So, You Want to Run a LEGO Convention?
There is a specific moment that happens when you are driving home from a long weekend at a LEGO convention. You are exhausted, your car is packed to the roof with plastic, and you turn to your friends and ask the question that changes everything: “Why don't we just have a convention at home?”
That is how Brick Slopes started. It’s how some of the best things in our community begin. It doesn't happen in a boardroom. It happens on a road trip.
I recently sat down with Cody Ottley, the founder of Brick Slopes, to talk about the reality of turning a hobby into a convention. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to bring thousands of people into a room to celebrate plastic bricks, here’s what you need to know.
The "Hobby Job" Reality Check
Let’s get one thing straight. Conventions aren't just big parties, they are massive logistics machines. Cody was brutally honest about the first few years. He talked about the car loans, the venue struggles, and the decade it took just to reach the point where the show could stand on its own two feet.
When you are running a show for the community, your bottom line looks a little different. Cody’s philosophy is that if an AFOL pays for a pass, that money should end up back in their hands. It goes into the swag, the food, and the kind of experience that makes the weekend memorable. It is the "King of Swag" approach. It is not about maximizing profit. It is about making sure your friends have a blast.
It’s About the "Unsanctioned" Magic
The best part of a convention isn't the floor displays. Don't get me wrong, those are always epic. But the real fun happens when the public leaves and the doors close.
Whether it is karaoke at the hotel, or grabbing a drink on the patio after a long day of setup, the real community happens in the margins. Cody and I talked a lot about why these unsanctioned moments are the glue that holds our hobby together. It turns a simple hobby show into a family reunion.
Why We Keep Doing It
Why endure the stress of venue contracts, the late nights, and the endless spreadsheets? Because for a lot of people, conventions are the only event they get to attend all year. Creating that space is worth every headache. It is that single weekend where they get to be around people who actually get them.
"In the end, we’re all just a bunch of weirdos standing in front of other weirdos, asking for their username. And honestly? I wouldn’t have it any other way." (Quote: Geekerella by Ashley Poston)
Want the full story? We went deep into the weeds on everything from the logistics of hosting 15,000 public attendees to the "addict" tendencies we all share when a new set drops. If you want to hear more about the behind-the-scenes madness, check out the full replay right here:
