Con Job

The countdown to Fan Expo Denver is officially on, and in this episode of Con Job, Ryan and Jeremy are joined by Fan Expo Sales Manager Alex Wer for an inside look at one of the biggest upcoming shows on the calendar.

We dive into what vendors, artists, and attendees can expect from this year’s event. From crowd expectations and vendor opportunities to behind-the-scenes insights you usually don’t get to hear, this episode pulls back the curtain on what’s shaping up to be a major weekend.

Along the way, we get into some other interesting conversations, stories, and industry talk that every convention veteran will appreciate. Whether you’re already booked for Denver or just curious how these massive shows come together, there’s plenty here for you.

The first quarter is in the books and we’ve got opinions.

In this episode of Con Job, Ryan and Jeremy break down the best and worst shows of Q1, based on their real experiences behind the vendor table. No sugarcoating, just honest takes on which shows delivered, which ones missed, and why.

But it’s not just a highlight reel. We zoom out and talk about the bigger trends shaping the convention scene right now, from shifting buyer behavior and pricing pressure to what’s actually moving product in today’s market. If you’ve been feeling like things are changing… you’re not wrong.

Grab your popcorn, sit back and ENJOY!!

In this special 250th episode of Con Job, Ryan goes solo and does a Lone Pod to break down Imagicon (April 24–26), in Minot, ND. This is an unfiltered, behind-the-table look at his first trip to North Dakota and what how the show went. It's different in that he did it in 3 segments, 1 after each day was complete which means you get an unfiltered view of the show.

Tune in and see if Ryan can handle both the discussion AND the production of the #1 Convention Related podcast out there. Enjoy!!!

In this episode of Con Job, the holy triumvirate are all back together to break down SC Comic Con, and this one’s as clean as the show itself. A nice little two-day event that runs like a well-oiled machine… and yes, Ryan’s favorite part: no unnecessary third day.

We dive into the vendor-side experience from all angles.

Sometimes bigger isn’t better, and SC Comic Con might be the perfect example of that.

In this episode of Con Job, Ryan and Jeremy are joined once again by Eric Melendez from E’s Apparel to break down C2E2, one of the biggest shows on the circuit,and Eric’s bringing the full in-person report.

We dish the real 411 on everything that mattered: crowd energy, buying habits, booth performance, and how the show stacked up compared to expectations. Was it a win for vendors? Did the traffic translate into sales? And what lessons should you be taking into your next event? Enjoy!!

In this episode of Con Job, Ryan, Jeremy, and Dylan break down Planet Comic Con, fresh off last weekend but with a twist. Schedules didn’t line up, so we had to split this one into two parts, which means you’ll get the full recap… and plenty of Ryan dragging things out in both segments. You’ve been warned.

We cover everything from what worked, what didn’t and where does Planet Comic Con stack up compared to other stops on the circuit?

It’s a little chaotic, and it’s exactly what you’d expect when three vendors try to piece together a full recap without ever being in the same room...ENJOY!!

In this episode of Con Job, Ryan, Jeremy, and Dylan are joined by Rich Capobianco from Fan Expo, once again, to get the promoter’s perspective on MegaCon. We discuss what went right, what challenges popped up, and what it really takes to run a show of this scale.

Then we flip the script and get a vendors point of view. We’re joined by world-renowned artist Megan Withey to dive into the vendor-side reality of MegaCon. We get into the new booth setup, performance and the overall vibe of the show.

And yes… we get into it. The FedEx fiasco, you'll want to tune in just to hear that story alone.

If you want the full picture of MegaCon, from the people running it to the people grinding it out on the floor, then this is the episode you’ve been waiting for. Enjoy!!

In this episode of Con Job, Jeremy and Ryan are joined by Eric Melendez from E’s Apparel to break down Emerald City Comic Con, which all three of us attended last weekend. From booth traffic to crowd energy and how the show stacked up overall.

But the con itself wasn’t the only adventure. We also dive into the other interesting chaotic moments, from flight nightmares to the very questionable part of town we ended up staying in. Let’s just say… the stories alone are worth the listen.

It’s part show recap, part survival story, and all the honest behind-the-scenes convention talk you’ve come to expect from Con Job.

Enjoy!!

The dust has barely settled, and we’re already breaking it all down. In this episode of Con Job, Jeremy gives a full boots on the ground recap of Pensacon, which wrapped up last weekend. We talk vendor traffic, buyer behavior, show flow, and the small details that made a big difference.

From there, we shift gears with a few early tidbits on the MegaCon map. What’s catching our attention, what might raise eyebrows, and how layout alone can change the entire vendor experience. If you’ve ever underestimated floor placement, this part might change how you look at big shows.

To close it out, we touch on Emerald City, what we’re watching, and how it fits into the bigger picture as the season ramps up.

If you’re planning shows, budgeting weekends, or just want the honest, unfiltered vendor take on what’s happening right now in the con world, this episode delivers.

In this episode of Con Job, Ryan and Jeremy break down how fan expectations have shifted, why quality and presentation matter more than ever, and what artists and vendors need to change if they want to stay profitable at conventions in 2026 and beyond.

If you sell in Artist Alley, Vendor Hall, or rely on convention income, this episode isn’t about hype it’s about adapting...Adapt of Die....Enjoy!!