There are now 42 weeks to go until we open the very first Chicago Steampunk Exposition, so what’s new?
We have several new crew members, and welcome Eduardo Miguel Questell, Karen Bergquist Dezoma, and Timothy R Harrison to our growing Exposition team. All are experienced veterans of Steampunk and the fandom world in general, and we are very grateful to have them join the crew.
Eduardo “Captain Quaestor” Questell is currently working hard on a new look for the Chicago Steampunk Exposition’s website (sneak peak above) that we hope to unveil at the start of 2019. Many will already recognize Questell from his leadership roles with Chicagoland Steampunk Society, and prior to that he worked for many years with Steampunk organizations in Florida.
Karen Bergquist Dezoma has performed and presented at many Steampunk conventions and will be providing several panels of her own at the Exposition. Additionally, however, she has also accepted the task of coordinating programming at the Exposition and packing the schedule with a colorful array of presenters, workshops, and activities (see below).
Timothy R Harrison is well known in Steampunk and Cosplay communities for his mastery of costume and props with HDC Cosplay & Fabrication. Harrison has accepted the role of Exposition Scenic Director and already has some great plans underway on how to transform the Westin O’Hare hotel and conference center into a more immersive world of Steampunk adventure at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair.
More than just Steampunk
One of the more exciting features of the Exposition space is how much room we have to be inclusive of so many aspects of Retrofuturism and Victoriana in addition to our Steampunk programming. While there will be a lot of specifically Steampunk panels to be found at the convention, we also have the following rooms put aside for varying presentations:
- Gothic Parlour
- Dieselpunk Vault
- Time & Space room
- Lolita Lounge
- . . . and more!
For each of these specialized tracks, we are still looking for presenters with the knowledge and charisma to give attendees an engaging session; if you think that is you, please review, complete, and submit our Presenter Application Form HERE.
Hotel Rooms
Staying in Chicago can be expensive, but we have managed to secure discounted rooms at the Westin O’Hare Hotel starting at $129 per night (plus taxes & fees)
Suites are also available for $179 per night (plus taxes & fees)
Links are coming soon, and we shall post them as soon as the hotel has them finalized, but in the meantime you can book your rooms by calling (800) 937-8461 or (847) 698-6000 and requesting the Steampunk Block when giving the dates of your reservation.
If you are planning on vending at the Exposition, we have a separate block of rooms reserved for you. Upon acceptance to the show and settlement of vendor fees, details and instructions for booking a room in the Vendor Block will be emailed to you.
Get Involved
Despite already having several Featured Speakers, vendors, and Entertainers lined up for 2019, and we invite you join us to Vend, to Present, and to Volunteer at the convention.
If you have not done so already, please RSVP to the actual Chicago Steampunk Exposition Event Page HERE to help keep you up to date on all the latest Expo news.
Upcoming Posts . . .
- More booking details for the hotel block
- Sneak peaks for Special Events
- Tour of the Exposition venue
. . . and more!
