written by
Scott Power

DesignerCon 2024 Hits the Jackpot: Founder Ben Goretsky Brings Art and Collectibles to Sin City [Podcast]

Podcast 4 min read

They say what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, but some secrets are too juicy to remain buried in the neon glow of the Strip. In today’s podcast episode, we dive into the exciting world of DesignerCon as it transitions from Anaheim to Las Vegas, where the art world is about to collide with the neon lights and vibrant culture of Sin City. Visionary DesignerCon founder Ben Goretsky joins host Scott “Sourdough” Power to share the inspiration behind this bold move.

Together, they explore how DesignerCon has preserved its cherished Pasadena vibes while expanding its scale and what this means for the future. You’ll also gain an insider’s perspective on this year’s event, which takes place from November 15 to 17, 2024, at The Expo at the World Market Center in Las Vegas. DesignerCon 2024 promises to be bigger and better than ever. Highlights include Kasing Lung’s first-ever appearance in the U.S., exclusive one-of-a-kind collectibles, and the introduction of the EQL system to enhance the shopping experience. With a keen eye for trends and a genuine passion for the art community, Ben continues to shape DesignerCon’s legacy as a forward-thinking institution focused on the fans who make it special. As he puts it, “It's all for the fans. It's all for me as a mega fan!” Whether you're a fan, an artist, or a collector, join us for a behind-the-scenes look at how DesignerCon is evolving and discover why attending this year's event could be your best creative investment yet.

Key Points From This Episode:

  • The inspiration behind DesignerCon’s move to Las Vegas
  • How the new venue offers the right mix of community vibes and expanded space
  • What remains the same: DesignerCon is and always will be about the fans
  • Exclusive art shows and exciting first-time appearances on U.S. soil at DesignerCon 2024
  • Key partnerships and one-of-a-kind collaborations you won’t want to miss
  • Different ways DesignerCon supports local artists and communities
  • How the new EQL system will streamline purchases of limited-edition collectibles
  • Las Vegas’ growth as an arts hub and its increasing support for the creative community
  • The support Ben’s received as a local business owner in Las Vegas
  • Acknowledgment for the talented DesignerCon team’s hard work

Quotes:

“[DesignerCon] has always been about the fans, the artists, the vendors, everybody coming together. We proved that when we moved from Pasadena to Anaheim.” — Ben Goretsky [0:14:25]

“For the first time ever, artist Kasing Lung will be present at DesignerCon. He's never done a show in the United States. A lot of people know that he's part of Kaikai Kiki Gallery, which is a gallery founded by [Takashi Murakami].” — Ben Goretsky [0:24:15]

“[Las Vegas is] very supportive of what needs to go into creating an art scene like this. That's another reason why it’s a city that we can see ourselves staying in, being part of, and [growing with] for a good amount of time.” — Ben Goretsky [0:34:38]

“It's all for the fans. It's all for me as a mega fan!” — Ben Goretsky [0:40:54]

Longer Quotes:

“When you're doing a show in one location for 12 years, you automatically think the location is the magic. It's not. The people are the magic. The fans are the magic, the artists, the vendors, the manufacturers; it's the crowd. As long as the fans are still fans and they're willing to come out to the new location, they'll understand that it's [all about them]. They're the ones that make the show great.” — Ben Goretsky [0:14:42]

“[DesignerCon] is for the love of it all. It's for the fans. I've always said the fans make the show. The show is nothing without the fans. If the fans don't show up, then the show is dead. There is no show. Yes, we may have a hall full of amazing artists, products, and vendors, but the fans make the show what it is. So, this is a call out to them: Come support. Come support your favorite artists, come support your favorite vendors, come support DesignerCon, and let's have some fun together!” — Ben Goretsky [0:41:32]

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

DesignerCon — https://www.designercon.com/

3D Retro — https://3dretro.com/

Ben Goretsky on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/bgoretsky/

DesignerCon on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/designercon/

Flatstock — https://americanposterinstitute.org/flatstock

Silver Drawing Academy — https://www.silverdrawingacademy.com/

MEDICOM TOY — https://www.medicomtoy.co.jp/

Keith Haring Foundation — https://www.haring.com/

Kasing Lung — https://www.instagram.com/kasinglung/

EQL — https://www.eql.com/

NOT REAL ART — https://www.notrealart.com/

First Friday Exhibitions — https://notrealart.com/exhibitions/

Remote Video Series – https://notrealart.com/remote-exploring-public-art/

NOT REAL ART Hotline — 833-668-7325

Scott “Sourdough” Power — https://www.notarealartist.com/

art podcast not real art podcast designercon DesignerCon 2024 Las Vegas Las Vegas art scene design convention collectible art