The Evolution of Conventions, Fandom, and Cosplay
Do you know conventions (cons), fandom, and cosplay can be traced back to the 19th century? The earliest gatherings featured Janeites, fans of Jane Austen, around 1870. Over 150 years later, modern Janeites, dressed in elaborate period costumes and writing romantic fiction about Mr. and Mrs. Darcy, attend cons with as much enthusiasm as fans of Star Trek, Star Wars, and Harry Potter.
The history of pop culture fan conventions has significantly grown and evolved in Florida. These events have always been places where like-minded people find identity and community. Early cons were modest affairs, often held in small venues like small hotel ballrooms, where fans gathered to discuss and listen to panels featuring industry insiders.
National science fiction fandom dates back to the World Science Fiction Convention in 1939, but locally, Omnicon started in South Florida in 1979. It focused on Doctor Who but included other guests and various media programs. Held in Miami, it ran for about eight years before trying to move to Orlando. However, the transition to a new city and the increasing competition from other conventions led to financial and logistical challenges, eventually causing it to fold in the 1990s.
Miami was also home to Florida’s first comic book convention in 1971, five years after the first Comicon in New York. Initially held in an unairconditioned Fireman’s Hall in Coral Gables, Miami Comicon quickly became popular among local comic book enthusiasts. Running through 1975, it set the stage for future conventions in the state and proved pivotal for the emerging comic book scene.
As the popularity of comic books grew, so did the conventions. By the early 1970s, comicons were becoming better organized and attracting larger crowds. While the focus was still primarily on comic books, the scope began to widen. As comicons grew in popularity, they began to attract a more diverse audience. Fans not only wanted to celebrate their favorite characters and stories but also to become them.
After attending the World Science Fiction Convention in Los Angeles in the 1980s, Nobuyuki Takahashi coined cosplay in Japan. Impressed by the elaborate costumes, he introduced the concept to Japanese audiences through his magazine, “My Anime.” Cosplay – involving creating and wearing costumes and accessories to represent a character – quickly gained traction in Japan and became integral to fan culture.
In the United States, cosplay also rose, with early cosplayers often crafting costumes by hand. This dedication and craftsmanship set the stage for a thriving subculture, turning passive media consumption into active participation.
The 1990s and early 2000s marked a significant turning point for comicons and cosplay because the internet now connected fans worldwide. Online forums, social media, and dedicated cosplay websites allowed cosplayers to showcase their work, share tutorials, and build a community. They also played a crucial role in promoting and organizing conventions, contributing to their growth and diversity.
Comic cons became more inclusive, embracing various pop culture genres, including anime, video games, movies, and television shows. This expansion naturally attracted a broader audience, making cosplay a prominent feature of the con experience. Cosplay contests and masquerades became highlights, showcasing incredible talent and creativity and transforming conventions into immersive experiences that thrill and excite attendees.
Today, MegaCon Orlando is one of Florida’s largest and most popular comicons, attracting thousands of people of all ages yearly. Self-described as “the mecca for all things geeky and great,” it features celebrity appearances, panels, cosplay contests, and an extensive exhibit hall covering all aspects of pop culture.
Florida Supercon, held annually in Miami since 2006, has become a staple event. It includes various pop culture elements such as comics, anime, and video games. Tampa Bay Comic Con, debuting in 2000, features a mix of comic book dealers, artists, celebrity guests, and cosplay activities and is steadily growing in popularity.
Holiday Matsuri in Orlando, running since 2011, focuses on anime and Japanese pop culture, featuring cosplay contests, dance parties, and unique holiday-themed events. Pensacon, held in Pensacola since 2014, has gained a reputation for its diverse lineup of guests and programming, covering various aspects of pop culture.
Celebrating ten years in 2025, Tampa Bay Screams is the longest-running horror convention in Tampa Bay. By fans and for fans of grindhouse, drive-in, arthouse, cult classics, and midnight movie cinema and pop culture, attendees celebrate horror, sci-fi, sword and sorcery and meet their favorite fright film celebrities.
BrickUniverse, the ultimate event for LEGO fans of all ages, is coming to Sarasota for the first time in January. Founded in 2014 by then-fourteen-year-old Greyson J. Riley, it celebrates the endless possibilities of LEGO bricks.
If it exists as a person, place, or thing, a convention has been or will be eventually born around it.
From early simple costumes to today’s elaborate and highly detailed creations, cosplay has evolved alongside the conventions. And with the advent of technology, such as 3D printing and digital fabrication, the future of costume creation is more exciting than ever.
Amanda McLelland, a cosplay enthusiast who attended her first con in 2002, explains her design process: “If I am designing from scratch, it can take anywhere from a couple of hours to a couple of days, depending on how complex or how strongly I feel about my choices. Cosplays generally take me about a month and a half to make if I am very focused on them. Still, I have several projects that I have been passively working on for years.”
Andrew Brunner, another cosplayer, shares his experience: “Most of my costumes are things that you can piece together. My proton pack for my Ghostbusters costume took about three months with the help of a friend. My favorite part about conventions is the costumes—not just wearing them myself, but seeing all the hard work everyone puts into theirs.”
Florida’s pop culture fan conventions have grown from humble beginnings into significant events that attract fans worldwide.
McLelland adds, “Conventions are about community. They are about spending time with friends from all over the country, enjoying a shared interest. Personally, cosplay also keeps me coming back to conventions as it is amazing to show off your hard work and learn from other cosplayers.” •
UPCOMING CONS
Charlie’s Comic Con 2025 January 11, 2025
Riverside Community Center, Fort Myers, FL
Sarasota Anime-Fest 2025 January 11, 2025
Sarasota Municipal Auditorium, Sarasota, FL
Brick City Anime Festival 2025 January 11-12
2025 World Equestrian Center Expo Building 1, Ocala, FL
Central Florida Comic Con 2025 January 17-19, 2025
RP Funding Center, Lakeland, FL
SWFL Anime-Fest Winter 2025 January 19, 2025
Embassy Suites by Hilton Fort Myers, Estero, FL
Tampa Bay Screams 2025 January 19, 2025
OCC Road House & Museum, Clearwater, FL
SSA+S Toracon 2025 February 1, 2025
Sarasota School of Arts & Sciences, Sarasota, FL
MegaCon Orlando 2025 February 6-9 2025
Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL
