Tag Archive for: atlanta convention

AUTHORS, COMIC CREATORS, SCIENTISTS, AND MAGICIANS IGNITE CREATIVITY AND FUEL FANDOM AT DRAGON CON

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 7/25/25

Dragon Con, Atlanta’s internationally known pop culture, fantasy, sci-fi, and gaming convention, is a hub for creators, experts, and thought leaders from a wide range of fields who help fans explore their interests.

While the convention’s celebrity guests get immediate notice, only about a quarter of Dragon Con’s roster of guests come from television and movies. The majority of convention guests are storytellers, artists, scientists, and other experts in fields like science, space exploration, digital rights, and more.

“Our authors, comic creators, and experts don’t just help fans understand the world — they make sure no one leaves without having their minds at least slightly blown,” convention co-chair Rachel Reeves said. “Whether they’re diving into speculative fiction or tackling real-world topics like science, space, civil rights, or skepticism, we bring in sharp minds who can break down big ideas and make it fun.”

Dragon Con’s 2025 convention runs from Thursday, Aug. 28 to Monday, Sept. 1 with events and activities across five host hotels – Hyatt Regency Atlanta, Marriott Marquis, Hilton Atlanta, Westin Peachtree, and Courtland Grand Hotel – and AmericasMart Buildings #2 and #3.

Reporters from any outlet approved to cover Dragon Con are invited to seek interviews with artists, authors, and other creators and experts who are attending the convention – not just those listed below, but any guest or attending professional.  For more information, please contact interviews@dragoncon.org.

Guests have the final say on whether to do an interview. They may be limited by schedule, contractual obligations, or other reasons.

Authors

Dragon Con’s roster of science fiction and fantasy authors includes master storytellers whose characters and worlds have transported readers across galaxies, into magical realms, and onto The New York Times Best Sellers list — while racking up awards along the way. Timothy Zahn, author of more than 40 novels including the iconic Thrawn Star Wars series, returns this year. Jim Butcher, best known for The Dresden Files, brings not only his bestselling books but also his outspoken advocacy for mental health awareness. Jack Campbell, the pen name of retired Navy officer John G. Hemry, is a fan favorite for his blend of military science fiction and epic space opera. Roswell, Georgia’s own Delilah Dawson, was recently chosen to continue the beloved Shannara series. Also appearing: Richard Kadrey, whose Sandman Slim books have earned cult status, and Michael Stackpole, the multi-genre storyteller known for his work in novels, games, and screenwriting.

Comic Creators

Comics — and the powerhouse writers and artists behind them — are a cornerstone of Dragon Con, taking fans into the creative process behind the legendary heroes, villains, and worlds that have shaped pop culture as we know it. Craig Kyle, a longtime Marvel writer best known for creating fan-favorite X-23 and contributing to X-Force, New X-Men, and Amazing X-Men, will be on hand along with Eisner Award–winning artist and writer Becky Cloonan, who made waves with her self-published hit The Mire, earning her both critical acclaim and the prestigious Inkpot Award. Former Marvel editor-in-chief Tom DeFalco brings decades of experience and more than fifty published works to the table. Legendary writer Steve Englehart has shaped the stories of Spider-Man, Captain America, The Fantastic Four, Batman, and Superman. Illustrator Darick Robertson, co-creator of Transmetropolitan and The Boys, bridges comics and screen as a creator and executive producer. And Colleen Doran, a New York Times bestselling artist, has contributed to Neil Gaiman’s Troll Bridge and Stan Lee’s Amazing, Fantastic, Incredible.

Electronic Frontiers Foundation

Dragon Con’s EFF track exists at the intersection of technology, law, activism, and society, and how they fit within the framework of a democratic society, touching on AI, information security, privacy, and individual rights online. This year’s guests bring serious policy chops to Dragon Con. They include: Meredith Rose, senior policy counsel at Public Knowledge and a science fiction and fantasy/horror author, covers tech, copyright, fandom, and music. Kurt Opsahl of the Filecoin Foundation focuses on cybersecurity and protecting the decentralized web. Hayley Tsukayama, associate director of legislative activism at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, drives state-level tech and privacy policy. And Tatiana Rice, director of AI legislation at the Future of Privacy Forum, explores the shifting dynamics between AI, data privacy, and civil rights.

