Stories From Behind The Conventions - Eric Wile

I’ve only been on the circuit now for 2 years now, and what started as just a gig speaking at a local science fiction convention in Wichita, KS turned into speak at event’s like Dallas based A-Kon. This year I’ve been working with Colorado Cut Throat, Glitch Con and Carolina Games Summit.

Granted there could be more events in the future, but for now I try not to over book myself. Life as a guest is so much different than just being an attendee. There is the paperwork oh and sometimes there is lots of it, travel arrangements can be somewhat challenging, the mental preparations before the panels and so on.

Airports.... suck.
I think the biggest thing about being a newer speaker/guest is the reception you get in panels. My first three conventions were Chronicles, Chronicles Risen and AFW 2010. Talk about low attendance, the only advantage to Chronicles is meeting VA queen Tiffany Grant (and it was a pleasure).

My first panel I ever hosted had a mere 10 people in attendance, talk about sad. The only highlight is when then a coworker sat in on my panel just to spy on me because they wouldn’t let me have the day off.

From there my panels at Chronicles Risen were flops, and just when I was about to call it quits I contacted Holly and John at AFW here in Wichita, KS. It was my first bigger convention hosting 1,500 people (big for me at the time.)

Once again the panels fall short of my expectations. I was pretty impressed I shared the same stage as Vic Mignogna, Colleen Clinkenbeard and Travis Willingham. Granted none of the VA really know of me mostly because of being so new, but this ultimately opened the door to Naka-Kon, A-Kon and countless others.

Going to Naka-Kon was really an eye opener for me on many levels. Not only because of the personal and professional relationships I’ve made but because this was the first time a panel of mine sold out big time. I had my doubts about game design 101 but after it was all said in done over 100 in attendance.

Beyond that I decided to sit in on the Horror Conventions stories with J. Michael Tatum, Brina Palencia, Clarine Harp and Amelie Belcher. This would forever change my status from some random former Sony Online employee who speaks at conventions to a headliner.

I meet a lot of EverQuest fans/players of both the PC version and Macintosh which to me was really exciting though working on it and being a player are two totally different things. I was offered by a KU (Kansas University student) to speak on Game Design at the university.

This was the first year I cosplayed at an event I was speaking at which this event I was Kimihiro Watanuki of XXX Holic.


My panel at A-Kon
From there I got the biggest surprise being that I was invited to speak at A-Kon in Dallas. I think this blew away my expectations. On many levels between meeting Team Ninja (designers behind Ninja Gaiden), Jesse Sosa (at the time Terminal Reality), Brian Solan, Colorado Cut Throat and one of my favorite authors of all time Peter S. Beagle.


I met Peter S. Beagle at A-Kon.
At this event I cosplayed Dante from DMC. This time around it was different: I was a big head liner and I was treated like a star which I’m not accustom to. My game design 101 panel was sold out and became over booked, Horror Convention Stories did extremely well even though it was me running it by myself.

It’s kind of refreshing to attend conventions from a guest standpoint, but still a challenge mostly due to fans expecting something extraordinary. The first few conventions to be honest I was close to calling it quits. I could not sell out a panel even if I tried!

I guess I really have to thank Holly and John at AFW Wichita for giving me that big break. Granted Game Design 101 and How to break into the gaming industry flopped it got me notary and that’s all it took for Naka-Kon and A-Kon. Honestly it’s been crazy to go from just a walk on guest to what I experienced at A-Kon.

Being backstage and in the green room is something else granted I only had access at A-Kon mostly due to not knowing at the other conventions lol. It was cool to kick with the other guests and staff it’s something very special and I’m glad I can take part.

I’ve met some amazing people since attending the Conventions most noticeably Peter S. Beagle (Last Unicorn), Travis Willingham (Marvel Superhero Squad), J. Michael Tatum (XXX-Holic), Brina Palencia (Game Stop TV), Eric Vale (One Piece), Jesse Sosa (Grandma’s Boy) and Brian Solan (Second Life). Convention wise I would like to thank Russ and Frank of Chronicles Wichita, Holly and John of AFW Wichita, Laura and Yolanda A-Kon.

Meeting Jesse Sosa
So far in 2012 I haven’t spoke as of yet but in time I could be coming to a convention near you!

Eric Wile is a former employee of Sony Online Entertainment. UpcomingCons occasionally features articles from guests and other convention fans, and we are always looking for more.