We couldn’t think of a better place to host a science fiction and fantasy convention than downtown Appleton. Conquer Con will be the area’s first SFF convention and Appleton’s cultural heart is the perfect place to host it.
The Location
The Fox Cities Exhibition Center is brand new and the 30,000 sq. ft. facility is large enough to host 1,000 of our closest SFF friends. At Conquer Con, the three great halls at the expo center will showcase vendors, speakers and panels, and hands-on gaming and playing. Two smaller spaces will serve as our VIP lounge and workshop space for budding creatives. The adjacent Jones Park provides a bit of fun and change of scenery.
The Local Businesses
Downtown Appleton is also a great host because of the many locally owned shops and restaurants. While at Conquer Con, we encourage you to get a bite to eat at Antojitos, Appleton Beer Factory, or Sal’s Pizza, which has the fastest, biggest pizza slices on the strip. Also try boba tea at Fika Tea Bar, Ryan’s favorite pub, McGuinness, or ACOCA Coffee which has Rebecca’s favorite downtown Chai.
While we have a full day planned for you at Conquer Con, if you want to stretch your legs, we highly recommend Blue Moon Emporium for hand-made souvenirs or the Ready Player 2 Arcade Bar.
The great thing is, all of the local businesses we’ve mentioned here are within easy walking distance of the Expo Center. You can get more restaurant and shop ideas from Appleton Downtown Inc.
The Community Support
Downtown Appleton has the infrastructure and good vibes it takes to support a large-scale SFF convention, but hosting Conquer Con here is also a way for us to give back to the community we grew up in.
We also want to help support the local authors, video game makers, artists, and vendors that are doing something…a little different. Supporting the local creative and entertainment industry is a top priority for us and we can do it best together.
Finally, this community needs more MAGIC, more STRANGE. Help us bring something unique and fabulous to the area that speaks to the local SSF fan base and tells them they’re not obsessing over Jon Snow’s last actions alone. Or, use the convention to make it a little easier for your family to understand why you’re dressed up as that movie/book/game character…again. Help us prove why geeks and nerds are the funnest around, not to mention our future.
Conquer Con is going to be a fun, AMAZING, science fiction and fantasy convention. But it’s also a catalyst for change.
