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Panel Schedule

Panels will be featured upstairs in Rooms 305A ,305B, and on the Main Stage in the Expo Hall. All panel appearances are tentatively scheduled and may be adjusted according to guest preferences.

Saturday June 7th – Room 305A (Upstairs)

10:00 AM - Saturday Morning Cartoons - Host: Ryan McIntee
Start your day with a dose of pure nostalgia at our Saturday Morning Cartoons panel! 🥣✨ Join us as we relive the magic of classic cartoons from the golden era—complete with a cereal bar stocked with your favorite sugary throwbacks. Kick back, grab a bowl, and enjoy iconic toons just like you did in your PJs on the living room floor. It's the perfect way to start your Saturday at Game & Geek Expo!
12:00 PM - From Gamer to Making Games - Host: Chelsea Curran Adams
Panel will also feature:
Austin Gowland - Lead Technical Designer at Blizzard Entertainment
Cody Adams - Principal Technical Artist Riot Games
Jennifer Williams - Senior QA Manager Epic Games Fortnite

Level up your game dev journey with four industry pros as they equip you with the tools to own your game dev journey! We’ll dive into how you can discover your game developer passion, carve out your own space in the industry, and power up your skill trees. Walk away with pro-level strategies to gain the knowledge you need, craft a portfolio that grabs attention, and break into the world of game development.
2:00 PM - The Fire, The Scar, The Lie: Alchemy of Great Characters - Host: David Gallaher
Compelling characters don’t just happen. They aren’t the result of a good voice actor, a cool outfit, or a handful of well-written lines. They are built—layered, developed, and refined with clear internal struggles and motivations. If a character exists only to push the plot forward, they’ll feel disposable. But if they have a fire that drives them, a scar that haunts them, and a lie they believe, they become someone the player remembers.
4:00 PM - Game Design and Coding with Unreal Engine and Fortnite - Host: Steve Isaacs (Epic Games)
Participants will learn about game design Fortnite Creative, Unreal Engine, and Unreal Editor for Fortnite. They will leave the session with resources that will help them get started on their game development journey.
5:30 PM - Creating Worlds - Host: Paul Niemeyer (Mortal Kombat Designer)
Step into the creative world of legendary artist Paul E. Niemeyer as he shares the story behind his iconic work on the original Mortal Kombat arcade art—including the unforgettable logo, cabinet, and control panel designs that defined a generation. Paul will also dive into his dual career as a freelance designer in 1980s and ’90s Chicago, where he brought to life artwork for blockbuster films like The Little Mermaid, Jurassic Park II, Men in Black, and Demolition Man. Don’t miss this deep dive into gaming and pop culture history from the artist who helped shape it!
7:00 PM - Smash or Pass - Host: Patrick & Katie Moon
Come join us as we take a look at cartoon characters and ask the question: Would we Smash or Pass? 18+ is highly recommended.
8:00 PM - Late Night Karaoke - Host: Jessica Caswell (Rewind Retrobar)
Step into the spotlight and belt out your favorite tunes at Karaoke. Hosted by Jessica with Rewind Retrobar! Whether you're into ‘80s classics, ‘90s bangers, or the latest chart-toppers, we’ve got the song for you.

Saturday June 7th – Room 305B (Upstairs)

