Brickvention is Australia’s Premier LEGO Fan Event, and was directly responsible for me coming out of my dark ages over 12 years ago. After a year of on-again, off-again lockdowns, the team behind Brickvention have announced the 2022 event. With a new venue, timing and logo this year, a lot is changing! This year, the event has been designated an AFOL Networking Event by the LEGO Group.

The Royal Exhibition Building, home to the event from 2012 to 2020 is currently being used as a COVID-19 vaccination hub and isn’t available. So this year, the event will take place at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre (MSAC) in Albert Park, Victoria. Located on the other side of the City Centre, this venue offers a huge area for exhibiting MOCs, in an appropriately socially distanced fashion.

The timing is also a little different: rather than mid-January, it will take place much earlier in the month: after bump-in (January 6th), there is AFOL Convention Day (January 7th), followed by two days of Public Expo on the 8th and 9th of January.

[more information after the break]

The Public Expo Will Run on January 8th and 9th

The event, run entirely by volunteers, is a Covid-Safe Event, operating under the guidelines set out by the Victorian Government. There will be over 200 fan-built models on display for the entire weekend. Visitors can also expect to see National LEGO Masters stars, community cosplayers, and have a chance to engage with the builders themselves. This fantastic community show will celebrate all things LEGO, creativity and resilience through lockdowns and the international Covid-19 pandemic.

There will be a merchandise and vendor area for all your LEGO purchases.

TICKETS FOR THE PUBLIC EXPO will go on sale in November 2021.

As an affordable and enjoyable day out for the entire family, companion cards are accepted. There will also be a Special Needs session on Sunday morning, with reduced noise and crowds.

For Tickets, and to keep informed, sign up for the newsletter at Brickvention.melbourne

Applications for Exhibitors are now open.

Have you been working on a lockdown project that could make someone’s day at Brickvention 2022? Applications are open until September 20th.

Here’s the word from the organisers:

We hope you are as excited as us about being a part of history at Australia’s first AFOL Network Event (ANE). We have a few hints for people, and there will be more info as we progress through the application process. The fan event will also include workshops and presentations ( more news to follow…)

• When looking at accomodation, make sure to check cancellation policies just in case.
• If you are from interstate, please apply if you are planning on coming. If the borders become an issue, we will allow cancellations right up until days before for those that can’t make it into Victoria. 
• There are good public transport options, good parking, and the venue is within walking distance of many hotels. 
• There will be cafes on site. (We can vouch for the coffee!)
• Please give as much detail as you can of your MOC, including pictures or plans. 

To apply, click on this link to Airtable, and follow the instructions. NOTE: Each exhibit will need to be registered to a separate email address.

After a year of what feels like continuous lockdowns in Victoria, I am excited to see the plans coming into place for the first major Post Lockdown LEGO Fan Event in Melbourne. To keep up to date with the organisers’ plans, including ticket availability, be sure to follow Brickvention on Facebook or Instagram; and sign up to the newsletter at brickvention.melbourne.

Do you know someone who would love to exhibit at BV2022? Why not forward this news to them!

Are you excited for the return of major LEGO Fan events? Will you be able to get to Melbourne in early 2022 (unfortunately, there will likely be restrictions on international arrivals)? Do you have something extraordinary to show off after a prolonged lockdown? Leave your comments below, and until next time,

Play Well.