Reflecting on WonderCon 2025: Lessons Learned & Future Plans
WonderCon 2025 has wrapped, and while it didn’t go exactly as planned, it was still a valuable experience for CausePlay. Originally, the plan was to have the ambulance inside the convention as the official cosplay repair station. However, due to several factors, whether it was timeline constraints with the paint job, delays from the Yorba Linda Incident, and other life events, that didn’t happen. Instead, I made a last-minute pivot to a mobile setup, carrying a small gear selection in a ZÜCA pack with a handmade medic flag to make my presence known.
Despite the challenges, I was able to help about ten cosplayers with repairs throughout the day. However, being solo meant I couldn't document the experience as much as I would have liked, which limited the marketing impact. Moving forward, I realize the importance of having a bigger team—both to help with repairs and ensure content creation happens no matter what. Life happens, and having backup support ensures things stay on track, even when unexpected circumstances arise.
One thing that worked well was handing out small gifts, like tribbles, after helping people. It made the interaction more memorable and reinforced the CausePlay brand. Flyers, on the other hand, were only effective when given to people I had already assisted—cold handouts didn’t have the same impact.
Looking ahead, I’ll be shifting focus to securing a presence at San Diego Comic-Con in July, where I plan to have a fully polished setup. Being inside the convention as a sponsored exhibitor will not only give me the space I need but also make it easier to secure additional badges for a dedicated team. Additionally, I’ll be following up with Comic Con Int. about opportunities with the Comic-Con Museum and other future collaborations.
Helping people with their costumes was the most rewarding part of the event. Seeing the relief on someone's face when their cosplay was saved or their prop was fixed reinforced exactly why I want to pursue CausePlay. It's not just about the craft—it's about the community. Every repair, every small act of support, reminds me why this project matters. It was incredible to be able to contribute to the convention experience for those who needed it.
WonderCon was a learning experience, but CausePlay is just getting started. With each event, the vision becomes clearer, and I’m excited for what’s next. If you found me at the con and got a repair or a tribble, thanks for being part of the journey—there’s so much more to come!