10:00 AM - Tom Kalinske: Nintendo's 90's Nemesis - Host: Michael G
Would you believe the person who came up with Flintstone Vitamins and helped save Barbie helped Sega fight Nintendo and change the Video Game industry? Tom Kalinske and his team helped fight and forge Sega into a powerhouse company that challenged Nintendo at a time when no one else would. Learn more about this behind the scenes look at Sega.
12:00 PM - Behind the Voice with D.C. Douglas - Host: D.C. Douglas (Resident Evil, Yoshikage Kira)
Step into the world of voice acting and pop culture with the legendary D.C. Douglas! From iconic villains like Albert Wesker in Resident Evil to unforgettable anime roles like Yoshikage Kira in JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, D.C. has voiced some of the most recognizable characters in gaming and anime. In this candid and entertaining panel, he’ll share behind-the-scenes stories, career insights, and what it’s really like to bring your favorite characters to life. Whether you’re a fan or an aspiring actor, this is a panel you don’t want to miss!
2:00 PM - Go Live: Getting Started Streaming - Host: Lauren Bleszinski (@L337Lauren) & Bri Martin (@BRIXBRI)
Go Live: Getting Started with Streaming Curious about live streaming but not sure where to start? Join a panel of local streamers for a casual Ask Me Anything session! We'll share how we got into streaming, what we've learned along the way, and answer your burning questions—gear, platforms, audience building, and more. Whether you're just thinking about going live or ready to hit that "Start Streaming" button, this is your chance to get real insights from real streamers.
4:00 PM - Physical vs Digital Media - Host: Nickology (YouTube)
In this panel, we'll take a ride through the ins and outs of physical and digital media, and why we actually need both for gaming*. We'll touch on generational divide, DRM, media preservation, mobile gaming, positives and negatives that both distribution methods have brought to-date, and ultimately what can you do about it? With style!

Check out Nick's YouTube channel
https://www.youtube.com/@Nick-ology
6:00 PM - Retro Bits: LIVE - Host: Brian McGuiness (Comedian - Voice Actor), Cliff Bleszenski (Gears of War)

Saturday June 7th – Main Stage – (Expo Hall)

11:00 AM - Meet the Stars: Celebrity Guest Showcase
Kick off your Game & Geek Expo weekend with our Celebrity Guest Showcase! Join us on the main stage as we introduce this year’s incredible lineup of special guests—from iconic voice actors and legendary game designers to pop culture stars and content creators. Get the inside scoop on where to find them throughout the weekend, hear a few fun stories, and get hyped for all the amazing panels, signings, and photo ops ahead!
1:00 PM - What It's Like To Own a Game Store - Host: Ryan McIntee, Hidden Block Games, Retroid Games
Ever wondered what it’s really like to own a retro game store? Join Josh Hanna and Jeremy Smith of Hidden Block Games, as well as Nick Hofstetter from Retroid Games as they pull back the curtain and walk you through the day-to-day of running a video game shop. Hosted by RRG's Ryan McIntee—from hunting down rare finds and managing inventory to building a community of loyal gamers. Whether you're curious about the business side or just love collecting, this panel is packed with insight, stories, and tips from the people living the dream!
3:00 PM - Retro Game Character Draft - Host: Brian McGuiness (Comedian - Voice Actor)
Get ready for laughs, nostalgia, and a little friendly competition! Comedian Brian McGuinness takes over the main stage to host the ultimate Retro Game Character Draft. Panelists will take turns building their dream team of classic video game characters—from plumbers and hedgehogs to ninjas and space marines. Who will assemble the most epic squad? You be the judge! Don’t miss this hilarious, high-energy showdown!
5:00 PM - MarMax Gaming NES Hard Blitz - Host: Jeff Marmar
Think NES games are tough? Just wait ‘til you see Jeff Marmar of MarMax Gaming throw down!

Jeff’s stepping up to take on some of the hardest NES games ever made—live, raw, and without a single cheat or save state. He’s tackling NES hard games, and he’s doing it the only way he knows how: with skill and old-school grit.
6:00 PM - Pixel Perfect Cosplay Runway
Get ready for an epic display of creativity and pure geek glory! Our amazing cosplay community is taking the stage in the Cosplay Contest, where they’ll strut their stuff, strike their best poses, and bring your favorite characters to life. From jaw-dropping armor builds to screen-accurate suits and original mashups, you won’t want to miss this celebration of fandom. Winners will take home awards, prizes, and ultimate bragging rights!

Sunday June 8th – Room 305A (Upstairs)

11:00 AM - Fabricating Fandom: 3D Printing for Cosplayers - Host: Jakob Stanek
From digital designs to real-world props, 3D printing is changing the cosplay game! Join us as we explore how to print, finish, and assemble stunning armor, weapons, and accessories. Learn where to find models, how to troubleshoot prints, and which materials work best for different projects. Whether you’re crafting your first prop or leveling up your skills, this panel will help you bring your cosplay dreams to life—one layer at a time!
1:00 PM - History of Japanese Video Game Adaptations - Host: Jacob Perry
3:00 PM - Shoutcasting in the World of Esports - Host: Chip Richey
Interested in learning what it takes to be a shoutcaster for your favorite Esport? In this panel, Chip Richey will share his journey, knowledge, and experience as an official commentator for Pokemon Trading Card Game events around the world.
4:00 PM - Game Design and Coding with Unreal Engine and Fortnite - Host: Steve Isaacs (Epic Games)
Participants will learn about game design Fortnite Creative, Unreal Engine, and Unreal Editor for Fortnite. They will leave the session with resources that will help them get started on their game development journey.

