COLLECTORS CON FOR ALL. The second annual Eau Claire Collectors Con – slated for March 13-15 – will bring even more vendors, special guests and events to The Lismore Hotel this spring. Admission is just $5/person and is free for those ages 17 and under. (Photos by Seckora Photography)

Collectors Con 2026 is promising a bigger (and, dare we say, even better) slate of activities for its second event this March. The local con will expand in size and bring nearly triple the star power via celebrity guests.

In a media release shared Jan. 26, Collectors Con organizers announced five special guests will be at the March 13-15 event, including familiar faces from the NFL and Austin Powers’ Mindy Sterling.

Collectors Con founder Jen Ekblad said the celebrity guest panel schedule is still being finalized, though attendees can expect select availability for meet-and-greets, photos and autographs. The final itinerary plus meet-and-greet pricing will be released in February on jenuinecollectibles.com/collectors-con.

This year's celebrity guests (left to right): Chuck Foreman, Mindy Sterling, Ahman Green, Jacob Castellon, Matthew Sussman. (Submitted photos)

Last year's inaugural Collectors Con opened the door to a world of possibilities for future iterations, Ekblad said.

"The turnout exceeded anything we anticipated – we expected hundreds and ended up with thousands," she said. "Vendors wanted to sign up on the spot for the following year (and) attendees asked for an even bigger 'Con' experience ... similar to events like the Twin Cities Con." 

In addition to the three-day con's variety of vendors – including those with collectibles and items like Funko POPs and LEGO sets, sports memorabilia, trading cards, comics, plushes, VHS tapes and more – a new feature will join the fray: trading card tournaments. 

"Whether you're a seasoned collector or just getting started, there's something here for everyone."

DAN EKBLAD

CO-ORGANIZER, COLLECTORS CON

A Magic: The Gathering tournament will be organized by Clairemont Comics and begin at 5pm on Friday, March 13. The next day at noon, a Pokémon tournament will be organized by Coulee Cards & Gaming. 

Costume contests – "cosplay or collector-inspired looks" – will be divided into age groups: adult (18-plus), teenager (ages 13 to 17) and kids (ages 12 and under) and held across each of the con's three days.

“Our first year showed us just how passionate this community is,” Dan Ekblad, event co-organizer, said. “This year, we’re building on that foundation with incredible guests, more vendors and exciting new additions. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just getting started, there’s something here for everyone.”

Admission tickets can be bought at the door (via cash or card) at just $5/adult per day or $10 for the whole weekend. Event entry will be free for those ages 17 and under. 

Collectors Con is slated for March 13-15 at The Lismore Hotel (333 Gibson St., Eau Claire) • View the full Collector Con event schedule and more online at www.jenuinecollectibles.com/collectors-con • Keep up with the event for future updates on social media