It seems like Geek’d Con 2025 was just the other day, so it’s hard to believe another year has gone by and it was time for the 2026 version of the show in Shreveport, Louisiana. This year, I was able to get a little earlier start on the day and arrived at the Shreveport Convention Center at 9:30 am on a Saturday morning. It was warm, but the weather was clear and the traffic on the two-hour drive was smooth and easy.
Doors opened at 10 am, so being that I was a little early, the nearby parking garage still had space available. However, I decided to park in the wide-open parking lot next to the garage, as it would be easier to get out when it was time to go. Walking time to the convention center from either location is a matter of a couple minutes.
With a quick trip through the security check, I was off to the box office to grab my media pass, another fast and efficient process. There was already a nice crowd in line, but with multiple lines available and plenty of lobby space, it was a comfortable wait for the doors to open.
Upon entering the main floor, I immediately noticed the layout was different than in previous years. This year, the organizers used the available space more effectively. In the past, I found there to be a bit of crowding in the vendor area and a lot of wasted space overall. That wasn’t the case this time.
The celebrity area was located to the right side on the first floor main hall. It was arranged to allow for a good flow of traffic into and out of the tables. I passed through this area a few times during the day and at no point was it congested. There were people in lines to meet the guests, but it was very easy to walk through given the arrangement.
If you’ve never been to this convention center, the celebrity area seen here makes up about 20% of the overall space on the main floor, so it’s not a small area by any means. Comfortable shoes are definitely recommended.
The vendors and artists took up the remaining space. Artists were spread along the front wall, leaving the entire middle grounds for vendors.
The crowd started out on the lighter side and the cavernous hall felt a little empty, but steadily filled as the day moved along. By the afternoon, the aisles were flowing with people looking to scoop up their favorite merch, but I never had to slow down or squeeze past other attendees.
This was a family-friendly event and I saw a wide range of ages, from young to old, all enjoying the great environment. Of course, many people came in comfortable clothes to beat the Louisiana heat (the convention center’s air conditioners definitely work, too!), but there were plenty of people dressed in cosplay. Many of the costumes were elaborate and looked incredible. It’s always fun checking out the hard work these cosplayers put into their outfits.
The second floor was a quick escalator ride away and offered even more vendors with merch for sale. The panel rooms were also located on the second floor, giving those in attendance an opportunity to listen to their favorite guests talk, tell stories, and answer questions.
For those looking to fuel up during the day, Geek’d Con has you covered. Their concession areas are located in the back of the main floor and included plenty of seating to have a quick bite. The prices are higher than you’ll see at a fast food restaurant, but nothing out of the ordinary for a show like this.
I was able to meet artist Joe Rubinstein shortly after the doors opened. I asked him to sign my copy of Superman #123, one of my favorite Superman covers from back in the day. He shared a story on how when he received the illustrations for the book, it didn’t take him long to ink it and he felt bad about it, especially because he didn’t realize it would go on to be so heavily publicized. For those not aware, this was the first appearance of Superman Blue, a new electric form of Clark Kent, so it was a big deal at the time.
After chatting with him for a moment, I walked around to the five comic book vendors at the show. As an avid comic book collector, my favorite thing to do at a convention is dig through boxes of comics looking for books I don’t have. The hunt for an old back issue is such a relaxing process to me and I had ample opportunity to do so at Geek’d Con.
I was able to score several books on this trip. One thing I will say for the vendors in attendance is that they were quite willing to work with me on the prices of their books. My suggestion for other back issue hunters is don’t be afraid to ask about prices, especially if paying with cash. Often, the vendors are happy to make a deal, allowing you to stretch your dollars a little farther.
After about six hours of walking around and taking in the con experience, it was time to head home. As in years past, I had to make a stop at Excalibur Comics before heading home. They’re a great comic shop and I always look forward to visiting them. If you’re in Shreveport for Geek’d Con or anything else, it’s worth at least a few minutes of your time to check them out.
Overall, Geek’d Con 2026 was a highly enjoyable event. The venue is in an easily accessible location, the show is well-organized, and the environment is just plain fun. I can’t wait to make a return trip there next year!
