LVL Up Expo

The heart of any fan convention doesn't belong to the giant corporate booths or the headline celebrity stages—it belongs to the people who pack the floor, share the halls, and bring the community to life. Welcome to our debut segment dedicated entirely to your convention experiences. To kick things off, we are diving into the neon-lit excitement of LVL UP Expo at the Las Vegas Convention Center, courtesy of long-time attendee and community fixture, The King of Dreamers.

Here is what went down on the floor.

For those unfamiliar with LVL UP Expo, it has rapidly grown into a massive celebration of anime, gaming, and cosplay right in the heart of Las Vegas. But despite its massive scale, the atmosphere remains deeply personal.

"I have gone many times," notes The King of Dreamers. "It is always a welcoming and just overall pleasant vibe. The energy is so positive and just a lot of fun!"

That consistent, high-energy welcoming spirit earned the convention a glowing 5 out of 5 stars from our guest reviewer.

While competitive tournaments take center stage for many attendees, LVL UP Expo shines brightest in its interactive community spaces. A major standout of the weekend was the Retro Arcade section—a completely free-to-play area packed with classic cabinets that allowed attendees to step back in time and share some nostalgic gaming bliss.

For the competitive crowd, the atmosphere was unmatched. If you are a fan of fighting games, this event is a must-visit. The energy of the crowd during the final matches of the Fighting Game Community (FGC) tournaments provided an unforgettable, stadium-like rush to close out the weekend

Cosplay is the lifeblood of the convention floor, and this year’s creativity did not disappoint. The King of Dreamers hit the floor showcasing incredible mashups and fan favorites, including Spider-Man x Kingdom Hearts, the Red Ranger, and Spider-Deku.

The ultimate goal? Spreading joy.

"They overall had a really good reception and that is what made me so happy about them. I like bringing a smile on someone's face ☺️."

The pinnacle of the weekend occurred on Sunday, serving as a perfect example of the spontaneous magic of a con floor. What started as a standard day turned into an impromptu, massive Spider-Verse gathering as various Spider-Man cosplayers naturally crossed paths and united inside the convention center, creating a core memory for everyone witnessing it.

No massive event is completely without its logistical speedbumps. Like many high-attendance conventions, navigating the initial badge pickup lines proved to be a test of patience. Additionally, clearer signage and distinct labeling for designated photo areas would go a long way in helping photographers and cosplayers coordinate on the busy floor.

However, looking past those standard growing pains, the organizational team stays firmly on top of the event execution.

• Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5 Stars)

• The Big Takeaway: "Just go explore and have fun with the different activities that are there :)"

• Next Year? Already planning a return for year five—and this time, with an even bigger group in tow!

A huge thank you to The King of Dreamers for sharing his weekend with us!

Want your voice heard? Did you attend a recent convention and want to see your experience featured in an upcoming issue of our review segment? Stay tuned to our website and social media channels at @coz_mag to access our online submission questionnaires!