TFcon
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TFcon, is a Transformers fan convention held annually since 2002 in the Greater Toronto Area. The convention was created to give Canadians that were unable to travel to the American based BotCon a place to celebrate their love for the Transformers. TFcon was held for the 10th time on July 30th and 31st, 2011 in a new location for the first time in 6 years.
Contents
Description
TFcon is Canada's largest annual Transformers collectors convention, and the second most-attended Transformers convention in the world. The event features Hasbro Canada's Transformers new product presentation and question and answer panel, Canada's largest dealer room for Transformers merchandise, guest question and answer panels and autograph sessions, Transformers trivia contest, plus art and costume contests. Toys "R" Us Canada supports the convention through various means including the distribution of TFcon promotional material in Toys "R" Us stores to increase awareness of the Canadian Transformers Collectors Convention.
History
The first TFcon was held in Hamilton, Ontario in 2002. Organized by Aaron Black and Colin Douglas, the convention had a modest 190 attendees. In 2003, TFcon got its first special guests in the form of Joe Ng and Dreamwave Productions team. In 2004, it got its first convention exclusive in the form of a variant Convention Exclusive cover of Transformers #1 Vol. 3 published by Dreamwave Productions. In 2006, the first 3d merchandise exclusive was released, a "stealth" repaint of the Cyclonus Hard Hero Bust. In 2007, TFcon finally got its first transforming toy exclusive, an unlicensed downsized version of Dinobot Slag in his green G2 colors dubbed "Flamethrower". In its first 2 years the convention was moved around Ontario, but now finds a permanent annual home in Toronto, Ontario. In 2009 TFcon expanded to a 2 day convention by merging with the 80s Toy Expo on the Sunday of the event. This was necessary due to many dealers completely selling out of merchandise on the Saturday requiring a dealer room restock if a 2nd day was to be added. As of 2008, this convention formerly named TransformersCon is now officially called TFcon. Each year since it's conception TFcon has increased in attendence with 2010 ballooning to 2500 people over the course of the weekend. TFCon was featured in the Shout Factory Season 3&4 DVD in the Special Features Featurette "The Autobots, The Decpeticons & The Fans", including mention in the "Special Thanks" section of the special feature credits. TFcon 2004 Documentary (then titled TransformersCon) appears on Metrodome's 2004 release of Transformers Season One DVD set, as well interviews with voice actors David Kaye & Garry Chalk from TFcon appear on the Madman Beast Wars 2006 Season 2 DVD sets.
Dates and locations
- 2002: November 10 – Lawfield Arena, Hamilton, Ontario
- 2003: June 22 – Holiday Inn Burlington Hotel & Conference Centre, Burlington, Ontario
- 2004: March 12–13 – Holiday Inn Toronto Airport East, Toronto, Ontario
- 2005: March 25–26 – Doubletree International Plaza Hotel Toronto Airport, Toronto, Ontario
- 2006: April 28–29 – Doubletree International Plaza Hotel Toronto Airport, Toronto, Ontario
- 2007: April 27–28 – Doubletree International Plaza Hotel Toronto Airport, Toronto, Ontario
- 2008: June 20–21 – Doubletree International Plaza Hotel Toronto Airport, Toronto, Ontario
- 2009: April 24–26 – Doubletree International Plaza Hotel Toronto Airport, Toronto, Ontario
- 2010: July 17–18 – Doubletree International Plaza Hotel Toronto Airport, Toronto, Ontario
- 2011: July 30–31 – Delta Meadowvale Resort and Conference Centre, Mississauga, Ontario
Special guests
- 2002: None
- 2003: Joe Ng, Roger Lee and various members of the Dreamwave Productions team
- 2004: David Kaye, Pat Lee, Joe Ng, James "Brad Mick" McDonough, Adam Patyk, Rob Ruffalo
- 2005: Garry Chalk, James "Brad Mick" McDonough, Adam Patyk, Joe Ng, Alex Milne, Matt Moylan, Karl Hartman, Pete Sinclair
- 2006: Don Murphy, Michael McConnohie, Joe Ng, Alex Milne, Rik Alvarez, Rob Russ, Erik Ko
- 2007: Michael Bell, Joe Ng, Alex Milne, Matt Moylan, Matt Hansen
- 2008: Gregg Berger, Alex Milne, Matt Moylan, Espen Grundetjern and Hasbro Canada
- 2009: Dan Gilvezan, Derrick J. Wyatt, Alex Milne, Matt Moylan and Hasbro Canada
- 2010: David Kaye, Mark Ryan, Derrick J. Wyatt, Marvin Mariano, Dan Khanna, Eric Bauza, Alex Milne, Matt Moylan and Hasbro Canada
Exclusives
- 2002: 2002 Convention Exclusive T-Shirt with artwork by Derek Douglas
- 2004: Variant cover of Transformers #1 Volume 3 published by Dreamwave Productions with artwork by Don Figueroa
- 2005: Convention Exclusive Dinobots Poster and 2005 Convention Exclusive T-Shirt with artwork by Joe Ng
- 2006: Stealth Cyclonus Hard Hero Bust, Alternate Cover to Transformers vs. G.I.Joe #1 with art by Joe Ng, and the 2006 Convention Exclusive T-Shirt with art by Alex Milne
- 2007: Exclusive WST G2 Flamethrower toy, 2007 Convention Exclusive T-Shirt, and the Alternated Masterpiece Lithograph featuring art by Alex Milne
- 2008: 2008 Convention Exclusive T-Shirt
- 2009: Exclusive Powered Commander toy, 2009 Convention Exclusive T-Shirt and the Universe Divided Lithograph featuring art by Alex Milne
- 2010: Exclusive Night-bird toy and 2010 Convention Exclusive T-Shirt
References and Media Reports
- Official Website
- Electric Playground Television Feature [1]
- Televised YTV Shorts [2][3][4][5]
- Toyfare Magazine Mention [6]
- City TV Breakfast Television Guest Spot [7]
- 680 News article about TFcon [8]
- Dorkshelf.com article [9]
- Mississauga.com Article [10]
- TFcon Article in the Toronto Star [11]
- TFcon segment from The Circuit on Space Channel [12]
