The first Pokoee Card & Gaming Expo was held on July 19, 2026, at the Lakeshore Center in Ocoee, Florida, and it turned out to be a fun way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
I was able to spend about three hours at the event, and the aisles stayed busy the entire time. There was a constant flow of people walking from booth to booth looking through trading cards, comics, video games, collectibles, artwork, and gaming supplies. Every time I made another trip around the room, I noticed something that I had missed before.
One of the biggest highlights of the show was the vendor selection. Instead of seeing the same inventory over and over, there was a nice mix of Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering, sports cards, comics, tabletop games, retro video games, gaming accessories, artwork, handmade items, and plenty of other collectibles. It gave attendees a lot to browse, whether they were serious collectors or simply looking for something interesting to take home.
The event also featured a strong lineup of guests. Fantasy author Richard Lee Byers, known for his work in the Forgotten Realms and Dungeons & Dragons universe, spent the day meeting readers and signing books. Illustrator Jason Queen showcased his work for Marvel and Star Wars Topps Chrome trading cards, while Michael Phillippi, whose artwork has appeared in Magic: The Gathering and Warhammer 40,000, met with fans throughout the afternoon.
Making their way around the show floor were Pikabellachu and the Pikabug, who quickly became favorites with attendees looking to snap a photo. They added a little extra energy to the event and always seemed to have people gathered around them.
For a first-time event, Pokoee Card & Gaming Expo got off to a solid start. The crowd stayed active while I was there, vendors always seemed to have visitors at their tables, and there was enough variety that the show never felt repetitive. It’ll be interesting to see how the event grows in the future, but based on what I saw, it has a bright future. The show was pretty Stellar.
Johnny Stellar
I spend my days buried in comic books, my nights lost in music, and somewhere in between, I find time to write about both.
