Man, Batman and more walking around this weekend". WUSA. Retrieved 12 August 2021.

External links[]

Coordinates: 38°50′55″N 77°3′6″W / 38.84861°N 77.05167°W / 38.84861; -77.05167

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