Undergoing Some Exciting Changes!

We are now 28 weeks away from the opening of the inaugural Chicago Steampunk Exposition, and like the Ferris Wheel of 1893 (pictured above), construction of the event builds up each week. Currently a lot of our attention is on the Exposition’s sister show in Cincinnati, the Steampunk Symposium, which is being held March 29th to 31st, 2019, but come the first week of April the Exposition will begin to share all sorts of exciting new things. If you think we’ve got a lot going on at the Exposition already, you will be amazed at what we shall be revealing during the six month countdown!

Daniel Burnham (1846 to 1912) – Architect of the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago.

Currently we are re-working our premium badge program to make it more flexible. There is still the Gold Level VIP badge that pretty much includes EVERYTHING. It gains access to all regular programming, plus the Devon Cream High Tea, the Midway Masquerade, the Burnham Banquet, the exclusive Speakeasy After Party, and also comes with T-Shirt, priority seating, and Souvenir Pin. Next month, options will be available to purchase specific items and extras rather than have to buy a whole package . . . unless of course you want the VIP treatment 🙂

In April pricing and tickets for the Devon Cream High Tea, the Burnham Banquet, and the Midway Masquerade will be available as add-ons with regular tickets. The Devon Cream High Tea and the Burnham Banquet will both occur in the Michigan Ballroom of the Westin O’Hare, and work began this week to include a stage area in front of the array of banquet round tables. Details will be coming in April, but suffice to say, plans are afoot to bring live entertainment to these special events in a dinner cabaret style format. We are excited about these new developments and look forward to making them more widely available to Exposition attendees.


Get Involved

There are many ways that you can be a part of the Chicago Steampunk Exposition. We have a few spots left in the vendor hall, Artists’ Alley, and Authors’ Alley; to learn more click HERE. Or perhaps you would like to share your knowledge and present a panel or workshop? In addition to Steampunk programming, we are also looking for experts in Dieselpunk, Victorian Gothic, Doctor Who, Lolita, and other retro-futuristic related topics. If you would like to submit a proposal to present, please click HERE to learn more. And of course, we are always looking for Volunteers to help run the Exposition; a convention is only as strong as its team of volunteers. So if you would like to join the crew, please click HERE to learn more and apply. 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 Exposition news.


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) 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.


Upcoming Posts . . .

  • Sneak peaks for Special Events
  • Tour of the Exposition venue

. . . and more!


Chicago Steampunk Exposition