Sunday June 8th – Room 305B (Upstairs)

11:00 AM - Ghost in the Machine - Host: Jonathan Michael
"Ghosts in the Machine" delves into the captivating intersection of gaming culture and paranormal folklore. We'll critically examine infamous gaming legends, such as the Polybius arcade game and the unsettling myths surrounding Pokémon's Lavender Town music, to distinguish fact from fiction. Through storytelling and critical analysis, discover how these tales have evolved within gaming communities and their impact on popular culture. Join us for an insightful journey into the origins of these stories and the psychology behind their allure.
1:00 PM - Writing Game Community - Host: Jerogai
Fighting games are definitely hype. Nothing is better than landing that combo into a super and winning the last round to victory. Nothing is worse than trying to get in on a Guile with a low health bar. Nothing is also worse than dealing with writer’s block. Tired of getting 3 stocked by your older cousin in Ultimate? Tired of staring at your computer screen struggling to come up with ideas for a story? Do you know what frame data is? Follow me through a helpful tutorial through the practice lab to figure it all out.
3:00 PM - Rewind Music Bingo - Host: Jessica Caswell (Rewind Retrobar)
Join Jessica with Rewind Retrobar for a high-energy rounds of Music Bingo! Featuring curated playlists of your favorite hits from the ‘80s, ‘90s, and early 2000s.

How does it work? It’s simple: instead of numbers, we play iconic songs. Mark them off your Bingo card as you groove along. Be the first to call “Bingo!” and snag some exciting prizes!

Sunday June 8th – Main Stage (Expo Hall)

11:00 AM - Arcade History Tour - Host: Brian Colin (Rampage, Arch Rivals)
Ever wonder what it was like conceiving, designing and creating some of the most-popular, highest-earning & best-selling titles in video game history? RAMPAGE creator Brian F Colin is a vastly experienced Game Designer, Artist &amp Animator with over 90 video game titles to his credit . . and these are just some of the classics he's helped create : RAMPAGE, XENOPHOBE, ARCH RIVALS, PIGSKIN, RAMPAGE WORLD TOUR, STAR TREK VOYAGER, DISCS OF TRON, SPY HUNTER, GENERAL CHAOS (and many, many more).

A member of International Video Game Hall of Fame, Brian’s passion for Games is evident in his enthusiastic and engaging sharing of first-hand, anecdotal, "straight from the horse's mouth" insights into the wild-west days of early arcade game development and beyond... including stories straight from the sets of the recent RAMPAGE Movie. His multimedia ARCADE HISTORY TOUR is an absolute must for game fans, aspiring developers and arcade historians alike.
1:00 PM - Stories with Cliffy B - Host: Cliff Bleszinski (Gears of War) & Brian McGuiness (Comedian - Voice Actor)
Join us for Stories with Cliff B., a candid and hilarious conversation between legendary game designer Cliff Bleszinski and comedian Brian McGuinness! From his early days at Epic Games to the creation of Gears of War and beyond, Cliff shares behind-the-scenes stories, wild industry moments, and his personal journey through the highs and lows of game development. It’s part talk show, part roast, and all geek gold—don’t miss it!
2:15 PM - Idolfest - Host: Curious Craft Collective
Get ready to cheer, dance, and sing along at IdolFest — our high-energy celebration of idol fandom! Featuring dazzling performances from talented local idol groups and solo acts, IdolFest brings the excitement of J-pop, K-pop, and anime-inspired music to the Game & Geek Expo stage. Whether you're a longtime idol lover or new to the scene, this is your chance to experience the sparkle, passion, and community of idol culture live and loud!