The 11th LVLUP EXPO in Las Vegas became a hub for anime, video games, and esports fans to come together at the Las Vegas Convention Center, West Hall. The convention took place on April 26-28, 2024.
About the LVLUP EXPO
LVLUP EXPO is coined as an “event for competitors, collectors and fans to gather,” and lived up to its expectations. With so many companies, like Among Us, Electrolit and Crunchyroll all making an appearance, it seemed everyone wanted to get in on the action this year.
With incredible guests from some of the most popular anime, TV series and video games such as Hazbin Hotel, Genshin Impact, God of War, My Hero Academia, and Jujutsu Kaisen fans got the behind-the-scenes of so many of their series and the look into the lives of their favorite voice actors, during their panels.
Also, the event held 21 different gaming tournaments for console, side console, PC and table-top players. A wide variety of competitors attended the convention, just to claim the title of the best. Some of these tournaments include but are not limited to, Street Fighter 6, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Valorant, and Mario Kart 8.Â
However, the convention had more than just video game tournaments and panels to keep attendees entertained. Other events included a Cosplay Contest, KPOP battles, Lip Sync for Your Cosplay, Pro Wrestling, and a Side Quest.
Differences This Year
This year, the LVLUP EXPO switched locations, since it was usually held at the South Hall. Fans were taken to the West Hall instead. Seeing as LVLUP has had a huge popularity increase, it makes sense to switch the location to the bigger hall. Now fans were met with a three-story convention hall with so much space to hang out, relax, or enjoy all the amenities.
However, due to the location change, the walk from the parking lot or the monorail station would’ve been longer. Attendees were transported from their respective parking lots using the Las Vegas Loop, also known as the “Tesla Tunnels” by locals. Various Tesla models picked up attendees, took them underground into multicolor tunnels and dropped them off at the side of the West Hall entrance, cutting the walking time in half.Â
Once at the location, fans were urged to download the LVLUP EXPO app. The app told fans panel times, voice actor appearances, tournament times, and locations of artists in Artist Alley. Not only that, but with the bigger hall also came bigger panels, including a Crunchyroll Screening Room that played a variety of shows, such as Soul Eater!, My Dress up Darling, and Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion. All of the information and watch times could be found on the app.
Overall Thoughts
With all the different exhibitors, vendors and artists, time seemed to fly so quickly at the convention. My favorite part had to be exploring everything the artists and exhibitors had to offer. Whether that was swiping a card at the Among Us booth, exploring some of the items at the Crunchyroll booth, or supporting local artists, the sellers made the convention so much more interesting.
Not only that, but it was also entertaining to watch so many esports competitors battle it out in a variety of video games on different big screens. There were so many announcers cheering them on. The pro-wrestling matches also were entertaining, seeing as the wrestlers participated in some crowd work, like looking at attendees’ fake props and joking about using them in their matches.
Overall, LVLUP EXPO connected with attendees and ensured that there was something for everyone who attended. With an overwhelming amount of activities and sellers, there was never a dull moment at the convention.
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