BrickCon

What BrickCon does

BrickCon is the operating identity of the BrickCon Foundation, a Washington-state 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 92-2409956) that has produced the world's longest-running LEGO fan exhibition annually since 2002. Its core product is a two-day event held each September at the Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue, WA, comprising (i) a public exhibition drawing 10,000+ visitors to view 1,000+ LEGO models built by 400+ Adult Fans of LEGO (AFOLs), and (ii) a private, registered-attendee-only (18+) convention featuring building competitions, seminars, games, swag, and early access to the Brick Bazaar vendor marketplace. A Virtual Attendance tier extends the event to remote audiences via live streams, online games, virtual tours, Discord access, and a virtual exhibition with awards, while a BotBox product showcases autonomous LEGO-built robot demonstrations.

The organization is community-led and 100% fan-produced by volunteers in the Pacific Northwest, with year-round engagement maintained through a private Discord server and an email newsletter. Revenue is generated from five streams: public exhibition day tickets sold exclusively online through the Afton Tickets platform, paid AFOL convention registrations, virtual attendance passes, tax-deductible donations processed via Zeffy to support STEAM education and LEGO culture preservation, and vendor and sponsor fees tied to the Brick Bazaar marketplace and a multi-tier sponsorship program (Chrome, Plate, Brick, Tile). Key commercial and brand partners include LEGO Group (official AFOL Networking Event recognition since 2018), Visit Bellevue (Event of the Year 2024), BrickLink, The Brothers Brick, Bricks and Wheels, Sasquatch Bricks, and the Meydenbauer Center venue.

Underlying technology is intentionally minimal: no proprietary platform, mobile app, API, or software product is disclosed; the digital stack consists of a content website, a third-party ticketing integration, a Discord server, a Google Forms email capture, and a donation form. Pricing for tickets and registrations is published through Afton Tickets but specific price points are not disclosed on the BrickCon site. The organization has no parent company, no subsidiaries, no funding rounds, and no disclosed headcount or revenue figures.

Name

BrickCon

Legal name

BrickCon Foundation

Website

https://brickcon.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

BrickCon Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that produces the world's longest-running annual LEGO fan exhibition in Bellevue, WA, serving Adult Fans of LEGO, families, and vendors via tickets, registrations, virtual attendance, donations, and a vendor marketplace.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Fan Convention & Exhibition

NAICS

Amusement, Gambling, and Recreation Industries (713)

akta.pro primary industry

General Consumer Expos & Trade Shows (MPAGAFAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Collectibles & Hobby Shows (MPAGAFAN)

Keywords

• LEGO fan convention
• LEGO exhibition event
• Fan community gathering
• STEAM education programs
• LEGO vendor marketplace

Headquarters

HQ city

Bellevue

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Public Exhibition Tickets: Ticket sales for the public exhibition held at the Meydenbauer Center. Tickets are sold exclusively online through Afton Tickets, with specific day entries (Saturday or Sunday). No physical ticket booth at the event.
2. Convention Registration: Registration fees for Adult Fans of LEGO (AFOLs) to attend the private convention portion, which includes access to all activities, games, presentations, swag bags, custom engraved bricks, and early Brick Bazaar access.
3. Virtual Attendance: Online/virtual attendance option providing access to presentation live streams, online games, virtual tours, Discord access, online social meet-ups, virtual door prizes, and virtual exhibition with awards.
4. Donations: Tax-deductible donations to the BrickCon Foundation (501(c)(3) nonprofit, EIN: 92-2409956) supporting STEAM education, LEGO culture preservation, and community programs.
5. Vendor Fees: The Brick Bazaar features various LEGO vendors selling sets, minifigures, parts, custom items, and merchandise. Vendors include Bricks and Wheels, Crazy Bricks, Sasquatch Bricks, The Brick Chick, and many others.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

BrickCon is an annual LEGO fan convention and public exhibition held at the Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue, WA, featuring over 1,000 LEGO models built by 400+ adult fan builders. The event sells public exhibition tickets, private AFOL (Adult Fans of LEGO, 18+) convention registrations, and virtual attendance passes, alongside a vendor marketplace (Brick Bazaar) and STEAM education programs operated by the BrickCon Foundation.

Product overview

BrickCon is a nonprofit LEGO fan convention and exhibition organization offering a two-sided event: a private convention for adult registered attendees (AFOLs) featuring competitions, games, seminars, and early vendor access, plus a public exhibition where over 1,000 LEGO models are displayed to more than 10,000 visitors. The organization also offers virtual attendance options with live streams and online activities, operates the Brick Bazaar vendor marketplace, hosts BotBox robot demonstrations, and provides educational programs through the BrickCon Foundation. The core offering centers on the annual in-person event at Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue, WA, supplemented by year-round community engagement via a private Discord server.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• BrickCon Public Exhibition The main public-facing BrickCon event where families and LEGO enthusiasts of all ages purchase day-specific tickets (Saturday or Sunday) to view over 1,000 LEGO models and more than 1 million bricks on display. Sold exclusively online through Afton Tickets with no physical booth at the venue.
• BrickCon Private Convention (AFOL Registration) Registered adult attendee (18+) convention featuring building competitions with prizes (Best of Show, People's Choice, category winners), educational seminars, games, LEGO set raffles, swag bags, custom engraved bricks, and early access to the Brick Bazaar vendor hall. Includes year-round access to the private BrickCon Discord server.
• BrickCon Virtual Attendance Online attendee pass providing live streams of presentations, online games, virtual tours, access to the private Discord server, online social meet-ups, virtual door prizes, and a virtual exhibition with awards — designed for global fans unable to attend in person.
• Brick Bazaar Vendor Marketplace On-site vendor marketplace featuring rare LEGO sets, custom pieces, minifigures, vintage items, artwork, jewelry, apparel, and LEGO-themed merchandise from 20+ vendors including Bricks and Wheels, Crazy Bricks, Sasquatch Bricks, and The Brick Chick. AFOL convention attendees receive early access before the public exhibition hours.
• BrickCon Foundation STEAM Education Programs STEAM education initiatives operated by the BrickCon Foundation supporting creativity and learning through LEGO bricks, including programs for the public in Washington state. Funded through tax-deductible donations (EIN: 92-2409956).

