Since Reno Pop Culture Con is a key program of our educational nonprofit (Pop Culture Classroom), one of our core missions is to provide all our fans with as much value and content as possible for the price of admission.

It’s not just about the geeky purchases you make from any of our hundreds of vendors and artists, and signatures from our celebrity, author, and comics guests.

No matter your interests, we want you to be able to walk in the door every morning and have a full day of fun and interesting things to do — until your friends and family drag you out, or we have to close the doors on Sunday evening at the end of con.

“Programming” encompasses all of those experiences you can see and participate in — such as panels, demonstrations, performances, and meetups.

And at RPCC there is a LOT of Programming, with the panel schedule alone providing you with over a hundred hours of experiences and entertainment options.

With so much to do, we thought it would be helpful to provide an introduction and high-level overview of the major areas of Programming you can expect at the con in 2019, so let’s get to it.

Something for Everyone – By Design

The key phrase here is, “no matter your interests.” Here’s a sampling of the types of Programming you can expect:

Celebrity Q&As

See your favorite actors from the hottest movies and TV shows in their solo and team-up question and answer sessions on the Main Stage (Hall C). Since all panels and Q&As are included in your ticket price, this is how you can see the guests even if you’re not an autograph hunter. (Or if you’re on a budget!)

Reel Heroes Filmmaker Panels

Want to know what happens on the other side of the camera of your favorite films and TV shows? Or meet the actors from TV and Movies of the 70s, 80s and 90s?  Check out the Reel Heroes Filmmaker Series of presentations, where guests regale fans with nostalgic tales, and independent filmmakers, voice actors and animators walk you through what happens between script and screen.

Artist Panels and Demos

RPCC will also host dozens of artists and writers — from local and independent talent — to the hottest names from the biggest comics, past and present.

You can meet comics guests at their tables in Artist Valley and you can see them brought together in one of our panel rooms where they will talk about their craft and their part in the last 80 years of comics history.

We also present hours of art demonstrations and workshops, where the pros will demo their craft while helping you perfect your own skills.

PCC Kids’ Lab Stages

Programming also applies to the Pop Culture Classroom (PCC) Kids’ Lab. This is a giant, dedicated space on the main show floor, devoted to fans from the younger set through teenagers. And true to our mission, “The Lab” costs nothing extra to experience

The Lab includes two stages that will feature ongoing programming throughout the con weekend, along with the nonstop activities and demos going on throughout the space.

Next to the science activities and experiments – and a STEM-focused Puzzle Room! – the Lab Stage is where celebrities and surprise guests could read aloud to the little ones, kids’ book and YA authors teach kids to draw or write, and voice actors portray entertain and educate.

Author Appearances, Panels and Literary Conference

Meanwhile, the most popular authors will sign your books for free in Author Alley, then team up on dozens of panels with their fellow writers to talk about the literary genre, their techniques, and provide advice to amateur writers of all ages.

Plus, there are also dozens of panels about sci-fi and fantasy TV and movies (think: Doctor Who or Star Wars), science and technology, and cosplay.

Educational Programming

Since Pop Culture Classroom – the organization that puts on the party known as Reno Pop Culture Con – is a kids’ literacy nonprofit, we are most proud of what we call our Educational programming. These are the sessions aimed at parents, students (kids and adults alike), and educators, which deal with topics like:

• The best new books and graphic novels for teens, so teachers and librarians know what to use in their classrooms and libraries.
• How teachers can use game development or technology to inspire their students, and what inspires young adult readers who are dealing with their own issues.

As with all RPCC panels, all these sessions are open to any con attendee – and remember, it’s all about pop culture so the “learning” is actually fun!

Performances, Events, and Surprises

Programming is not just about panels, workshops and celeb Q&As in the panel rooms or Main Events theaters. There are always events during the day and at night – all included with your admission.

From our traditional Opening Night event Friday that features stand-up comedy guests to our Saturday night open-to-all Cosplay Celebration (kids and adults – regardless of skill level) there is always something going on for you to do, see and experience.  Even after the show floor closes on Sunday, November 10, at 5pm, programming will still be going strong in Hall C, as the Pop Culture Kaboom radio show (KNVC 95.1FM) will be recording LIVE – with special surprise guests!

So, remember: After you’ve bought your admission, you can be in your personal Wonderland for three solid days without spending another dime! You’ll meet and talk with guests, be entertained non-stop with panels and events from all areas of popular culture, and you might even learn something. Above all, have fun!

And as always, if you have any ideas or questions, please subscribe or ‘friend’ us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, or email us through our Website (where you can also buy your tickets!)  See you November 8-10, 2019!

Live Long and Prosper,

Bruce MacIntosh, Programming Director