BravoCon Is America’s Most Fun-Loving, Inclusive, and Boozy Fan Fest Celebrating All Things Reality TV

By Terry Terrones  |  November 7, 2023 | 11:25am
Photos Courtesy of Terry Terrones and Bravo
TV Features Reality Tv
BravoCon Is America’s Most Fun-Loving, Inclusive, and Boozy Fan Fest Celebrating All Things Reality TV

Laughter. That’s the most common sound I heard while attending BravoCon 2023 at the Caesar’s Forum in Las Vegas last weekend. 

While drama is always high among Bravo TV show cast members on screen, the opposite is true for attendees of the three-day BravoCon event. The only tea being spilled in Las Vegas was at panels, which were packed with fans enjoying the antics of their favorite reality TV stars. 

When not laughing, the Bravo faithful were drinking in every inch of America’s most fun-loving, inclusive, and boozy fan fest. 

To be honest, despite being a Bravo fan, I wasn’t exactly sure what I was getting myself into when I decided to attend this year’s BravoCon. My wife watches more Bravo shows than I do, so I wasn’t sure I would be able to keep track of who’s who. I also don’t fit into Bravo’s usual demographic, which is primarily women and gay men. Walking around the event, I didn’t see a lot of other middle-aged, Hispanic guys. In fact, I think I might have been the only one.

Adding to my trepidation was BravoCon’s enigmatic history. The first two events, in 2019 and 2022, were held in New York City. A COVID hiatus and a brand new venue and city gave BravoCon attendees that I talked to the morning of Day 1 a sense of excitement but also uncertainty.

“I hope the fans that come here make new friends, it’s like the greatest destination wedding you’ll ever go to and I hope they get to meet and see everybody they want to see,” said the face of Bravo, Andy Cohen. “BravoCon is a really happy place.” 

I talked to Andy on the morning of the first day of the con and he turned out to be 100% correct. BravoCon is a happy place because it does a better job than any con I’ve ever been to of catering to its guests. 

Make no mistake, BravoCon has all the trappings of a regular fan fest. There’s plenty of panels, with several moderated by actors and Bravo superfans Jerry O’Connell and Michael Rapaport (who asked hard hitting questions such as “Who gives off the most BDE?” and “What are some of the craziest DMs you’ve received?”). You can pay to take a professional picture with your favorite bravolebrity (a person famous for being on a Bravo reality TV show). There is also a ton of merch for purchase. 

As someone who has attended San Diego Comic Con and multiple Denver Comic Cons, I can attest this is par for the con course. What makes BravoCon unique is that it’s also keenly aware of its own brand. 

There are fun photo ops galore. If you want to take a picture at a bar that looks exactly like the one on Watch What Happens Live, you can do just that. Do you want to recreate Teresa Giudice’s table flipping scene from The Real Housewives of New Jersey? No problem. BravoCon has its tongue so firmly in cheek that you can see Orange County housewife Tamra Judge’s breast implants encased in glass like they belong in the Smithsonian while on your way to filming your own Real Housewives introduction video.  

BravoCon also does a good job of pampering you. A Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip-themed booth offers free messages. You could get your hair glammed up at no cost at the SharkBeauty sponsored salon. And Jake from State Farm was in attendance for photo ops and to help you make BravoCon bracelets, which you could stow in your State Farm themed jewelry box, also gratis. 

Branded and sponsored content is everywhere. While walking around BravoCon, I was given free socks (sponsored by Freevee), a free makeup bag (State Farm), a free cheese board (DoorDash), and purchased a few items while at the massive Bravo Bazaar that sells merch from bravolebrities. While this commercialism might turn some people off, attendees couldn’t care less. BravoCon is just more upfront with its self-promotion and consumerism than most cons. It’s all par for the course, just Bravo being Bravo.

Something else Bravo fans expect? A stiff drink. There were bars in almost every corner of every ballroom. There was one location in the bazaar that had three bars all within 50 feet of each other. This is completely on brand. Bravo is all about having a good time and usually that’s by having a drink and doing some shopping. 

While having a cocktail, taking pics, and shopping are fun, BravoCon’s biggest draw is its bravolebrities, who are far more accessible and relatable than guests at a regular con. 

“You guys make us feel like rockstars, but we’re just normal people,” said Glenn Shephard during a panel featuring Below Deck captains. That was a statement echoed by almost every bravolebrity I spoke with. Words like “flattering,” “humbling,” and “grateful” were frequently used by Bravo reality stars, and that was reflected in their interactions with fans. This makes sense. After all, a vast majority of them are regular people who just happen to be on a reality show. 

The people Bravo fans adore on TV are clearly not actors. Just sitting in for a panel, where everyone on stage has a bad habit of constantly talking over each other, makes it obvious that these are not trained performers. Their interactions with fans make it even more clear, as a bravolebrity is almost always as happy to see you as you are them. A Bravo cast member’s gift is naturally being who they are on camera, and Bravo fans love them for it. It’s a win-win situation for all involved. 

While a ton of fun, BravoCon isn’t all shotskis and gay shark dance parties. Lines at BravoCon 2023 were long at times and deep pockets were required to attend. A one-day pass sold for $250 for general admission or $475 for VIP, while a three-day pass set visitors back $550 (GA) or $1,200 (VIP). Those prices also don’t include any add-on experiences, which cost hundreds more. BravoCon isn’t for the faint of heart, or checkbook—not that anyone in attendance seemed to mind.

On Saturday, the second day of BravoCon, I sat down to take a break after purchasing some souvenirs at the Bravo Bazaar. I was resting after walking the countless miles you walk at any con when I noticed a recurring sound. Laughter was coming from all different parts of the ballroom. Everywhere I looked, BravoCon attendees were having a great time. Smiles were easy to find and the enthusiasm from everyone was infectious. 

While I’m certainly not the typical Bravo fan, the friendliness of the other guests, the hospitality of the bravolebrities I met, and the playfulness of the event couldn’t have been more enticing. After only a day and a half, BravoCon had become one of the most fun fan events I’ve ever been to because it does exactly what a good bravolebrity does, stays true to itself. 

Terry Terrones is a Television Critics Association and Critics Choice Association member, licensed drone pilot, and aspiring hand model. When he’s not regretting being a yachtie in his youth, you can find him hiking in the mountains of Colorado. You can follow him on Twitter @terryterrones.

For all the latest TV news, reviews, lists and features, follow @Paste_TV.

 
Join the discussion...