This past weekend, my wife, Mary Catherine, and I enjoyed a staycation up in Atlanta, high atop the 65th floor of the Westin Peachtree Plaza hotel. For some, Labor Day weekend means football. For others, it means time at the lake in front of a grill. For us, it means Dragon Con! I think every Atlantan needs to attend Dragon Con at least once, but for us, it’s a regular ritual. In fact, Dragon Con neatly coincides with our wedding anniversary in a few weeks. What better way to celebrate love than at Dragon Con, right ladies?
The view looking south from our Dragon Con hotel room on the 65th floor of the Westin Peachtree Plaza. Photo/Joe Domaleski
So what is it? Dragon Con is a large multi-genre convention held annually in Atlanta, Georgia, during Labor Day weekend and takes over most of the downtown Atlanta hotel district. It began in 1987, has grown to over 70,000 attendees, and has become one of the largest pop culture conventions in the United States. Dragon Con covers a wide range of genres, including science fiction, fantasy, gaming, comics, literature, art, music, and film. Events include costuming, panels, celebrities, art shows, live events, dealer halls, and the annual Saturday morning parade down Peachtree Street. We’ve been going since 2004, when our kids were little. Even though they’re all grown and out of the house, we still like to attend.
Attending Dragon Con is like going back home and being surrounded by a sea of fellow fans, cosplayers, and pop culture enthusiasts. As a member of Generation X, I grew up on Star Trek, Star Wars, and arcade games. All of that and more happens at Dragon Con. Events take place pretty much 24 hours a day during the five official days of the convention. As middle-aged attendees, we didn’t quite have the stamina to attend the all-night parties, but we still made the most of our time (and energy levels). There’s something really magical about being with so many people with diverse interests that share a common goal of having fun. It turns out, Dragon Con is more than just a weekend escape. Dragon Con is an example that play, creativity, and having a good time are just as important now as they were when we were kids. Let’s explore the importance of all that from a middle-aged geek’s perspective.
Rediscovering the Fun in Play
One of the first things that impresses me at Dragon Con is the sheer joy of it all. Everywhere you look, there are people having fun and playing. From the elaborate costumes to the random dance-offs in the hotel lobbies, everyone is having a great time. For those of us juggling work, family, and life’s never-ending to-do list, play often feels like something we simply don’t have time to enjoy. But being at Dragon Con reminds me that play isn’t just for kids. Fun and play are necessary parts of life, no matter how many candles were on your last birthday cake.
My wife Mary Catherine as Cruella de Vil with our dog Loki and me in front of the Georgia Aquarium at Dragon Con 2024. Photo/Joe Domaleski
At Dragon Con, play is the name of the game. Whether you’re dressing up as your favorite character or just people-watching, you’re encouraged to let loose and have fun. And this kind of play isn’t just about blowing off steam; it’s about recharging your batteries and reconnecting with that part of yourself that still knows how to be carefree. Trust me, that’s something we all need more of—including me.
Creativity: It Doesn’t Get Old
Another thing Dragon Con reminds me of is that creativity doesn’t have an expiration date. Walking around, I was blown away by the sheer talent on display—from the meticulously crafted costumes to the original artwork and fan fiction. It’s proof that creativity doesn’t fade with age; if anything, it gets richer.
As we get older, our creative outlets might change, but that doesn’t mean we stop being creative. Whether you’re writing, building, designing, or just appreciating the work of others, Dragon Con shows us that there’s no age limit on imagination. Engaging in creative activities—especially in a place as inspiring as Dragon Con—can reignite passions we may have put on the back burner and remind us that it’s never too late to create something new.
Finding Your Tribe
One of the things I love most about Dragon Con is the sense of community. People from all walks of life come together, united by their shared love for a particular show, book, or game. It’s a very tangible reminder that no matter how different we may seem, there’s always something that can bring us together.
Celebrating our 30th Wedding Anniversary during Dragon Con with a dinner at the iconic Polaris Restaurant and Lounge high atop the Hyatt Regency Atlanta. Photo/Joe Domaleski
For those of us who’ve been around the block a few times, this sense of community can be a load of fun. Oftentimes, when I’m with groups of people in the local community, there’s a lot of networking going on—people are either asking me questions and trying to meet me for business purposes, or I’m doing the same thing. Don’t get me wrong, I love our community and enjoy networking, but sometimes it’s fun to be with people without a specific goal in mind. Events like Dragon Con show us that we’re part of something bigger—a network of people who get it, who share our interests and passions. Connecting with others who share our enthusiasm can be incredibly validating and up-lifting.