Space Scientists

The Space track explores the unfathomable vastness of space, from manned missions to low earth orbit to the latest telescopes, missions, and probes that are bringing back hard information about our solar system, our galaxy, and regions beyond. This year’s guests span galaxies — and disciplines. They include: Les Johnson, futurist, author, and NASA technologist, writes both space science for the public and hard science fiction. Dr. Brett McGuire, astrochemist and MIT professor, has contributed to cutting-edge work at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory and Harvard-Smithsonian. Astrophysicist Steph LaMassa helps lead research on supermassive black holes with the James Webb Space Telescope. Dr. Robert E. Hampson, neuroscientist and author, explores how the brain encodes memory at Wake Forest. And Kim Steadman, systems engineer at NASA, is planning surface operations for NASA’s Dragonfly mission to Titan.

Science

Dragon Con’s Science Track brings together experts from a wide range of fields to share their passions and dive into the real-world science that fuels fandom, challenges assumptions, and sparks curiosity. This year’s guests include paleontologists David Moscato and Will Harris, co-hosts of The Common Descent Podcast, who use fossil hunting experience to lead entertaining discussions about life on Earth; Award-winning science writer Bethany Brookshire explores how humans relate to the environment and their place in it; Ryan Consell, an engineering professor and author of the Stealing from Wizards series, blends science with storytelling; and psychopharmacologist Jessica Cail, a Hollywood science advisor, unpacks addiction and the science behind favorite shows from Marvel, Disney, and Netflix.

Skeptics

Experts presenting in the Skeptic track teach critical thinking and good science in an entertaining way, giving fans the tools to spot scams, misdirection, and misinformation. This year’s guests include Brian Brushwood, award-winning magician and host of the hit podcast The World’s Greatest Con; comedian and director Ian Harris, known for his dead-on impressions and smart, socially charged humor; author and stand-up comic Leighann Lord, a StarTalkRadio co-host with Neil de Grasse Tyson and veteran of Comedy Central, HBO, and Showtime; and Curt Anderson, a professional magician and academic who specializes in human deception and how we fall for it.

About Dragon Con

Dragon Con is the internationally known pop culture convention held each Labor Day Weekend (Aug. 28 – Sept. 1, 2025) in Atlanta. Organized for fans, Dragon Con features more than 3,500 hours of comics, film, television, costuming, art, music, and gaming over four days. For more information, please visit www.dragoncon.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and X.

DRAGON CON 2024 – GUESTS OF HONOR NAMED

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 6/26/24

DRAGON CON NAMES KRESS, PICACIO AS

2024 LITERARY AND ARTIST GUESTS OF HONOR

Thursday, August 29th – Monday, September 2nd

Dragon Con, Atlanta’s internationally known pop culture, fantasy, sci-fi, and gaming convention, has named author Nancy Kress and artist John Picacio as its 2024 Literary and Artist Guests of Honor.

Dragon Con’s 2024 convention runs from Thursday, Aug. 29 to Monday, Sept. 2 with events and activities across five host hotels – Hyatt Regency Atlanta, Marriott Marquis, Hilton Atlanta, Westin Peachtree, and Courtland Grand Hotel (formerly Sheraton Atlanta) – and AmericasMart Buildings #2 and #3.

From its first convention in 1987, Dragon Con has spotlighted the authors and artists whose creative contributions have breathed life into the realms of fantasy and science fiction as Literary and Artist Guests of Honor. Both Kress and Picacio will be recognized throughout the event and will be on hand to meet fans and participate in panels to provide insight into their success and love of fandom.

Nancy Kress is a multi-award-winning science fiction author whose work explores the far reaches of science and its impact on humanity. Kress, a prolific writer, has penned over thirty books, including acclaimed novels such as Hugo and Nebula Award-winning Beggars in Spain and the multiple Nebula Award-winning Fall series. Her stories delve into genetic engineering, societal change, and the ethical dilemmas of a future shaped by technology. Beyond novels, Kress is a skilled writer of short stories and a passionate advocate for the craft, having served as a columnist for Writer’s Digest and instructor at workshops like Clarion. For more information, visit https://nancykress.com/

John Picacio is an award-winning artist renowned for his captivating illustrations in the realms of science fiction, fantasy, and horror. Over his illustrious career, Picacio has brought iconic scenes to life for major franchises including Star Trek and X-Men, as well as gracing the covers of bestselling books by George R.R. Martin, Michael Moorcock, and countless others.  A master of both traditional and digital techniques, Picacio’s artwork is celebrated for its depth, vibrancy, and imaginative portrayal of fantastical worlds.  He is a three-time Hugo Award winner and has garnered numerous accolades throughout his career, solidifying his place as a leading light in the genre. For more information about John, please visit https://johnpicacio.com/

About Dragon Con

Dragon Con is the internationally known pop culture convention held each Labor Day Weekend (Aug. 29 – Sept. 2, 2024) in Atlanta. Organized for fans, Dragon Con features more than 3,500 hours of comics, film, television, costuming, art, music, and gaming over four days. For more information, please visit www.dragoncon.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).

