Meet Mark Baggett | Owner of Markster Con Productions & Events

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mark Baggett and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mark, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
One of the most important factors behind Markster Con’s success if offering safe and well-organized events for cosplayers to express themselves while socializing. Cosplay has become a huge part of many people’s lives over the past several years, including my own, and Atlanta is a true cosplay mecca. When I first started Markster Con in 2012 there weren’t that many reputable events that focused on cosplayers. That ended up being a driving force as well as a foundation for all of Markster Con events moving forward, even more so when I started incorporating talented photographers at the events that could work directly with cosplayers in attendance.

Another important factor behind the success of Markster Con and it’s unique geek-themed events is always delivering what is promised to attendees and not overlooking the small details. For those who take the time out of their lives to attend a Markster Con event it’s important that they are given a unique and worthwhile experience that leaves them wanting to return again in the future.

The quality of the event that Markster Con offers in addition to delivering on what attendees expect can not be understated. Just like any other brand or product it’s always important to make sure that the customer (i.e. attendee) is happy with what is delivered and to make sure that you offer something that is not easily found anywhere else. Markster Con is not the only event production company that specializes in geek & alternative themed events so I strive to give those who do attend one of my events a great experience they’ll not easily forget or find elsewhere.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Markster Con is a year-round event production company that specializes in adult-aged “geek & alternative” themed events with a strong dose of cosplay thrown in. I produce events that often offer an immersive environment with attendance ranging from as few as 100 people to over 1,000 people, depending on the type of production and theme. Markster Con covers a wide spectrum of events such as pub crawls, trivia nights, dance parties, photo studio parties, and online contests focusing on fandoms such as wizards, superheroes, vampires and monsters, cartoons, and fantasy as well as several others.

A consistent element that sets Markster Con events apart is it’s strong cosplay aspect. Since cosplay is a form of self-expression, it allows people to tap into their inner creative even when they may not consider themselves artistic in nature. Because of cosplay being such an important part of Markster Con events I always make sure that I have wonderful photographers on-site to help cosplayers get those much desired photos they can’t get elsewhere. With social media now being so important in many people’s lives, providing attendees those magical images via Featured Photo Ops to share and enjoy afterwards is definitely a popular and unique aspect of Markster Con events.

Another element that sets Markster Con apart is that I pay great attention to detail. I often work with freelance builders to help make my vision a reality so rarely will you find mass produced props or store purchased decorations at my events. There are others in the event production field who make promises with flashy posters and well-worded marketing materials but those events end up feeling more like a money grab, as the events are overhyped and don’t deliver. As an Event Producer one must make sure those who attend are happy. With that being said Markster Con has to deliver on what was promised, no matter whether behind the scenes the event is a financial success or failure.

Knowing that I’ve helped bring so many like-minded people together that have since formed long-lasting friendships, relationships (and for several even marriage) is probably the most rewarding aspect of all that I’ve been able to offer the Atlanta cosplay event community.

It has been a challenge to accomplish what I have with Markster Con but overall I’m happy that I decided to take that leap of faith in the beginning. It has taken a tremendous amount of personal time and energy, both mentally and physically as well as self-funding, to get Markster Con off the ground but the rewards and feelings of accomplishment have been incredible and well worth those sacrifices.

With all of that being said, unfortunately the COVID-19 Pandemic has devastated the entertainment and hospitality industry. The virus has made producing large social events impossible for almost 1.5 years. It will be a new challenge to start things back up for Markster Con but I hope that people will be excited and ready to come out to support the entertainment and hospitality industry when the time is right. I’m sure I speak for thousands of other Event Producers, venues and performers in saying that we are ready to help show the world a fun time again.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
For a friend visiting me in Atlanta here are the places I’d take them to:

— Being a fan of vintage video games myself we’d visit Joystick Gamebar (JoystickGameBar.com), a nerdy dive bar on Edgewood Ave. featuring classic arcade games, tabletop gaming, a great bar selection along with a chill atmosphere.

— Speaking of classic arcade games, if the timing was right we’d attend the annual Southern-Fried Gameroom Expo (GameATL.com) which features 250+ arcade and pinball machines (all on free play) along with vintage consoles, tabletop, RPGs, music, vendors and more. It’s truly a gamers & geeks paradise and fun for all ages. This year it’s happening a little later than usual on August 20-22 of 2021.

