Whether you are new to the LEGO hobby or a seasoned pro, LEGO conventions are a great way to get inspired, meet new friends, and even show off your own LEGO creations. These LEGO events are usually put together by local LEGO User Groups and include displays of some of the most amazing LEGO creations from the community, as well as workshops, games, contests and a host of other fun activities. 🙂
In the USA one of the largest LEGO event is Brickworld. Brickworld began with a single convention/expo in the Chicago area in 2007. Since then Brickworld expanded to several locations and have become the premier family of LEGO fan expos – with people coming to the event not just from the local LEGO fan community, but from all over the globe.
Brickworld was founded under the principles of getting together with existing friends and making new friends. Their motto, Share – Learn – Explore – Discover, reflects the organizers’ intent to create not only a fun event, but also make it educational; LEGO artists and engineers have a chance to learn from each other via seminars, workshops, and impromptu discussions. In fact, Brickworld has become so large that people travel from all over the globe just to attend it.
Brickworld is open to the general public to see how LEGO enthusiasts from around the world use LEGO as a medium of art, science and technology, and create awesome LEGO trains, robots, cityscapes, space stations, mosaics, architecture, etc. Visitors can also make their own creations in the LEGO & DUPLO play areas, buy minifigures, LEGO sets, t-shirts, stickers, and other LEGO accessories. It is really a fun event for the entire family!
In addition, Brickworld Chicago also provides Adult Fans of LEGO (AFOLs) an opportunity to gather with like-minded LEGO enthusiasts and participate in a 5-day convention featuring workshops, presentations, games, etc. These sessions are designed to give registered attendees the chance to share with each other, learn from each other, and discover new aspects of the LEGO hobby.
Above I’m including a couple of videos; the first one from Brickworld Indiana earlier this year, and the second one from Brickworld Chicago just a couple of weeks ago. They should give you a good idea of what to expect at a LEGO convention this size. And if you are interested in participating in any of the Brickworld events, below is the upcoming schedule. If you would like to register visit Brickworld.us.
- Fort Wayne, IN – September 28 & 29, 2013
- Lafayette, IN – November 2 & 3, 2013
- Indianapolis, IN – March 2014
- Chicago Area (IL) – June 2014
Have you ever been to Brickworld or other LEGO conventions? How did you like it? What was your favorite activity? And if you haven’t been, are you planning to go? Do you have any questions? Feel free to share in the comment section below! 😉
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It would be awesome to go to one of those… 😀
YA! 😀
I know right!!!
I’ve wondered what Brickworld was exactly. Well, now I know. Sounds really cool. Have you been to one Admin?
No, I haven’t been to BrickWorld personally. Althought I’m from Chicago I moved away before the first one was organized. Sadly. Now I only go up North a couple of times a year to visit family. But one day… 🙂
Yeah, I want to go too. Of course LEGO sets are for sale there. 😀 I’d better watch out if I do go to one. LEGO aisles are my downfall! 😆
Another great post! An additional point to add- typically, you also have the opportunity to meet and engage with employees of The LEGO Group at LEGO fan conventions. In addition to representatives from the Community Engagement & Events (CEE) department, some cons pull in model designers, company executives, marketing managers, and more!
Thanks, Kevin! I forgot to mention that! 🙂
I loved BrickFair Alabama. It was very busy on the public days, and I was lucky to win a train set! So much fun…I want to go to them all.
Some people actually do go to all of them. If you have a product to sell to at least makes enough to cover the cost of the trip, it makes sense. A lot of the LEGO customizers go. 🙂
A friend of mine, my sons and I went to Brickworld Chicago 2014 for the entire week and had a table display. It was amazing. Most fun my sons and I have had together! I am hoping we can make every one now and hopefully get more people from NW OH to go with us this year!
Take time to learn from others, see all of the user groups there, take in some educational or just for fun sessions, etc. Staying the full week was well worth it for us and hopefully we can go this year and get to know more people and build more friendships with the user groups in other areas too.
Mandy, those are good suggestions. Yes, it is best to take your time, meet people, make friends, etc. rather than rushing through the whole thing. BrickWorld Chicago is really awesome! 🙂
Hi all, I’m new to this site which I am very happy to have found though as I was looking for tips on how to get info on current/future lego conventions in Europe(I’m based in Dublin) as my son is a big lego fun. He loved the biggest lego city in the world video ref. the lego expo in Helsinki in 2013 .. is there anything similar going on elsewhere in Europe, anybody knows? many thanks in advance for yr feedback
Luisa, nice to have you over! You can check out all the LEGO related events here: https://lan.lego.com/calendar/lug_events/view
A big thank you!
You’re welcome. 😉