WILLIAM SHATNER, EDWARD JAMES OLMOS, MARY MCDONNELL, AND DAVID RAMSEY LEAD AN ALL-STAR CAST OF HEROES AND VILLAINS AT 35th ANNUAL DRAGON CON

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 8/11/21

Olmos, McDonnell Lead a Meet-up of Colonists and Cylons; Superman Tom Welling Squares Off with

Lex Luthor Michael Rosenbaum in Smallville Reunion; Sonequa Martin-Green

Captains The Star Trek Discovery Into Atlanta

 

William Shatner and Oscar-nominated actors Edward James Olmos and Mary McDonnell, plus David Ramsey, Alex Kingston, and Zachary Levi lead a long list of celebrity guests headed to Dragon Con, Atlanta’s internationally known pop culture, fantasy, science fiction, and gaming convention, for Labor Day weekend.

Other top guests from television and movies including Doctor Who’s Christopher Eccleston and Billie Piper; Smallville’s Tom Welling, Michael Rosenbaum, and Laura Vandervoort; Star Trek Discovery’s Sonequa Martin-Green, Mary Wiseman, and Anthony Rapp; The Walking Dead’s Ross Marquand, Dan Fogler, and Nadia Hilker; Bonnie Wright and Matthew Lewis from the Harry Potter franchise; and Hall of Fame professional wrestler Diamond Dallas Page.

An estimated 42,000 people are expected to attend Dragon Con, now in its 35th year, over the five-day Labor Day Weekend – Sept. 2 to Sept. 6 – with events and activities across AmericasMart Buildings One and Two and five host hotels – Hyatt Regency Atlanta, Marriott Marquis, Hilton Atlanta, Westin Peachtree, and Sheraton Atlanta.

While there will be far fewer people at this year’s convention, the footprint remains the same, creating opportunities to reduce crowding and implement other changes and health & safety related protocols. A complete list of the changes can be found here: https://www.dragoncon.org/updates/

Literary Guest of Honor John Scalzi, an award-winning science fiction novelist best known for his Old Man’s War series and his popular Whatever blog, and Artist Guest of Honor William Stout, an artist of exceptional breadth responsible for production design work on 30 feature films, including Buck Rogers in the 25th Century and two Conan films, round out a guest list of more than 200 actors, artists, authors, and other creatives and experts who will meet with fans during the five day convention.

Other television guests will represent The Boys, American Gods, and Supernatural as well as voice actors from animated series The Animaniacs, Star Wars the Clone Wars, and Steven Universe, and video games Overwatch, Duke Nukem, and Mass Effect.

For an older generation of fans, the convention also welcomes Kathy Coleman, Philip Paley, and Wesley Eure from the Sid & Marty Krofft-produced Saturday morning television series Land of the Lost.

Shatner is a cultural icon and best remembered as Capt. James T. Kirk of the USS Enterprise in the Star Trek television series, the animated series, and seven motion pictures. He will be at the convention on Friday and Saturday only.

Olmos played Adm. William Adama in the reimagined Battlestar Galactica television series. Olmos is one of the best-known actors on television, appearing on Miami Vice, Dexter, and currently, Mayans M.C. He was nominated for an Oscar in 1988 for Stand and Deliver.

McDonnell portrayed President Laura Roslin in Battlestar Galactica. She is a two-time Oscar nominee, for Dances with Wolves (1990) and Passion Fish (1992).  Olmos and McDonnell will be joined by Tricia Helfer (Number Six), James Callis (Lee “Apollo” Adama), Jamie Bamber (Dr. Gaius Baltar), and Michael Trucco (Samuel Anders) in a reunion of Battlestar Galactica castmates.

Ramsey plays the role of John Diggle (also known as Spartan or Green Arrow), initially on Arrow, which ran from 2012 to 2020, and continues in that role across the so-called Arrowverse programs, including The Flash, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, Batwoman, Superman and Lois, and Supergirl.  He will be joined by Juliana Harkavy, who played the role of Black Canary across the Arrowverse.

