BotCon
BotCon, previously known as the Official Transformers Collectors' Convention, is an annual convention for fans and collectors of the Transformers multimedia franchise and related merchandise.
The first BotCon was held in Fort Wayne, Indiana, United States in 1994. It has 120 attendees. In 2015, BotCon was recognized by Guinness World Records as the "longest-running Transformers convention".
Featured BotCon guests are usually involved in the creation of Transformers media in some respect, whether as voice actors from the animated series, artists or writers from the comic books, or Hasbro employees. Fun Publications held the convention for a number of years, with 2016 being its final year. BotCon remained defunct until returning in 2022.
BotCon has had numerous event-exclusive toys, including the first version of the character Apelinq. Apelinq debuted at BotCon 2000 and was designed by organizer Glen Hallit. The character would later appear in the 2023 film Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.
Event history
BotCon
BotCon Japan
BotCon Europe
Official Transformers Collectors Convention
BotCon was renamed the Official Transformers Collectors Convention in 2003 after organizers Jon Hartman and Karl Hartman had departed 3H Productions.| Year | Date | Venue | City | Guests | Notes |
| 2003 | July 25-July 27 | Hyatt Regency O'Hare | Rosemont, Illinois | Vince DiCola, Gregg Berger, Garry Chalk, David Kaye, Josh Blaylock, Mike Norton, Clayton Brown, Mark Brooks, Simon Furman, Jerry Jivoin, Eric Siebenaler, and Aaron Archer | |
| 2004 | July 31-August 1 | Donald E. Stephens Convention Center | Rosemont, Illinois | Michael McConnohie, Dan Gilvezan, Scott McNeil, Bob Budiansky, Simon Furman, Andrew Wildman, Vince DiCola, Greg Lombardo, Aaron Archer, Eric Siebenaler, and Tony Beard | This would be the last convention organized by 3H Productions before filing for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy. |