Supercon, Super Fun, Super Organized: How Chris D’Lando Channels His Inner Superhero to Keep Florida’s Biggest Fandom Party in Perfect Sync.

April 3rd, 2025

Behind the glittering panels, cosplay contests, celebrity sightings and fan-fueled energy of Florida Supercon, there’s a mastermind quietly ensuring everything runs like clockwork: Chris D’Lando, ReedPop’s Event Manager. A longtime fan turned industry insider, D’Lando curates an evolving fan experience grounded in community, connection and a lot of behind-the-scenes hustle.

“I’ve always been a comic convention guy,” D’Lando shared. His passion didn’t start with logistics and spreadsheets, but with storytelling and fandom itself. Before joining ReedPop, he spent years at Marvel Comics, managing booths and learning the ins and outs of comic convention culture firsthand. That natural progression led him to ReedPop, where he worked his way up from programming panels to conducting the intricate symphony of a massive fan event. “I’m fortunate enough to get to make fun for other people,” he added.

And for D’Lando, making fun means a whole lot more than booking guests or organizing panels. It means understanding a sprawling, multi-interest crowd that’s as diverse as pop culture itself. “Some people come for cosplay, some for celebrities, some for comics,” he explained. “We try our best to service all of them and build something that a fan of anything could enjoy.”

What sets Florida Supercon apart isn’t just its location, it’s the personality of its city. Miami, D’Lando said, adds its own flair to the event. “Miami loves to party,” he laughed. “Fans don’t show up at 9 a.m. sharp like they do at New York Comic Con. They mosey in around noon, but they want to stay until 1 in the morning.” That means more late-night programming, more parties, more karaoke and after-dark panels, gaming and activities that feel uniquely Floridian.

But it’s not just the vibe that’s different, it’s the approach. ReedPop’s secret sauce? Data. “My Doctor Strange powers on this show are data. Just lots and lots of data,” D’Lando said. Immediately after the event wraps, the team sends out detailed post-show surveys. Those responses are pored over for months and guide everything from guest booking to panel themes. “Our work on Florida Supercon starts the morning after the show ends,” he noted.

It’s a year-round process supported by a dedicated team of 40 to 50 full-time staff and a small army of on-site contractors. “We’ve got teams that handle everything: panels, celebrity guests, show floor logistics, exhibitors, vendors, and marketing. I’m like a train conductor in a lot of ways,” D’Lando explained. And with so many moving parts, flexibility is key. “You can never anticipate everything, whether it’s man-made issues or acts of God. You’ve got to be nimble.”

Even with all the planning in the world, fans always find ways to surprise him. When asked about the most unexpected request he’s ever received, D’Lando didn’t flinch. “Nothing surprises me anymore. Everyone is a fan of something. Pop culture is culture.” He cited a favorite example: the intense, rapidly organized fandom around Our Flag Means Death, an offbeat, LGBTQ+ friendly pirate comedy that drew fans from across the globe. “We had people flying in just to meet those guests. A couple even proposed marriage at a panel,” he said. “That’s the kind of passion that shows us what pockets of fandom we haven’t fully tapped into yet.”

While D’Lando isn’t the one personally booking talent, he’s deeply involved in guiding those choices. “My dream guest might not be what the fans want. You’ve got to prioritize what’s going to bring people in,” he said. Florida Supercon is still in the early stages of its guest reveal cycle, but D’Lando promised a strong lineup this year, one that reflects the growing interest in video game casts and unique ensemble appearances rather than just traditional comic or superhero stars. “We’ve seen a real shift in recent years. Tastes are always changing,” he said. “What Gen Z wants isn’t always what millennials want or what parents are hoping to introduce their kids to.”

As digital fandom grows, D’Lando remains convinced there’s no replacement for real-life, in-person community. “You can’t replicate the face-to-face connection of a show like this,” he said. “There are people who only see their friends once a year at a convention. These events let everyone come together and be completely themselves, free of judgment.”

Asked what he’d do if money were no object, D’Lando leaned into his love for classic theme parks. “Not even a roller coaster,” he mused. “I’d build a slow-moving boat ride with old-school, clackity animatronics. Like one of those old Disney rides where nothing moves quite right. That’s what I want.”

But for all the fantasy and spectacle, D’Lando’s favorite moment is grounded in something simple and deeply human. “It’s the fans. Seeing someone light up because they just met a guest or got a comic signed, that gives me the serotonin I used to feel when I was that fan. That’s what keeps me going.”

For those ready to dive into the experience, D’Lando offered a few key survival tips: wear comfortable shoes, bring a reusable water bottle and download the official app when it goes live. “It’ll have everything: schedules, vendor maps, FAQs. It’s your one-stop shop.”

Florida Supercon returns this July, and if the passion and planning Chris D’Lando pours into the event are any indication, fans are in for another unforgettable ride. Tickets and updates are available at FloridaSupercon.com. Keep an eye out as there are still plenty of surprises to come.