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RECON 25

RECON 25 event logo with a blue penrose triangle behind a white eye.

Event Summary

Reality Escape Convention 2025 was a globally accessible, virtual gathering of escape room professionals as well as fans of the medium. This was our fourth 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.

This was also the first year that we re-ran recordings of the talks as well as the Q&As, and added additional facilitated group discussions in the middle of our night to better serve the needs of our global, timezone-distributed audience.

All of the talks are available within this archive, as is a recording of the RECON Game, the live Q&As are available exclusively through our Patreon.

Event Dates: August 17th & 18th, 2025

Location: Online

Featured Sessions

man and woman with dark blonde hair on mobile phone, over image of cartoon warehouse with shadow of a monster and a cute little ducky. Also man in orange sweater and glasses smiling.
The RECON Game

The RECON Game, BLOT:

The Bureau of Legitimate and Otherworldly Troubles

David Spira, Lyra Levin, Mark Larson, Peih-Gee Law, Yannick Trapman-O’Brien

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Narrative DesignGame DesignPuzzle DesignSet & Prop Design

Give Your Games Some Character:

Actors Not Required

Bill Sunderland, Dani Siller

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Builder / MakerSet & Prop DesignTechnical Skills

Make Stuff Fast:

Rapid Prototyping for Interactive Experiences

Lyra Levin

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FinancialBusinessOperations

Don't Get Heisted:

Fraud Prevention and Detection for Escape Rooms

Manda Whitney

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SafetyBusinessOperationsBuilder / MakerSet & Prop Design

Fire Safety Doors and Hardware:

For Escape Room Creators

Lori Greene

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HorrorGame DesignNarrative DesignIndustry TrendsPerformancePlayerRegional Spotlight

Inspiration From European Horror:

Whether You Like It or Not

Jana Erbes

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BusinessOperations

Five Star Failures:

Hard Learned Lessons on the Path to Improvement

Byron Delmonico

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MagicGame DesignNarrative DesignPlayer

Escape Rooms & Magic

David Spira, Lisa Spira

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BusinessOperationsFinancial

The Many Small Steps to Becoming Escaparium

Jonathan Driscoll

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RECON 25 title card reads, "Day 1 Wrap Up"

Day 1 Wrap Up

David Spira, Lisa Spira

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RECON 25 title card reads, "RECON 25 Wrap Up"

RECON 25 Wrap Up

David Spira, Lisa Spira

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Speakers & Special Guests

Bill Sunderland's headshot in a gold RECON frame.
Bill Sunderland
Escape This Podcast
Podcaster
Byron Delmonico's headshot in a gold RECON frame.
Byron Delmonico
The RI Riddle Room
Owner & CEO
Dani Siller's headshot in a gold RECON frame.
Dani Siller
Escape This Podcast
Podcaster
David Spira's headshot in a gold RECON frame.
David Spira
Room Escape Artist
Co-founder
Jana Erbes's headshot in a gold RECON frame.
Jana Erbes
Game Designer/ Filmmaker
Jonathan Driscoll headshot surrounded by a gold RECON frame.
Jonathan Driscoll
Escaparium
Owner
Lisa Spira's headshot in a gold RECON frame.
Lisa Spira
Room Escape Artist
Co-founder
Lori Greene's headshot in a gold RECON frame.
Lori Greene
Allegion
Manager, Codes & Resources
Lyra Levin's headshot in a gold RECON frame.
Lyra Levin
Enemies of Time
Creative Producer
Manda Whitney's headshot in a gold RECON frame.
Manda Whitney
Narrative Designer/ Certified Fraud Examiner

Production Team

Lisa Spira's headshot in a gold RECON frame.

Lisa Spira
Theresa Wagner headshot surrounded by a gold RECON frame.

Theresa Wagner
Richard Burns headshot surrounded by a gold RECON frame.

Richard Burns
Mark Larson headshot surrounded by a gold RECON frame.

Mark Larson
David Spira's headshot in a gold RECON frame.

David Spira
Heather Burns headshot surrounded by a gold RECON frame.

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

Brendan Lutz
Cindi Saiewitz headshot surrounded by a gold RECON frame.

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

Lee-Fay Low
Kate Wastl headshot surrounded by a gold RECON frame.

Kate Wastl

Hosted By

David Spira's headshot in a gold RECON frame.

David Spira
Lisa Spira's headshot in a gold RECON frame.

Lisa Spira
MC, Peih-Gee's headshot in a gold RECON frame.

Peih-Gee Law

Special Thanks To Our Guides

Andrew Reynolds
Ben Rosner
Bill Chang
Brett Kuehner
C.J. Smith
Christina Rohlf
Chuck Kaplan-Smith
Dan Egnor
Denise Kuehner
Eric Tung
Evan Broder
Jacky Chang
Jayna Shea
Jenn Saldana
Joel Dähler
Kataze
Katrina Lat
Kurtis Rohlf
Kyle Curlett
Matthew Stein
Michael Andersen
Myra Ramdenbourg
Neda Delavarpour
Nekeisha Johnson
Nora Nicklis
Paige Kasper
Peter Droste
Philip Ho
Ryan Brady
Rylee Thompson
Scott Olson
Sim Lauren
Stephen Ng
Tammy McLeod
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!