ConBravo!

ConBravo!
ConBravo! Logo
Status	Active
Genre	New media, gaming, anime
Date(s)	July 28–30, 2017
Venue	Hamilton Convention Centre
Location(s)	Hamilton, Ontario
Country	Canada
Inaugurated	July 3–4, 2010
Attendance	4572 (2016)
Organized by	TeamBravo! Inc.
Website
ConBravo!

ConBravo! is an annual fan-run new media, gaming, and anime convention held during July in Ontario, Canada since 2010. The convention was created as a multi-genre event which has given it much of its framework, but has since begun to tout its specialization in the aforementioned areas.^[1]

It is notable for the special attention it has paid to online personalities,^[2] including the first Canadian speaking appearances of Doug Walker, Noah Antwiler, Angry Joe, Nathan Barnatt and the Angry Video Game Nerd James Rolfe in 2011 and 2012.^[3] Further, its 2012 show was the first time James Rolfe and Doug Walker appeared at a convention together,^[4] revisiting an online rivalry which saw a boom in popularity for the latter. The show has since featured the first Canadian speaking engagements of Jonathan "JonTron" Jafari, and game designer and contributor to Extra Credits James Portnow.

Programming

Live Events

Quiz shows, game shows, and other live participation events are a staple of the convention. Many are run by the 404s and other external groups, with a number of slots reserved for staff-run games. Popular features include Improv All-Stars – usually hosted by the 404s Improv Comedy Troupe with special guests, Live Action Mario Party – a live-action recreation of the popular Nintendo game, D20 Live – a D20 pen-and-paper RPG scenario played out by guests of the con, the arcade and freeplay gaming halls, and the wide variety of LARP-based events such as Archery Tag and Troll Bowl.

Panels & Workshops

Includes discussions with guests; how-to sessions for costumers, video editors, podcasters, etc.; fan sessions about popular media genres including specific brands and series'; craft workshops for puppetry and props.

Costume Events

The Masquerade runs over Saturday evening and is a major draw for costumers of all ages. It follows the guidelines of the International Costumers Guild and is divided into Novice, Journeyman, Artisan, and Master categories, with awards and prizes for showings in each. As well, there are hall cosplay awards which are given by floorwalking judges on the spot.

Arena Events

Largely played in the Arena space, these events include regular freeplay with boffer weapons (accompanied by tutorials on LARP and other associated activities), Archery Tag, Troll Bowl (a competitive capture-the-flag boffer game), a NERF war, and Quidditch.

Electronic Gaming

Includes freeplay and tournament gaming. Classic and retro gaming makes up a significant portion of programming, along with tournaments hosted by Even Matchup Gaming and the internal departmental staff. Typically there is a mixture of fighting games, shooters, and classic arcade challenges presented, with many competitions livestreamed. The gaming hall also includes a large number of arcade cabinets which are free to play.

Tabletop Gaming

Featuring card and board games like Munchkin and Settlers of Catan primarily, along with RPGs such as Pathfinder and Dungeons & Dragons, and TCGs like Yu-Gi-Oh and Magic: The Gathering. Includes regular freeplay and a number of competitive tracks, particularly for MTG and Pokémon.

Musical Events

Friday night features multiple concerts where geek-themed artists perform from genres including chiptune and nerdcore. Saturday night features DanceBravo!, a dance open to all attendees of the convention hosted by DJ Janos and regularly featuring Dj CUTMAN, Benjamin Briggs, Epikuro, and Grimecraft.

Autographs & Guest Walkabouts

Autograph signings are regularly available for most of the major guests. Many of the guests also do a floor walk session, sometimes dressing up as their characters and filming sessions for their shows with fan participation while at the convention.

InVid Showcase

An indie video showcase run in collaboration with Channel Awesome,^[5] InVid is set up as an open competition, accepting review shows, short films, effect demos, and AMVs for consideration. Selected videos are shown in a 20-slot run, with the top 3 being awarded special prizes including being featured at Channel Awesome's main outlet thatguywiththeglasses.com. This seems to be defunct as it has not run since 2012.

Event History

Facilities

2013-2016

In 2013, the convention moved to the Hamilton Convention Centre, later the Hamilton Convention Centre by Carmen's. It has since remained here, expanding to the adjoining Sheraton Hamilton Hotel, connected to the convention centre via skybridge. Large daytime events are held at both facilities, including fixtures such as an Arena space that features boffer and NERF events, a large electronic gaming hall that includes arcade cabinets, freeplay and retro consoles, a tournament area, and a PC gaming lounge, a large tabletop gaming space that includes CCGs, wargaming, RPGs, and more, two main event spaces known as the Main and Second Stages, numerous panel rooms, two cosplay photography studio spaces, and since 2016, a family-focused rest area called KidBravo!. The convention also has several rooftop and other outdoor areas that are used for photography opportunities.

2011-2012

ConBravo! moved to the Burlington Holiday Inn Hotel & Conference Centre. Panels were initially held in a divided space alongside Tabletop Gaming, while Electronic Gaming was extended to run both days in its own dedicated space. Events was held in one ballroom, the Marketplace in the other, upgraded in large proportion from the original Oakville space. The outdoor greenspace available at the hotel was utilized for a series of outdoor events including a boffer arena and competitive capture-the-flag style games presented by Epoch LARP and various other groups.

2010

The initial site was at the Holiday Inn (Oakville) on Argus Rd, located south of Sheridan College. It featured Events running out of the largest ballroom, with Tabletop and Electronic Gaming on the Sunday only, which took over half of the event space for that day. A dedicated coat check and volunteer office was available, as well as dedicated panel rooms in the hotel's breakout room area. The marketplace was run in the second largest ballroom as a dedicated space (lockable) which included a solarium (non-lockable) where some artists were set up.

Mascot

Connie Bravo is ConBravo!'s traditional mascot, a female adventurer with short red hair, clad in a blue-and-yellow convention shirt, leather jacket, black jeans, and red chucks. She was originally designed by the convention chair and has since been rendered by Katie Shanahan, a Toronto local artist and co-author of Silly Kingdom, former Giant Bomb artist Kat Smith, and Kyu-Bum Lee, animator and artist who has worked for YTV and Nelvana. For the 2012 show, she was officially portrayed by Jennifer Norman, a Toronto-local cosplayer.

Other Activities

ConBravo!'s key staff are responsible for several other affiliated shows, branded as "ConBravo! Presents". These include:

FanFare Geek Fest

A single-day event consisting of a Vendors Room, Gaming Area, and Events Area. The first iteration was held for free as a promotional event out of the Sheraton Hamilton Hotel. The second will be held at the International Plaza Hotel in Toronto, ON and feature much expanded facilities. Admission is $10.00 at the door, or $5.00 with a ConBravo! pass (weekend and days are accepted).

Super Audio Land

This is a concert series facilitated by ConBravo!, centring on music derived from videogames and similar fandom-related sources. The first iteration ran on May 16 at the El Mocambo Tavern in Toronto, ON, with the second at Lee's Palace on June 6.

References