How a small ball pit became the defining symbol of a disastrous fan convention
In short: In 2014, a gathering for Tumblr users spiraled into chaos, marked by financial disputes, abandoned celebrity guests, and a desperate crowdfunding plea. The event is best remembered for a singular, underwhelming ball pit, which organizers offered as compensation for canceled programming, inadvertently cementing the convention's status as an internet legend.
Originally conceived in 2013 by a teenager named Lochlan O'Neil, the event was intended to be the premier meeting place for fans of online communities like Doctor Who and Welcome to Night Vale. By the time it launched in July 2014 at a hotel in Schaumburg, Illinois, the project had shifted from a fan-led vision to a limited liability partnership managed by Megan Eli and Roxanne Schwieterman. The reality fell far short of expectations; while organizers had projected thousands of attendees, only about 350 people arrived.
The situation deteriorated rapidly on the first night. Staff claimed the venue demanded an immediate $20,000 payment to keep the doors open, forcing organizers to publicly solicit donations from the small crowd to reach a $17,000 goal. Simultaneously, invited guests were shocked to learn they were expected to cover their own lodging costs. Amidst the confusion, the organizers offered an extra hour in a small, sparse ball pit as a consolation prize for canceled panels. This bizarre gesture became an instant meme, symbolizing the perceived incompetence of the event.
While some participants defended the organizers, citing the complexities of running a first-time convention, the fallout was severe. The company dissolved shortly after, and O'Neil later described the experience as the most traumatic day of her life, citing years of harassment. Despite the infamy of the 2014 event, the name was eventually reclaimed in 2025 with a successful, unrelated convention held in Toronto, marking a strange, decade-long evolution for a brand once synonymous with internet failure.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: DashCon
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