“ComplexCon combines a convention, music festival, food festival, and events like South by Southwest—and puts them all in a blender.”
We have eating place , shows , and slot machines , but Las Vegas is really driven by craft expos and convention . These industriousness - only events are typically closed to the oecumenical populace , but there ’s one notable elision this month . ComplexConcomes to Sin City for the first time , unfolding over two days , November 16–17 , at the Las Vegas Convention Center . And yes , you ’re ask for .
" ComplexCon combines a convention , medicine festival , food festival , and event like South by Southwest — and puts them all in a liquidizer , " say founder and CEO Aaron Levant . “It ’s like Comic - Con , but rather of pop civilisation and entertainment as the through - line , it ’s fashion , tennis shoe acculturation , hip - hop music , and the food that goes along with that . "
Yes , accessibility is cardinal , but there ’s also an component of exclusivity . Throughout the sidereal day , the floor of ComplexCon is dominated by the Marketplace — a gathering of more than 300 brands , all selling products only available at the event . Once those item are run low , they ’re pass .
Photo by Jacqueline Verdugo, courtesy ComplexCon
stoolpigeon are the most in need , featuring exclusive release from the likes of Nike , ASICS , Saucony , and more . You ’ll also see more than a hundred limited - edition items from various streetwear brands plus miniature and other unexpected products . " You go to a plaza and everyone ’s get the same stores with the same shit , right ? " Levant continues . " So , ComplexCon is a unique shopping mall that pops up for two days and you literally can not chance anything there online or anywhere else in the Earth . "
The booths themselves are photo stations and interactive attractions in their own right hand . Be quick to snap lots of photos to partake in online . You may discover yourself shooting wicket , playing TV games , or reading tarot cards . " Nike once did a design studio apartment where you could come in and actually make a pair of sneakers with Virgil Abloh , " Levant says , recalling the late fashion icon . " That ’s obviously an amazing , one - of - a - kind experience . "
You might satisfy a few noted faces on the storey , representing their own products — like Lil Yachty , for example . In many ways , ComplexCon is borrow element of Comic - Con in San Diego and CinemaCon in Vegas , bringing in celebrities to reveal new details on their in style byplay speculation and entertainment projection .
Sneaker of the Year panel at ComplexCon 2023.|Photo by David J Crewe
snooper Dogg and Dr. Dre are special Edgar Albert Guest , push not only their new reunification albumMissionary , but also their drink brand , Gin & Juice by Dre and Snoop . The two will join Drink Champs for a live podcast recording at ComplexConversations , a serial publication of panels off the show floor . Traditionally , the " Sneaker of the Year " treatment and demonstration is the most anticipated .
Red One , a picture show starring Dwayne " The Rock " Johnson and Chris Evans , will have a presence at the event . fan can also sign up for a screening of the newGladiatormovie . Even the WWE has a John Wilkes Booth , await forward to Wrestlemania in Las Vegas next year .
Levant establish his reputation with the Agenda streetwear trade show and launched ComplexCon in 2016 with Marc Ecko of Complex , institute the pages of the magazine to lifetime for the existence to see . The outcome ran for seven years in Long Beach before arriving in Vegas , where it has the space and resources to become grownup than ever .
New this year : Family Style , a nutrient festival within the festival , featuring furore favourite from around the country and top Vegas names , include Lotus of Siam , Big B ’s Texas BBQ , and Sorry , Not Sorry ice cream . gourmet TikTok influencer Keith Lee was invited to put together his own local picks — Frankensons Pizzeria , Saint Honore , Buldogis and Lefty - J ’s Island Favorites .
The primary attraction : Detroit ’s Supino Pizza is team up up with the Eminem - affiliated Mom ’s Spaghetti for a series of exceptional bites . " These are one - time - only exclusive dishes , " Levant explains . " The same way we recollect about the merch , sneakers , and MT - shirts is the same way we conceive about the food . "
DJs do on a small degree throughout the day . When evening rolls around , a paries opens up to a monumental fete stage , headlined by Playboi Carti on Saturday and Travis Scott on Sunday . The latter also come out at the inaugural ComplexCon in 2016 and was enlist as the 2024 Artistic Director for this yr ’s edition . Scott is in charge of Cactus Con , its own experiential section of the fete .
at long last , ComplexCon is about striking the good balance between Commerce Department and creativity . There ’s a stiff accent on nontextual matter and finish between all the shopping and observe .
" The whole thing itself is just a last organism at this head , " Levant aver . " But aright now , 150 per centum of my focus is on Las Vegas . "
ComplexCon It ’s even filtering outside the Convention Center outer space , teaming up with nearby Resorts World for an prescribed after - party with Travis Scott atZouknightclub . The hotel is also hosting a Rhythm and Laces solemnization of sneakers , euphony , and cigars atEight Loungeand a live bluefin tuna tuna sculpture and omakase atFuhu .
Tickets forComplexConitself commence at $ 150 and areavailable online . Doors open at 9 am ( or 7 am for VIP ) .
