A Geek Convention Will Raise Money for Bully-Prevention
Organizers to show that geek is anything but meek
Vancouver, British Columbia: The success of the sitcom “The Big Bang Theory” made it so that being a geek was finally cool. But it was not that long ago that geeks were bullied for being different. This is why Vancouver events company “Van Expo” will present a fundraiser, and multi-genre geek comic convention called Geektopia Fan & Comic Convention: A Journey to Somewhere on July 6, 2019, at the Harbour Convention Centre. Part of the proceeds will go to the Amanda Todd Legacy Society, a non-profit committed to confronting the ever-evolving tactics of bullying and named after a young girl who died by suicide due to cyber-bullying. The purpose of Geektopia is to provide a first-class venue to “bring it" as a fan of everything geeky, all while helping to build spaces where those who feel different will not feel hopeless.
Dr. Ali Mattu, a science fiction psychologist discusses the connection between comic conventions and hope. According to this behavior expert, comic conventions are spaces for fans to express thanks to the characters and content creators who have shaped their lives. This “super emotion” that is gratitude not only helps the person expressing it, but also lifts up the mood of all those who witness it. “Gratitude has been shown to undo negative emotions, make positive emotions last longer, improve resilience to stress, increase helping behavior, and improve physical health”, making comic conventions an extremely hopeful & healthy experience.
Geektopia: A Journey to Somewhere will be a day-long cosplay spectacle taking over two floors, 37,000+ square feet and one full sized theatre. Organizers advise fans to expect a lot of programming such as local & celebrity panelists, educational seminars and a cosplay competition open to all and much more. For those not seeking to participate in programming, they can enjoy the sights, make new friends, and visit hundreds of vendors. Whether you're interested in anime, fantasy, horror, Sci-fi, cosplay, gaming or art, Geektopia will be a geeky oasis where everyone can feel like they belong. Early bird day passes: $25, Youth: $15 and children: free. To get your passes, visit geektopia.ca/tickets.
VAN EXPO produces special events in the Greater Vancouver Area with the mission to entertain the general public in a way that makes raising awareness, contributions and assistance to charitable organizations feel fun and easy. Last year, they hosted the International Sailor Moon Day Festival which was a complete success and raised over $5,200 for Vancouver's WAVAW Rape Crises Centre. Events are also done with the intention of opening doors for local businesses. For more on Geektopia or for information about the Amanda Todd Legacy Society, please visit the event's official website.
EVENT DETAILS:
Saturday, July 6, 2019 @ 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Harbour Convention Centre, The Plaza of Nations
750 Pacific Blvd, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2R8