Perhaps best known for her 17-year run on hospital drama ER, Dragon Con fans recognize Kingston as Riversong from the long-running BBC television series Doctor Who. She will be joined by Eccleston, who played the ninth incarnation of the time-travelling title character, and Piper, who played companion Rose Tyler during Eccleston’s run. Kingston and Piper will appear on Sunday and Monday, Eccleston will only appear on Sunday.

Levi is beloved by fans for his portrayal of the title character in the 2019 feature film Shazam! as well as an upcoming sequel, and his five-year run as the nerd next door Chuck Bartowski in the television series Chuck. Levi will be joined by Shazam! castmates Angel Asher and Jack Grazer, who also appeared in both It movies.

Smallville will be well-represented with a four-guest reunion of players from the Superman-based television series that ran for 10 years, including Welling, Rosenbaum, Vandervoort (Kara Zor-El/Supergirl), and Sam Witwer (Davis Bloome). Welling will appear Friday to Sunday and Rosenbaum will be available on Saturday and Sunday, while the remaining cast will be at the full convention.

From Star Trek Discovery, the latest installment in the 55-year-old science fiction franchise, Martin-Green, whose character was recently promoted to the captain’s chair, will be joined by Mary Wiseman (Sylvia Tilly), Anthony Rapp (Paul Stamets), Rekha Sharma (Cmdr. Landry), and Noah Averbach-Katz (Ryn).

The Walking Dead returns to Dragon Con with Ross Marquand, Nadia Hilker, and Dan Fogler. Marquand, who plays Aaron and joined the cast in 2005, and Hilker, who joined in 2010, have become mainstays of the series as it wraps up its 13-year run in 2022.  Fogler, a recurring character since 2018, is also well known for his role in two Fantastic Beasts movies, with a third in production.

Speaking of the Wizarding World, the Harry Potter franchise will be well represented by Bonnie Wright, who played Ginny Weasley, and Matthew Lewis, who played Neville Longbottom, both in all eight films.  Both will appear on Friday through Sunday at the convention.

About Dragon Con

Dragon Con is the internationally known pop culture convention held each Labor Day Weekend (Sept. 2 -Sept. 6, 2021) in Atlanta. Organized for fans, Dragon Con features more than 3,500 hours of comics, film, television, costuming, art, music, and gaming over four days. For more information, please visit www.dragoncon.org and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

DRAGON CON ADOPTS HEALTH & SAFETY PROTOCOLS

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 8/1/21

Changes Create a Convention That is Both Fun and Helps Prevent Spread of COVID

 

Masks Are Required for All Fans, Attendance Will Be Capped, Panel Room Capacities Will Be Reduced, and Venues Will Follow Stepped Up Cleaning Protocols

UPDATED: Vaccine Card or Negative Covid Test now required.

 

Updated: Dragon Con, the internationally known science fiction, fantasy, and gaming convention, will require that everyone who attend the live convention show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test before entering the convention.

In order to pick up their badges, all attendees will need to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test taken within 72 hours of arriving at the convention. The new guidelines arrive as the Delta variant is causing more COVID-19 cases worldwide, including “breakthrough” infections of vaccinated individuals.

Dragon Con, the internationally known science fiction, fantasy, and gaming convention, has adopted a number of health & safety protocols designed to help reduce the spread of COVID while making the convention fun and memorable for all returning fans.

Now in its 35th year, Dragon Con runs from Thursday, Sept. 2 to Monday, Sept. 6 with events and activities across five host hotels – Hyatt Regency Atlanta, Marriott Marquis, Hilton Atlanta, Westin Peachtree, and Sheraton Atlanta – and AmericasMart Buildings One and Two.

“We are excited to welcome fans back to Atlanta for this milestone convention,” said convention co-chair Rachel Reeves. “While the health and safety of our fans is always a priority, we have worked hard this year to balance the need to protect our fans’ health with our tradition of throwing an awesome convention that fans will remember.”

The protocols include a requirement that all fans wear a mask while indoors in a convention venue, reduced attendance during the convention by reducing the number of memberships available for sale before the convention, reduced room capacities in ballrooms, panel rooms, and other programming spaces, and increased cleaning and sanitation throughout the venues.

Other changes are designed to reduce congestion, improve traffic flow, and increase personal spacing within the convention venues.

In addition, Dragon Con encourages all fans to get a vaccination as it has been shown to offer the most personal protection from illness related to this pandemic. It also encourages fans to stay home if they do not feel well, or have been recently exposed to somebody with COVID.

