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David Spira

Room Escape Artist

David is the most influential international advocate for escape rooms and immersive games, and has been since founding Room Escape Artist with Lisa in 2014. In this role, he has spoken to many dozens of audiences of all types about escape rooms. As co-host of Reality Escape Pod (podcast), he has spoken with a cross-section of creators in this, and adjacent, industries, all of which continually shapes his perspectives on the future of this industry.

He believes that the industry needs a dedicated event for learning, challenging assumptions, and community building. In creating RECON, he applied his professional skills as a digital experience designer to his experience speaking at conferences to design an event around the needs of escape room and immersive gaming professionals.

David is most involved in programming including producing the talks, designing conversation elements such as facilitated discussions, and creating each RECON game. He empowers the RECON team and the RECON guides (volunteers) to make an exceptional event for all who attend. He is always pushing building sustainably, while trying new things and taking calculated risks so that RECON never stands still.

Upcoming Sessions

Reality Escape Pod Live

Welcome to The Reality Escape Pod, your lifeline when you need a getaway from the real world… except for tonight, because this podcast episode is recording live on stage in front of an audience. In every episode, hosts David Spira & Peih-Gee Law explore immersive gaming from all angles with a unique blend of curiosity, joy, and a deep appreciation of craft. Their interviews explore a guest creator’s philosophy, design approach, and humanity.

Tonight’s REPOD Live guest is Gijs Geers, CEO and Head of Design at DarkPark in The Netherlands. DarkPark tells stories masterfully, blending atmosphere, narrative, and puzzles to create haunting experiences.

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Past Sessions

RECON 25
BLOT

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RECON 25
Escape Rooms & Magic

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RECON 25
Day 1 Wrap Up

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RECON 25
RECON 25 Wrap Up

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RECON 23
Players & Owners: Improving Together

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RECON 20
Video Game Roots: The talk you want to attend even if you’re not a gamer

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David Spira's headshot in a gold RECON frame.

He / Him

Co-founder

Newark, New Jersey

@davidspira
david@roomescapeartist.com
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!