— If my friend visited during Labor Day weekend we’d attend Dragon Con (DragonCon.org), a massive sci-fi convention that attracts 80,000+ people from all over the world annually. I’ve been going for over 15 years and there is nothing else like it. I can best describe it as Mardi Gras meets Halloween with the cosplay element being over the top.

— If my friend didn’t have anything to wear to Dragon Con we’d drop by Costumes Etc. (CostumesEtc.com) located on Faulkner Rd. This locally owned costume/cosplay shop has a most friendly staff that is always helpful no matter what you may be looking for and their quality of fun, unique outfits can’t be matched by any other business in the Atlanta metro area.

— For the best pour of Guinness we’d visit Limerick Junction (LimerickJunction.com), Atlanta’s Oldest Irish Bar founded in 1988, in the Virginia Highland area on North Highland Avenue.

— We’d then walk up the block to Diesel Filling Station (Facebook.com/DieselFillingStation), a converted gas station that now serves as a pub/restaurant which has a nice covered patio. I’ve spent more time at Diesel Filling Station than any other pub while living in the Atlanta area as this unique pub has a geeky dive bar flair attached to it which explains why it often serves as the official registration spot for Markster Con’s pub crawls.

— If my friend likes sandwiches we’d be sure to visit the Little Five Points area and pop into The Vortex (TheVortexATL.com) for lunch and chow down on one of their legendary burgers.

— At some point during their trip we’d spend several hours at the Georgia Aquarium (GeorgiaAquarium.org) enjoying the biggest aquarium in the western hemisphere.

— To cover the nature aspect a day trip out of Atlanta to the North Georgia mountains would be implemented with maybe a stop in the Bavarian-style town of Helen (HelenGA.org).

— If the visit were to happen during the month of October we’d check out Netherworld Haunted House (FearWorld.com) but would make sure to go during the week early on during the season to avoid the massive crowds so as to not be rushed through the experience.

— At some point I may also impose my new age, spiritual vibe on my friend by bringing them along to Phoenix & Dragon (PhoenixAndDragon.com), a gem of a book and gift store in Sandy Springs which features metaphysics, aromatherapy, crystals, gemstone jewelry, psychic readings, classes and more. I’ve often gone here to browse their mind-expansive reading section to help extend my own inner thoughts and questions which help bring me back to my own inner calm I’ve often found myself seeking.

— Continuing with the spiritual vibe, if my friend doesn’t mind living minimally in a tent and leaving all negativity and judgement behind we’d head to Alchemy (AlchemyBurn.com), a “Burn” held annually in the Fall just outside of Atlanta in Chattahoochee Hills. It’s like Burning Man in Nevada but without the desert and sand storms. Alchemy is much smaller but incorporates two massive fields and still operate according to the 10 Principles of Burning Man with a “leave no trace behind” principal being at it’s foundation. The energy and positive community vibe is amazing with universal acceptance, love and creativity at it’s core.

— To round things out I’d want my friend to experience a Markster Con geek-themed pub crawl or cosplay dance party to see what Markster Con is all about since it’s so much of who I am.

So many possibilities but those are all places and events I’d like to share with a friend visiting me in Atlanta.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Markster Con would not have achieved it’s success and good reputation without the help of many volunteers and creative talents since founding in 2012. So many wonderful people have given of their time over the years by arriving early to help with load-in, or set-up and/or tear-down and load-out which often gets over looked since it’s very early in the morning. Many of those same people who stepped up to help volunteer before, during or after Markster Con events are now good friends of mine so producing these events has introduced me to some truly amazing people.

I also have to give a shoutout to the numerous photographers who’ve shared their talents by capturing amazing images of cosplayers in their creations at Markster Con events which can not be overlooked or undervalued. In addition I have to give a shoutout to the wonderful co-producers, co-hosts, performers and vendors who’ve been involved over the years.

All of these human elements have brought a uniqueness to Markster Con events which has helped create a safe and creative community that attendees and cosplayers appreciate and are drawn to.

Website: https://www.MarksterCon.com

Instagram: https://www.Instagram.com/MarksterCon

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-baggett-76200b18a

Twitter: https://Twitter.com/MarksterCon

Facebook: https://www.Facebook.com/MarksterCon

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCv87vKM0TRvsLlrVf9lz4SA

Image Credits
Workman Reflections Photography, Paul Sebastian Photography, SGH Photography, Hero Dreams Imaging, Images-By-George, Ayalas Photography, JC Barger, Tobias Roybal