Learning New Things
Over the years, Dragon Con has become much more than just a gathering for science fiction and fantasy enthusiasts. The convention has expanded to offer a wide array of tracks that delve into science fact, providing attendees with opportunities to explore topics involving technology, robotics, astronomy, physics, and more. These tracks attract experts from various fields, including leading researchers, academics, and industry professionals, who share their knowledge and insights through panels, workshops, and discussions. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just curious about these subjects, Dragon Con offers a unique platform to engage with complex scientific concepts in an accessible and often entertaining way. What’s really fun is that many of these experts are also fellow geeks and dress up in costumes. Often they’ll make points by using pop cultural references, which makes the learning fun.
Hampocalypse – amateur (ham) radio panel at Dragon Con 2024. I was the moderator (far right seated at the table) and Mary Catherine was also a panelist (second from the left). Photo/Jonathan Sarge
During this past weekend, I had the privilege of participating in a panel discussion on Artificial Intelligence with a group of PhD researchers and academics. The discussion was not only enlightening but also highlighted the real-world implications and ethical considerations of AI. The panel featured researchers who talked about AI in robotics, drug trials, physics, and even marketing data science (my favorite topic). On Saturday, I had the opportunity to moderate a panel on amateur (ham) radio, cleverly titled “Hampocalypse.” This session focused on the equipment and methods used to communicate in post-apocalyptic disaster scenarios—a topic that blends practical knowledge with a bit of speculative fun. The discussion covered everything from the basics of setting up a ham radio station to more advanced topics like emergency preparedness and survival communication strategies. These experiences at Dragon Con help foster learning and dialogue across a wide spectrum of interests that caters to both the imagination and the intellect.
Why Leaders Should Take Play Seriously
As someone who’s juggling a few different roles—family man, professional, teacher, student, community leader—I’ve thought a lot about the role of play in leadership. Dragon Con reinforced what I’ve long believed: that play isn’t just a break from the serious stuff; it’s an integral part of it. For leaders, engaging in playful activities can spark new ideas, boost creativity, and build stronger, more cohesive teams. Creative people need playtime regardless of their age.
Mary Catherine sitting along Peachtree Street at the Dragon Con parade with our dog Loki. He’s wearing his Demogorgon Dog costume from the TV show Stranger Things. Photo/Joe Domaleski
Taking time to play, whether at an event like Dragon Con or in smaller, everyday ways, can make us better leaders. It opens our minds to new possibilities, reduces stress, and helps us approach challenges with a fresh perspective. It’s also a chance to pursue interests with no specific goal or aim other than to have fun. Within reason, it’s also a chance to enjoy things and not care what anybody else thinks. As we grow older, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that play is for kids, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Play is for everyone, and it’s especially important for those of us who tend to take life too seriously or think everything has to be in furtherance of a goal.
Conclusion: Embracing Your Inner Geek
Seeing everyone at Dragon Con reminded me that we all have a bit of geek in us, no matter our age or interests. Embracing that geek, indulging in play, and nurturing our creativity is a vital part of living a balanced, fulfilling life. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or just dipping your toes into the world of fandom, Dragon Con offers a chance to step outside the everyday and into a world where imagination is celebrated.
Here’s to all the geeks out there, especially those of us who’ve been around the block a few times. We know that life becomes richer and more meaningful when we make time to play. Whether it’s attending conventions, crafting costumes, or just enjoying your favorite sci-fi show, it’s important to remember that fun isn’t just for kids—it’s for everyone. And now that Labor Day has passed, Halloween is right around the corner. Have you thought about what you’ll dress up as this year?
[Joe Domaleski, a Fayette County resident for 25+ years, is the owner of Country Fried Creative – an award-winning digital marketing agency located in Peachtree City. His company was the Fayette Chamber’s 2021 Small Business of the Year. Joe is a husband, father of three grown children, and proud Army veteran. He has an MBA from Georgia State University and enjoys sharing his perspectives drawing from thirty years of business leadership experience. Joe is a recipient of the Peachtree City Rotary Club Business Leader of the Year Award for 2024. Sign up for the Country Fried Creative newsletter to get marketing and business articles directly in your inbox. You can connect with Joe directly on LinkedIn or follow his new blog Marketing Data Science for more insights and updates.]