CrimeCon 2024 Review: Wrap Up

I have returned from a packed weekend at CrimeCon 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee. Outside of the speakers, creators, and exhibitors, 5,300 people descended upon Nashville to take in the con this weekend. That’s a lot of true crime fans!

But then again, after seeing the full schedule of the weekend, I think that the con had a lot to offer people no matter what their level of fandom in the true crime world. Panels, forensic demonstrations, interactive exhibits, meet and greets, podcast recordings, vendors, and more. However, as I have mentioned before, the panels, exhibitors, and creators all supported the CrimeCon mission of respect that the organizers not only tout, but work to ensure at every turn.

I think there is one thing they can do to take that respect to the next level and that is to have someone vetting the questions the audience steps up to ask during the Q & A period in the panels. As an attendee of a lot of other cons where this is common practice (even at comic conventions), I was surprised that it was not in place at a convention where such delicate and challenging subjects are being discussed. While I did not experience anyone being disrespectful in the panels I attended, I spoke to other attendees who did.

I also think that having staff at the Q & A mics would help clear up the confusion for some of the speakers who did not know where the mics were located in the room and which way to direct their attention during this portion.

As someone who has planned and executed a lot of events, I know there are always challenges and hiccups that the attendees never see. Which of course is what you hope for. And I must say that from my perspective the weekend ran very smoothly and was very well organized. While it took me (and I’m sure others) a little bit of time to get down the lay of the land of the Opryland Resort, once I did, moving from space to space was very easy and pretty efficient. But I definitely got my steps in this weekend.

Part of the people who deserve a special shout out to helping things run smoothly are all of the volunteers who gave their time to helping out at CrimeCon. I did not encounter a single unfriendly or unhelpful volunteer. And as someone who has been to a lot of different kinds of cons, I cannot say that this has always been the experience. So thank you to all those in yellow shirts this weekend who helped make the experience a great one!

And I guess this shouldn’t come as a surprise, but CrimeCon also had really good security, both obvious and not so obvious. Things definitely felt safe and secure the entire weekend which was really nice. Plus, I learned that some of the working service dogs in attendance at CrimeCon not only can help with various visible and invisible disabilities, but that they can also offer personal protection. So I really feel like the organizers understand my call of “Watch Dateline; don’t end up on Dateline.”

Aside from the scheduled meet and greets with creators and speakers, many of the true-crime celebrities were accessible to fans as they walked around the convention. This accessibility is definitely something that keeps these fans coming back. I spoke to a number of attendees who shared their stories of how important it was for them to meet these true crime crusaders and how much those meetings meant to them.

Overall, I had a great time at the convention this weekend and had the opportunity to meet a lot of wonderful folks as well. I feel fortunate that I found so many interesting panels to choose from and attend. And one of my favorite things was meeting with and connecting with so many great organizations doing really important work in both the spaces or criminal justice and social justice. You can read and view (on Instagram) my other CrimeCon coverage to learn more about some of those organizations like the Black and Missing Foundation and NAMUS. I think my only coverage wish is that as media I had been able to peek into the VIP and separate ticketed events. Those are the only things I cannot report on for you all. But that aside, CrimeCon is great convention and one I hope to be able to cover for you all again next year when the convention heads to the Mile High City of Denver.

If you want to start planning now, mark your calendars for September 5-7, 2025. You can find out more information about this year’s CrimeCon at their website and sign up for their email list.