To help spread the joy that is Dragon Con to fans who are not comfortable with attending a live convention (or who are blocked by international travel restrictions), Dragon Con Goes Virtual, a live-streamed version of the convention, will be available for fans to enjoy from the comfort of their own home in the company of close friends and family.  A Dragon Con Goes Virtual subscription is $10.

The protocols and convention changes are listed below and will be available on the convention’s website: https://www.dragoncon.org/updates/

 

Face masks and reduced attendance

  • Appropriate face masks will be required at all times inside convention venues regardless of vaccination status, in keeping with updated CDC guidelines (link to https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/about-face-coverings.html) and City of Atlanta requirements (link to https://www.atlantaga.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/52010).
  • In 2021, Dragon Con will have reduced capacity from prior years. We have worked closely with our hotels and AmericasMart to determine how many people are permitted in the buildings each day and at a given time and taken further steps to reduce capacity to allow for personal spacing.
  • There will be no Saturday-only membership sales before or during the convention. One-day badges will only be available for Thursday, Friday, Sunday, and Monday.
  • Related to that, there will be no onsite membership sales to reduce congestion, increase social distance, and improve traffic at badge pickup in the Sheraton. If memberships are available for purchase, they will only be available online through Growtix.

Room capacity, including Walk of Fame

  • All panel rooms and other programming venues will have a reduced 2/3rds maximum capacity at all times.
  • In the Walk of Fame, we will have approximately 50 percent fewer guests signing to provide for better spacing, personal distancing, traffic flow, and line management. There will be a one-way flow enforced throughout the room and limited capacity at all times. Additional safety precautions may be enforced, including temperature checks.

Traffic flow, congestion, and personal distancing

  • Badge checks will be expanded across the show to support the capped attendance and spacing.  If you don’t have a membership for Dragon Con, we ask that you participate in some of our awesome virtual elements highlighted below, as the hotels will be closed to badge-holding members only.
  • Lines for events and panel programming will be closed once we reach the 2/3rds reduced room capacity to reduce the number of people congregating in an area and to improve traffic flow. As always, ballrooms will be cleared between panels and the existing line policy, #18 described here (https://www.dragoncon.org/about/dragon-con-policies/) remains in effect and will be strictly enforced.
  • Other specific changes to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion include.

o   The Concourse Stages will have longer breaks between each performance, rotating between both locations with fewer bands and performances overall.

o   Fan tables will not be openly available for 2021 to reduce lobby congestion and improve traffic flow.

o   Our traditional arcade partner, Joystick Game Bar will move from AmericasMart to a unique pop-up experience located at 161 Peachtree Center Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30303, with activities going on from 10a – 4a daily.  Dragon Con members get in free.

o   The Chosen Costume Contest, hosted annually at Dragon Con Night at the Georgia Aquarium, will take a hiatus to prevent crowding.

Venue cleaning

  • Our venues have adopted enhanced cleaning protocols and are committed to delivering above and beyond the sanitation standards established.  If you would like details, we encourage you to check with each property individually.
  • All panel rooms and programming spaces will be closed twice a day for deep cleaning – once during the day and once overnight. These closures will happen on a rolling basis, with specific times indicated in the app, so there will ALWAYS be lots of programming options to choose from.
  • Gaming in AmericasMart Building 1 will have limited hours to meet our cleaning commitments and other enhanced safety measures. The building will be closed from 2 am – 8 am daily.  Open gaming will be available in the Savannah Ballroom will be available 24 hours a day, except during daily cleaning periods.

Other changes

 

  • Because children under 12 years old are not recommended for the COVID vaccine, the Kids Track will not host the Kids’ Character Encounter or Family-Friendly Dance.
  • We are excited to again partner with Epic Photo Ops, who has adjusted their policies with the safety and wellbeing of our guests and fans in mind, including limiting the number of individuals in a photo op.  For a detailed listing of additional protocols, visit https://epicphotoops.com/covid-19.
  • We have received our parade permit and at this time will host a modified and scaled back parade. A Dragon Con membership is required to view the parade live and in person for 2021. All others can watch the parade on CW69, our broadcast partner, or on line at YouTube and other social media platforms.

About Dragon Con

Dragon Con is the internationally known pop culture convention held each Labor Day Weekend (Sept. 2 -Sept. 6, 2021) in Atlanta. Organized for fans, Dragon Con features more than 3,500 hours of comics, film, television, costuming, art, music, and gaming over four days. For more information, please visit www.dragoncon.org and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.