Fifteen years ago I met Patrick Warburton, one of my favorite actors, at a Global Traveler event in Beverly Hills. Last weekend I caught up with Warburton at FAN EXPO Chicago.
FAN EXPO is a group of fan conventions operated by FAN EXPO HQ, the largest comic con producer in the world. A division of Informa plc, FAN EXPO started with the acquisition of FAN EXPO Canada in 2013 and currently hosts events in 16 cities in North America.
Held at Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Chicago’s event is one of the larger ones, drawing 100,000 attendees. With about 20 celebrities and dozens of artists and authors, along with hundreds of vendors, there is something for everyone.
While I certainly planned on experiencing all of it, seeing Warburton was my main goal. On Saturday morning my buddy Tony and I were the first to greet him as he arrived at his booth. We discussed the GT event as well as other fun topics. When we were done, I turned around to see a line of hundreds waiting for their chance to meet him. That line stayed long all weekend, but nobody had as much time with him as we did. Mission accomplished.
Patrick Warburton
Before that, on Friday night, we attended a special screening preview of The Herro’s Journey. Produced by my friend (and recent Talking Travel interview guest) David Vox Mullen and directed by friend Danny Reyes, it is the heartwarming story of our friend David Herro. A Wisconsin promoter, Herro lives up to his SuperFriend moniker. I may be biased, but the documentary looks amazing. All involved promised interviews when it premieres; so check GT in the future for my exclusive report.
Kal and David Herro and Sandra DeSalvo
Danny Reyes and David Vox Mullen
Other highlights included chatting with Oscar-winning actress Marisa Tomei, Chicagoan actress Laurie Metcalf, actor and television host Mario Lopez and actress Elizabeth Berkley, who discussed a potential future project (another thing I’ll be covering for GT in the future if it comes to fruition). I also reconnected with many creators, checking out their newest books or artwork.
Marisa Tomei
Laurie Metcalf
Mario Lopez
Elizabeth Berkley
With so much to do at FAN EXPO, I always go into overdrive. In the end, I am exhausted but loaded with great new memories and merchandise.
— John Wroblewski, online writer
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