George Brown Polytechnic is located on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and other Indigenous peoples who have lived here over time. We are grateful to share this land as treaty people who learn, work and live in the community with each other.
From aspiring designers and digital storytellers to passionate gamers, artists and creators, thousands of guests stopped by George Brown Polytechnic's booth at Fan Expo Canada 2026 to discover how their interests could become future careers.
Held August 27 to 30 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Fan Expo Canada welcomed nearly 135,000 fans, making it Canada's largest pop culture convention and one of the largest events of its kind in North America. Against a backdrop of comics, gaming, anime, sci-fi and entertainment culture, George Brown showcased the creative possibilities that come with a hands-on, industry-focused education.
Throughout the four-day event, the George Brown team connected with prospective students, families and guests, generating over 1,100 leads and fostering meaningful conversations about programs, career pathways and opportunities across the institution.
George Brown talent and tech take centre stage
One of the biggest draws at the George Brown booth was the impressive LED wall activation, which offered visitors the chance to step in front of professional-grade virtual production technology used in classrooms and pose for photos against immersive digital environments.
The experience showcased original concept artwork by School of Media and Performing Arts students Lizzy Mikulich and Jayleen Hong, highlighting the creativity and technical skills students develop in their programs.
More than just a photo opportunity, attendees got a firsthand look at the same technology used in film, television, and digital production environments that George Brown students learn with, bringing classroom learning to life on the convention floor.
Visitors also had the opportunity to meet with expert faculty, staff, and recruitment representatives, ask questions about admissions, and explore how programs in design, media, theatre, dance, fashion, jewellery, and other disciplines can help transform passion into a profession.
Meeting future students where their passions already live
For George Brown, Fan Expo is an opportunity to connect directly with future learners in a space where creativity, innovation and community naturally come together.
"Participating in Fan Expo is essential for staying connected to Toronto's vibrant arts and entertainment community," said Ramon Delgado, Professor and Program Co-ordinator in the School of Media and Performing Arts. "Fan Expo draws a brilliantly diverse crowd, making it a crucial touchpoint for all our programs. Whether attendees are ready to apply today or are high schoolers dreaming about their future careers, we want to be there to guide them.”
Trent Scherer, Associate Dean of the School of Design and School of Media & Performing Arts, noted the importance of showcasing student creativity in an environment filled with passionate fans and emerging creators.
"Fan Expo is where imagination takes centre stage. It's the perfect place to show how our students turn ideas into experiences, whether through design, digital media, storytelling, emerging technologies, or fashion and jewellery. Events like this help future students see what's possible when their creativity is paired with hands-on learning and industry-relevant skills."
Turning passion into possibility
As fans explored new worlds, met their favourite creators and celebrated the stories they love, George Brown demonstrated how those same interests can lead to rewarding educational and career opportunities.
By bringing student work, industry-standard technology and expert faculty to one of Canada's most vibrant pop culture events, George Brown showcased its commitment to preparing the next generation of creators, innovators and problem-solvers.
