Camp Fundays! Funko was one of the first companies I worked with when I started my job at my current employer - they grew from a little 10x10 booth to a small city. They did well. They also put on a big "thank you" show for fans - and charge accordingly - called Funko Fundays. This year's theme was Camp Fundays, and they handed you a bag of food (with what I have to say is the lowest-budget sandwich I've been offered at any job I've ever had), a drink token, and a sack of toys with a poster. And throughout the night, they just kept handing out more toys. And a compass. And more toys.
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Numerous new Pop! figures were introduced like Stranger Things, Dungeons & Dragons, House of the Dragon, One Piece, and lots more you can see below. It's the kind of thing you wish other toy companies might consider copying - you're being given snacks and shown new product reveals while being handed exclusive toys all night long between some amusing-but-corny comedy sketches.
With the SAG/AFTRA and WGA strikes, a lot of famous faces weren't at the show this year - but they did bring out Gabriel Iglesias, AJ McLean, and Cory Feldman out to promote their new exclusive figures. And hand out even more exclusive variants to a few random lucky winners.
I've been to trade shows, trade events, presentations, and all sorts of toy industry stuff and I can say this one seems to be one of the best things I ever get to experience. The food was historically amazing - dessert platters, tables of entrees and snacks, etc. - so they could maybe do something else next year. But as far as taking a seat out by the water and seeing new toys while goofballs scream their heads off, I can't think of a better way to finish up a business trip.
--Adam Pawlus
