Tobias McCurry joins the Exposition!

Famed Maker, LARPer, and man of many talents, Tobias McCurry will join the Chicago Steampunk Exposition as a Guest of Honor this April! Delightful and charismatic, McCurry will share his creative knowledge and regale with daring tales of Steampunk!

Tobias McCurry, the founder of Spring Heeled Studios LLC, is a maker, costumer, and performer out of Seattle, WA. He is known primarily for his participation in the show Steampunk’d on GSN, and for his Steampunk creations such as his “Spring-Heeled Jack” armor. His most notable works involve his unique take on costuming, wherein he strives to integrate special effects knowledge and real world practicality into outfits, props, and other endeavors.

Coming from a strong background of theatre and performance involving anything from breathing fire to sword fighting, Tobias has made himself the jack of all trades of event production. Utilizing his knowledge of the performing arts, he has expanded to platforms such as Live Action Roleplaying (LARP), independent film/commercials, and is producing conventions as well! This April, McCurry will take on a major role in the Exposition own LARP game, Steam & Sorcery.

Participating in LARP across the US for over a decade, he has become strong advocate for its creative and mental benefits as a performing art for nerds. Tobias has engaged in genres such as Medieval Fantasy, Post-Apocalyptic, Steampunk and more while encompassing aspects such as character development, production value, interpersonal communication and artistic growth.

Overall, Tobias seeks to make fantasy a reality, and isn’t afraid to use the tools the world provides to make it happen. From leather work and foam smithing to fiery gadgets and stilt walking, there’s a way to make the unthinkable attainable. Always.

Victorian Fae
at the 1893 World’s Fair

Each year the Chicago Steampunk Exposition hosts a Special Exhibit that sets the underlying “theme” for that year’s convention; for 2023 our special exhibit will be “Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Fantastic Discovery of the Fae World” setting the theme of Victorian Fae at the 1893 World’s Fair. This exhibit will feature art, relics, and other items of interest collected around the Fae Academia following Doyle and his father establishing diplomatic contact with the Fae territories. The Exposition will celebrate the many cultures, achievements, and art of Faekind, and be joined by ambassadors and representatives of these magical realms as we welcome them to Chicago. In many ways this will be like Carnival Row (pictured above), but unlike the Republic of the Burgue, Chicago embraces diversity and multicultural exchanges.

PLEASE NOTE that ALL costuming is welcome, not just Fae, and you don’t even have to come in costume; 21st Century “Time Tumblers” are welcome to 1893 as well 🙂

Be a Presenter!

If you have Steampunk related knowledge and expertise that you would like to share at the Exposition, then we invite you be part of the Program and submit your proposals for presentations.

The 2023 Program thus far . . .

Exposition Exhibitors

This coming April, the Exposition will offer a wide array of exhibitors and vendors to entertain, educate, and entice you.

A recent change in our planning has been to merge Artists’ Alley and Printers’ Row which will now both be located in Slate Hall with the Art Gallery. For more information visit our Exhibitor page.

If you would like to be an Exposition Exhibitor, please submit an application HERE.

The Venue

Update! More rooms have been added to the room block, so if you were having trouble booking a room, please try again.

The 2023 Chicago Steampunk Exposition is being hosted at the Hyatt Regency Schaumburg. This upscale hotel is a short drive from O’Hare International Airport with many facilities both in the hotel and surrounding it, plus FREE PARKING.

Visit our Venue Page to learn more about the layout of the show floors and what to expect from the Exposition new home.

Room prices and booking information are all listed on the Book Rooms page.