Visit Anaheim and Visit California take the center stage at SXSW Sydney 2024 festival

Tuesday, October 22, 2024

Visit Anaheim and Visit California took center stage at the SXSW Sydney 2024 festival, exploring the rising influence of fandom on travel at a panel discussion titled “The Power of Fandom.”

Hosted at USA House, the event delved into how fan communities, from sports to cosplay, are driving travel trends and shaping destination choices.

Held on October 18, the event featured a lively program of activities celebrating California, including a cosplay workshop by Chris Stanley (Cosplay Chris), a California wine masterclass, and performances by singer-songwriter Evie Irie. The day culminated with a “West Coast After Dark” DJ dance party, all reinforcing California’s appeal as a vibrant and diverse destination.

During the “Power of Fandom” panel, experts from the cosplay and travel industries, including key representatives from Visit Anaheim, Visit California, and Brand USA, discussed how fandom—whether for comic conventions, sports, or Disney—is fueling tourism.

Panelists included Chris Stanley, Disney Bounding expert Skye Roberts, sports commentator Kate Allman, and Australia’s biggest Spider-Man fan, Rod Addamo.

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