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SUSTAINABILITY AT FAN EXPO HQ
Sustainability is a broad and constantly evolving concept. For us it boils down to being fair and responsible in the long term. It’s about increasing the positive impacts we have whilst minimizing the negative impacts. To do this we consider our Purpose and our responsibilities to our Communities and the Environment.
Purpose
Discover, Celebrate, Belong
Dreamers, gamers, creators and misfits …. What brings us together is our passion for adventures in fandom.
FAN EXPO is a place where fans can discover unique, once in a lifetime experiences and connect with like-minded friends, new and old, real and imaginary.
Join us.
Highlighted Community Initiatives
FAN EXPO HQ works to have a positive and lasting effect on the communities in which it operates. Here are some examples of our ongoing commitment to this pillar.
TDSB - TORONTO DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
Each year, we distribute Kids Free coupons and 2 for 1 Youth ticket offers across 585 schools within 22 wards, representing over 295,000 elementary & secondary students across the City of Toronto. In addition, we also participate in the Family Adventure Passport program created for the Model School in Inner Cities which represents 75,000 students across 150 schools. Included in this program is the Kids Free coupons and 2for1 Youth ticket offers. The Model Schools program is committed to nurturing the individual and collective strengths of students, families and communities. By recognizing and honouring students’ identities and lived experiences in the classroom and within the community-at-large, to enhance equity, student achievement and well-being for all students.
CALGARY EXPO ANNUAL LIVE ART AUCTION
Each year in Calgary, the team collaborates with Artist Alley artists to produce an Art Book. The book is themed each year and inspires contributors to create a unique piece for the collection. The completed book (usually about 1,000 copies each year) is sold in the Expo Store. The original pieces of art are donated by the artists to a live art auction, which takes place on the Saturday of Calgary Expo, and funds raised support charities including the Make-A-Wish Foundation for Southern Alberta, Michael J. Fox Foundation, and the Christopher Reeve Foundation. This special auction has raised over $60,000 and provided special keepsakes for fans.
MICHAEL J.FOX FOUNDATION
FAN EXPO Dallas supported The Michael J. Fox Foundation on World Parkinson’s Day
On World Parkinson’s Day 2019, April 11, we put the passion of our fans to good use through two charitable initiatives aimed at supporting The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s research.
At a special cast reunion event, a completely custom Onewheel XR board was designed after the iconic hoverboard made famous by Back to the Future. This truly unique collector’s item was signed by cast members Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Tome Wilson and James Tolkan.
Immediately ahead of the FAN EXPO event, An Evening with the Cast of Back to the Future took place where we offered attendees the opportunity to bid on this one-of-a-kind board. All proceeds from the on-site auction of this collectible directly benefitted the Michael J. Fox Foundation.
In addition to the auction, $5 from each FAN EXPO Dallas admission ticket sold on World Parkinson’s Day were donated to The Michael J. Fox Foundation. Every fan who purchased a ticket was directly supporting the Foundation to reach their ultimate goal: to find a cure for Parkinson’s disease.
#MEGAMOMENTS!
After Hurricane Irma left a trail of devastation across Florida, MEGACON Orlando got on the phone to call in the big guns. The Iconic Stan Lee answered the call and appeared at the show to meet with fans and take part in a special fundraising event. What ensued was a once in a lifetime gathering that raised over $30,000 for Feeding Florida’s hurricane relief efforts.
DALLAS FAN FESTIVAL & NORTH TEXAS SPCA
In 2019, the SPCA of Texas brought adoptable dogs to Dallas Fan Festival. After meeting a favorite celebrity, fans were invited to stop by the SPCA of Texas’ mobile adoptions vehicle located outside the Irving Convention Center. Several dogs and cats even found their fur-ever homes. In addition, Dallas Fan Festival donated $2,500 to SPCA so they can continue their exceptional work in the community on behalf of these animals.
LOVE IS LOVE
In honor of the Victims and Families impacted by the Pulse night club tragedy, Mark Andreyko produced the Love is Love comic anthology with contributions from 300 comic creators. All sales proceeds went to Equality Florida.
MEGACON Orlando partnered with Marc to bring several Love is Love activations to our event May 26-28, 2017 including An art gallery showcasing many of the prominent pieces from the book, a live auction to sell the pieces of the art from the book, a book signing featuring top comic guests such as Phil Jimenez (Wonder Woman), Scott Snyder (All Star Batman), Tom King (Batman) and cover artist Cat Staggs. The events at MEGACON Orlando raised more than $18,000 for Equity Florida to support their work in the LGBTQIA+ community.
CITIZENSHIP CEREMONY
In 2019 Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and FAN EXPO Canada™ hosted a pop culture inspired citizenship ceremony and welcomed 90 new Canadians took the citizenship oath in a galaxy not so far, far away.
The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, administered the oath of citizenship. Other guests included Liem Vu, host of Global News Morning Toronto; and Andrew Moyes, Vice President of FAN EXPO HQ.
SPAULDING REHABILATATION HOSPITAL
FAN EXPO Boston Collaboration with Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital
Since 2016, cosplayers from FAN EXPO Boston have been visiting patients and participating in “Superhero Day” to lift their spirits and bring them cheer. This initiative takes place in Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Boston, one of the largest rehabilitation facilities in the United States that has been consistently ranked in U.S. News and World Report as one of the top rehabilitation hospitals in the country. In 2019, we ramped up our support and donated $5 per ticket sold on August 6, 2019 to go toward the renowned hospital and rehabilitation facility and gave fans the opportunity to make an additional donation. In 2019 Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital was also featured at a “Test Your Strength” booth on the show floor where hospital therapists were checking fans’ strength using a grip tester.
HIGHLIGHTED ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVES
FAN EXPO HQ and its Partners are committed to finding ways to protect the environment in the production of its events.
Here are some ways we are harnessing our superpowers to deliver greener events:
- FAN EXPO HQ’s mobile app, powered by FAN GURU, reduces our need for a large printed show program guide. It has more content, including real time schedule updates, notifications of any cancellations, and lets each fan curate their event experience
- FAN EXPO HQ’s exhibitor guidelines are communicated to exhibitors electronically and accessible on our website to assist in reducing their footprint when it comes to use of signage, booth structure materials, promotional materials, carpet, travel, etc.
- FAN EXPO Dallas: Unconsumed food and consumer products from shows are donated through the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Centre Good Neighbor program to several non-profits serving homeless and at-risk people in Downtown Dallas.
- FAN EXPO Boston: Organic waste collected at the BCEC is sent to a facility in Boston where it is made into a slurry for biogas. In 2019, the recycling and organics diversion program resulted in a 47% diversion rate from landfill or waste to energy incineration
- FAN EXPO Holiday Market: At the FAN EXPO Holiday Market, fans are encouraged to trade non-perishable food items in exchange for overstocked merchandise such as t-shirts and bags. The result is twofold: FAN EXPO reduces its waste footprint by giving away merchandise that would otherwise be discarded and secondly, fans are able to donate food to the Daily Bread Food Bank at our show