Daily Inspiration: Meet 221B Con

Today we’d like to introduce you to 221B Con.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
221B Con began in 2013 during the height of BBC Sherlock, with four friends at a multi media convention who thought it would be a great idea to start their own convention. The first 221B Con hosted around 700 people. We are the largest Sherlock Holmes media convention in the world.

The goal of 221B Con has always been to be open and inclusive to everyone who shares the love of Sherlock Holmes in all of his forms. Over the years the convention has expanded to other forms of media as well: Hazbin Hotel, Good Omens, Our Flag Means Death, to name a few. Still, we largely are a Sherlock Holmes fandom.

We’re in our 13th year of this convention!

221B Con has been and will always be an open, friendly and inclusive convention. We are queer friendly, and open to everyone regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, gender, and abilities. As long as there are fans of Sherlock Holmes and variations in the media, this year we have been given CBS Watson, Young Sherlock Holmes on Amazon, as well as the CW’s Sherlock & Daughter and the Sherlock and Co. podcast, 221B Con will endeavor to remain an open and welcoming place for all fans and followers.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
In 2024, the remaining original beekeepers (the co-directors) of 221B Con, Crystal Noll and Heather Holloway, felt that the convention has run its course. 2025 would possibly be the last year.
The bees ( what the convention goers who return every year are called) wanted to continue.
In 2025, the original directors handed over the reins to two new directors, Johanna Draper Carlson and Heather Hinson.

Another change is the convention went from an LLC to a 501(c)(3) non profit entity focused on education through literature and media literacy.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
221B Con is a great time. Our mission is to entertain and educate people through the works of Sir Author Conan Doyle. To support literacy, education, and media literacy. We support the Beacon Society who supports teachers, libraries, children’s museums, and children’s theaters with local resources to bring the magic of Sherlock Holmes to life. The convention runs from Friday afternoon to Sunday evening. The unofficial convention begins on Thursday and carries on until late Sunday evening.
We have an unofficial group that has expanded from the convention, the 221st Southumberland Waffleers who visit the Waffle House every year. What sets us apart from other Sherlockian conferences is that we have multiple tracks in different rooms in a casual convention setting. We compliment the other Sherlockian conferences perfectly.
Within the convention weekend, we also host a karaoke night and a Prom, a Saturday evening dance.

Pricing:

• Weekend: $60
• Friday: $45
• Saturday: $60
• Sunday: $35
• At Door: $65

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.221bcon.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/221bconofficial/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/221bcon
• Twitter: https://x.com/221bcon
• Other: https://bsky.app/profile/221bcon.bsky.social