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• LEGO GroupflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial recognition by LEGO Group as an AFOL Networking Event since 2018. This prestigious recognition establishes BrickCon as a legitimate fan convention and provides brand credibility within the LEGO community.
• Visit BellevuecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal tourism organization that awarded BrickCon 'Event of the Year 2024' and provides promotional support for the convention as a destination event in Bellevue, WA.
• Meydenbauer CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual venue partner hosting the BrickCon exhibition. Located at 11100 NE 6th St, Bellevue, WA, the center provides the exhibition space and facilities for the weekend event.
• Marriott Courtyard BellevueminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial hotel partner offering special room rates for BrickCon weekend attendees. Located one block from Meydenbauer Center, with bookings available through a direct link before August 14th.
• Afton TicketscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOfficial ticketing partner for online ticket sales. Handles all public exhibition ticket transactions with affiliate tracking.
• Sound TransitminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPublic transit authority providing Link Light Rail (2 Line) service to Bellevue Downtown Station, directly serving BrickCon attendees. Sound Transit 560 bus also runs directly from Sea-Tac Airport to Bellevue Transit Center.
• Bricks and WheelsflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerChrome-level sponsor selling new and used LEGO sets, minifigures, parts and pieces. Also operates as a vendor at the Brick Bazaar.
• The Brothers BrickcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerChrome-level sponsor and LEGO news media outlet bringing the best LEGO news and reviews alongside BrickCon's amazing models.
• BrickLinkcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBrick sponsor and leading marketplace for genuine LEGO products. Provides extensive catalog access for builders and collectors.
• Sasquatch BrickscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPlate-level sponsor and most comprehensive LEGO independent retailer, carrying everything from newest sets to rarest sets. Also a vendor at BrickCon.
• Crazy BrickscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPlate-level sponsor making custom mini figures and mini figure accessories. Also a vendor at BrickCon.
• Math 'n' StuffminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSeattle family-owned toy and game store recognized by LEGO Group as a Gold Standard Partner since 2013. Offers exclusive LEGO events and extended product selection.
• Bricks 4 KidzminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner offering fun, hands-on LEGO and tech programs that spark creativity and build STEAM skills. Participates in BrickCon with a booth for kids to build and win prizes.
• Play-Well TEKnologiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner offering STEM programs where students design and build with LEGO pieces under instructor guidance. Participates in BrickCon to engage with the community.
• Child's PlayminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTile-level nonprofit sponsor that delivers therapeutic games and technology to pediatric hospitals to improve patients' lives through the power of play.
• Pass The BricksminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTile-level nonprofit sponsor dedicated to repurposing used LEGO bricks into new sets for kids who wouldn't normally have access to them.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Maker Faire: Maker Faire is the largest U.S. maker/DIY community event series, with overlapping audience interest in LEGO building, robotics, and engineering. It is a broader incumbent in the maker/STEM hobby event space where BrickCon also operates through its STEAM education mission.

Direct peers

• LEGO KidsFest: LEGO KidsFest is a touring LEGO-branded family event featuring large-scale builds, play zones, and meet-and-greets. While officially LEGO-affiliated rather than fan-run, it competes with BrickCon for family ticket purchasers and casual LEGO enthusiasts in overlapping U.S. markets.
• Brickworld: Brickworld operates large-scale LEGO fan conventions in multiple U.S. cities (Chicago area and others), serving the same AFOL community with similar builder exhibitions, competitions, and vendor marketplaces. It is the closest direct competitor to BrickCon in the U.S. LEGO fan convention space.
• BRICKLIVE: BRICKLIVE operates international touring LEGO shows and exhibitions with corporate backing, serving AFOL and family audiences with large-scale model displays and interactive experiences. It is a well-capitalized direct competitor targeting similar audiences globally.
• BrickFair Virginia / BrickFair Alabama: Operated under the BrickFair umbrella, these regional LEGO fan conventions replicate BrickCon's builder exhibition and vendor marketplace model across multiple U.S. geographies, representing the closest format competition.
• BrickFair: BrickFair runs LEGO fan conventions in multiple U.S. locations (Virginia, Alabama, and others) featuring MOC displays, vendors, and AFOL programming — directly comparable to BrickCon in format, audience, and community positioning.

Emerging players

• Beyond the Brick: Beyond the Brick is a LEGO-focused media outlet (YouTube, podcast, website) covering AFOL builders, conventions, and community news. While not a competing event, it intersects with BrickCon's audience and serves as an adjacent content/community platform.

Regional players

• BrickSlope (formerly SLC BrickSlope): BrickSlope is a LEGO fan convention based in the Salt Lake City area, serving the regional AFOL community with builder exhibitions and vendor marketplaces. It is structurally similar to BrickCon but operates in a different U.S. geography.
• Emerald City Comic Con: Emerald City Comic Con is a major Pacific Northwest fan convention (Seattle) drawing similar family-friendly, hobbyist audiences. While focused on comics/pop culture rather than LEGO specifically, it competes for the same regional family event-goer and ticket-purchaser base.
• Bricktastic: Bricktastic is a UK-based LEGO fan convention serving the British AFOL community with builder exhibitions and vendor halls. It is structurally comparable to BrickCon but operates in a different geography without direct competition.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/brickcon

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about BrickCon