Get Tix!
Buy Tickets Now!

RECON 23

RECON Logo: a black and white penrose triangle behind an eye.

Event Summary

Reality Escape Convention 2023 was a globally accessible, virtual gathering of escape room professionals as well as fans of the medium. This was our third virtual convention, and the two-day event focused on well-produced talks, live Q&As, facilitated group discussions, the event exclusive RECON Game, and after-hours virtual “bars” where attendees gathered to talk shop and socialize at all hours.

With this event, the first day was strictly for professionals, with a day of facilitated discussions, and topics-based “birds of a feather” conversations. On the second day, the talks and Q&As streamed to the broader audience.

Event Dates: August 19th & 20th, 2023

Location: Online

Featured Sessions

RECON 23 title card reads, "The Shop of Theseus"
The RECON Game

The Shop of Theseus

Mark Larson

View Session
Headshots of Brittney and Anna beside the logos for TikTok and Instagram. Text reads, "Social Media for fun and business"
Marketing

The Social Media Marketing Puzzle

Anna Lysova, Brittney Coleman

View Session
A photo of a bookstore, text reads, "Only in Athens: Giant, Crazy Games"
Regional Spotlight

The Athens Escape Room Scene is Special

Dimitris Varelas

View Session
Errol looking skeptically into the camera, text reads, "If you want validation, ask your mom."
Puzzle DesignGame Design

6 Mindsets to Overcome As a Puzzle Designer

Errol Elumir

View Session
A scene of a riot from Les Mis, with Lee and Gai's photos over the faces of two characters.
Regional SpotlightGame DesignPuzzle Design

Not Another Puzzle Design Talk:

Evolving Through Designing 200+ Games

Gai Bosco, Lee Ballan

View Session
A photo of a cat's face behind ice. Text reads, "Don't Freeze the Cat!"
Industry TrendsGame DesignBusinessPlayer

Players & Owners:

Improving Together

David Spira, Lisa Spira

View Session
A photo of Dino on Survivor, holding his torch and looking exhausted. Text reads, "Trial by Financial Fire"
FinancialBusinessOperations

The Business of Fun:

Operations & Financials

Dino Paulo, Gary Kelly

View Session
An image of Chris Lukeman looking into a camera, the frame covered with words describing things that can impact the player experience.
Puzzle DesignGame DesignOperations

Adaptive Difficulty:

Strategies For Making Games That Both Newbies & Enthusiasts Will Love

Anne Lukeman, Chris Lukeman

View Session
RECON 23 title card reads, "Introduced by Neil Patrick Harris: Welcome to RECON 23!"

Introduced by Neil Patrick Harris

Welcome to RECON 23

Neil Patrick Harris

View Session

Speakers & Special Guests

RECON speaker, Anna Lysova's headshot in a gold, art deco frame with the RECON logo.
Anna Lysova
Scarlet Envelope
Game Designer
Anne's headshot framed in a golden art deco RECON frame.
Anne Lukeman
Champaign-Urbana Adventures in Time & Space
Exprience Owner
RECON speaker, Brittney Coleman's headshot in a gold, art deco frame with the RECON logo.
Brittney Coleman
Hour To Exit Escape Games
Escape Room Owner
Chris' headshot framed in a golden art deco RECON frame.
Chris Lukeman
Champaign-Urbana Adventures in Time & Space
Exprience Owner
David Spira's headshot in a gold RECON frame.
David Spira
Room Escape Artist
Co-founder
RECON speaker, Dimitris Varelas headshot in a gold, art deco frame with the RECON logo.
Dimitris Varelas
Paradox Project
Escape Room Owner
RECON speaker, Dino Paulo's headshot in a gold, art deco frame with the RECON logo.
Dino Paulo
HintHunt South Africa
Escape Room Owner & Reality TV Star
RECON speaker, Gai Bosco's headshot in a gold, art deco frame with the RECON logo.
Gai Bosco
Game Designer
RECON speaker, Gary Kelly's headshot in a gold, art deco frame with the RECON logo.
Gary Kelly
HintHunt South Africa
Escape Room Owner
RECON speaker, Lee Ballan's headshot in a gold, art deco frame with the RECON logo.
Lee Ballan
Game Designer
Lisa Spira's headshot in a gold RECON frame.
Lisa Spira
Room Escape Artist
Co-founder
Neil's headshot framed in a golden art deco RECON frame.
Neil Patrick Harris
Actor, Singer, Magician, Host, Writer, Producer, Game Designer

Production Team

Richard Burns headshot surrounded by a gold RECON frame.

Richard Burns
Kate Wastl headshot surrounded by a gold RECON frame.

Kate Wastl
Theresa Wagner headshot surrounded by a gold RECON frame.

Theresa Wagner
Lee-Fay Low headshot surrounded by a gold RECON frame.

Lee-Fay Low
Cindi Saiewitz headshot surrounded by a gold RECON frame.

Cindi Saiewitz
David Spira's headshot in a gold RECON frame.

David Spira
Brendan Lutz headshot surrounded by a gold RECON frame.

Brendan Lutz
Heather Burns headshot surrounded by a gold RECON frame.

Heather Burns
Lisa Spira's headshot in a gold RECON frame.

Lisa Spira

Hosted By

Magician and comedian Harrison's headshot in a gold RECON frame.

Harrison Greenbaum
MC, Peih-Gee's headshot in a gold RECON frame.

Peih-Gee Law

Special Thanks To Our Guides

Amanda Dupuy
Andrew Reynolds
Andria Bancheri-Lewis
Bill Chang
Brett Kuehner
C.J. Smith
Cara Mandel
Dan Egnor
Darren Miller
Denise Kuehner
Evan Broder
James Cobalt
Jenn Saldana
Jeremy Cain
Joan Spira
Kataze
Linsday Froelich
Manda Whitney
Marc Spira
Matthew Stein
Michael Andersen
Myra Ramdenbourg
Neda Delavarpour
Nora Nicklis
Paige Kasper
Peter Droste
Philip Ho
Richard Burns
Ryan Brady
Scott Olson
Shannon McDowell
Shuai Chen
Sim Lauren
Theresa Piazza
Hotel & Venue

Sheraton Laval Hotel
2440 Laurentian Autoroute, Laval, Quebec H7T 1X5, Canada

Limited Space

A limited number of discounted hotel rooms are available at the RECON 26 hotel and venue, the Sheraton Laval Hotel.

Our block of rooms on-site at The Sheraton Laval Hotel is SOLD OUT.

Luckily, we have secured a second, smaller block of rooms at Le St-Martin Hôtel & Suites. This is a 5-minute drive away from the RECON venue. If you missed out on the original room block, Le St-Martin Hôtel & Suites is our choice among the many hotels in the area. They are providing a special RECON rate of $209 CAD per night (plus taxes) that includes breakfast, wifi, and parking.

How to Book

  1. Go to the hotel website
  2. Click “English” on the top navigation menu (to make this easier)
  3. Click “Book now”
  4. Click on “Add Code”
  5. Click on the words “Discount Code” (which is a drop down menu)
  6. Click on “Group Attendee”
  7. Paste this code: 2608ROOMES
  8. Continue with selecting the dates of your stay.

You can also call the Reservations Manager Kayla’s direct line (450) 902-3007 and mention the Room Escape Artist group. If you are looking to extend your stay longer than 3 days, call Kayla, and she will honor the group rate if possible, depending on the dates of your stay.

Note that even if you stay off-site, you can park at The Sheraton Laval Hotel for free.

Book Now!