Best Convention

Atlanta. 1987. A small group of sci-fi fans joined forces to create what has become arguably the supreme gathering of geeks and nerds in the world. All kneel before Dragon Con. Every Labor Day weekend, Jedis, Dr. Whos, and Klingons descend upon Downtown and, after taking over the city’s most iconic street with a parade rivaled only by Pride, party in hotels. When not showing off costumes, attendees sit in panel discussions about filking, participate in live-action role-playing, and pack Q&As with the cast of”Mystery Science Theater 3000” and other popular series. If you’re able to squeeze yourself into one of the host hotels to party alongside them, you have a wonderful night ahead of you. Thank you for being a geeky friend that enlivens our city and pumps millions of dollars into our local economy, Dragon Con. less...

This year, Atlanta lost several trade shows, some of whose organizers blamed an economic slump for diminished interest in the events. Despite the losses, the BRONNER BROS. INTERNATIONAL HAIR SHOW, hosted by the Marietta-based hair product company and drawing 50,000 people to the Georgia World Congress Center every August, is holding up Atlanta’s reputation as a convention town with the tenaciousness of a tub of African Royale Mink Oil Gel. From intense barber battles to outlandish hairstyles bobbing down the fashion runway, the convention is so iconic that Ludacris gives it props in his track “Pimpin’ All Over the World”: “But I drop you off and pay you no attention/If I make it to Atlanta’s Bronner Brothers convention.”
www.bronnerbros.com.

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