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Save $10 on each ticket purchased until February 28th, 2023
Ticket prices go up after February 28th, 2023
Welcome to the NEW International Steampunk Symposium
with your hosts, Captains Medea Asherah and Malarkey Obvious
In 2022 the doors looked to be closing forever on the dandiest Steampunk weekend event in Cincinnati, Ohio. That is, until two plucky Steampunk Captains put their heads together and decided to try their skills at running a convention. With the help of a stellar Symposium crew, many enthusiastic guests, volunteers and creatives, this annual Steampunk celebration “Under the Big Top” is sure to be the best one yet!
Founded in 2012, The International Steampunk Symposium is an annual three day festival in Cincinnati, Ohio. The weekend’s programming includes workshops, music, entertainment, exhibits, an eclectic vendor hall, and our signature event…The Steampunk Olympiad.
The Steampunk Olymiad is a series of competitions throughout the weekend that marry creativity and skill. There really is something for everyone including Nerf gun duels, Penny Farthing races, The Iron Tailor, Tea dueling, bocce ball and so much more. Games and rules are announced early so players can start building props and honing their skills for competitions.
Since 2014, the Steampunk Symposium has partnered with NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) to help them increase awareness and stop the stigma of mental illness. All ticket sales for the Olympiad games goes to support this wonderful organization, and the fact that anyone can participate in the games mirrors the inclusivity that we want to see in the world.
Make sure to mark your calendars so you don’t miss this great event! This is YOUR circus and YOUR monkeys!
Organizers
Captain Medea Asherah
Jennifer Noran
Captain Medea Asherah (she who walks above the sea) a.k.a. Jennifer Noran, has been the Captain of the Airship Caduceus out of Lexington, Kentucky since 2016. The inspiration for becoming Captain of an Airship was fueled by a friend who suggested visiting The International Steampunk Symposium in 2015, “to find out what this “steampunk business” was all about. She immediately fell in love with the clothing, competitions and camaraderie of Steampunk. Along with attending Steampunk events, she started creating logos and designs for such projects as the Kentucky Steampunk Society, The Chicago Steampunk Exposition, The Traveling Revelers, The Atlanta Steampunk Exposition, The Airship Caduceus and in 2022 for The International Steampunk Symposium. In late 2021 when it was secretly announced that the International Steampunk Symposium was going to be closing its doors after 10 years, Jennifer sprang into action. With the coercion of her soon-to-be co-convention owner Captain Malarkey Obvious, a.k.a. Michael Gruen, many meetings were held and soon both Captains found themselves the owners of a Steampunk convention! Through the International Steampunk Symposium, The Airship Caduceus crew, our fellow Steampunks and the wonderful genre that is Steampunk itself, Jennifer hopes that good deeds can be achieved, kindness and friendships can be kindled and creativity can be cultivated…all while having fun!
Captain Malarkey Obvious
Michael Gruen
Captain Malarkey Obvious a.k.a. Michael Gruen has always had a love for Steampunk but did not know how to define it while growing up. Through film, art, and literature, it became an interest for him but he was sure that it would be too difficult to “get into” Steampunk, especially in Northwest Ohio. In 2016, Michael saw what Steampunk could be while visiting a Renaissance Festival and it was the door opening to a whole new obsession and love of the aesthetic. Michael quickly forged SteamProps LLC thereafter; he started vending hand painted weapon props at comic conventions and then eventually Steampunk conventions. His first foray at a larger event was the 2018 Steampunk Symposium where he met and formed a fast friendship with his future Co-Captain Jennifer Noran. When Jennifer notified Michael the Symposium was set to end after 2022, it was suggested they team up and save the convention they both held close to their hearts. Within a short amount of time they both found themselves the Captains of this amazing event with so many fans and friends to help guide the way. Our community holds all that together, and like a hearth fire the flames rise and fall. With hope and determination, the New International Steampunk Symposium will be the warm fire to call the Steampunk Community home and the ignited flame that will burn with the passion, excitement, and fervor that we all have for the genre and this gathering of wonderful people!
Featured Guests -- To Be Announced
Olympiad
The International Steampunk Symposium Olympiad is one of the big highlights of our adventure filled weekend! Throughout the whole event guests of the convention compete in a series of games to show off their creative skills, physical prowess and quick wits. In 2023 we are excited to bring back the Olympiad at full steam, with some traditional favorites and a couple new events! So you all know what to expect and prepare for, we will also be sharing our Olympiad Rules and Regulations online, with the option to download them in booklet form.
Coming Soon!Event Schedule
Thursday, June 15
Pre-Convention Arrivals
Special Meet and Greet TBA
We'll be at - TBA
Friday, June 16
Convention Day One
Tea Stroll on The Upper Terrace
Vendor Hall Open
Opening Ceremonies
Saturday, June 17
Convention Day Two
TBA
Sunday, June 18
Convention Day Three
TBA
Subscribe
Further details coming soon.
Past Event Photos
Sponsors -- To Be Announced
Ticket Pricing
Weekend Pass
$70
All Weekend for 1 Adult 21 and Over$50
All Weekend for 1 Young Adult 13-20$30
All Weekend for 1 Child 6-12- Panels
- Fairway Games
- Entertainment
- Workshops
Friday
$30
Just Friday for 1 Adult 21 and Over$25
Just Friday for 1 Young Adult 13-20$20
Just Friday for 1 Child 6-12- Panels
- Fairway Games
- Entertainment
- Workshops
Saturday
$45
Just Saturday for 1 Adult 21 and Over$35
Just Saturday for 1 Young Adult 13-20$25
Just Saturday for 1 Child 6-12- Panels
- Fairway Games
- Entertainment
- Workshops
Sunday
$20
Just Sunday for 1 Adult 18 and OverFREE!
For father's day, anyone under 18 will get into the event free so long as they have an acompanying adult.- Panels
- Fairway Games
- Entertainment
- Workshops
Don't Forget to Book a Room!
High Tea
High Tea - $35 (limited number - pre-registration only) TICKET PRICES CAN NOT BE REFUNDED OR USED FOR FOLLOWING SYMPOSIUMS. We do allow reselling or transferring of High Tea tickets, but we do request notification for our records when the sale has occurred. Please contact us at [email protected] to let us know who the new ticket holders are. We will be having two seating sessions for High Tea. The seating space for the area can accommodate up to 45 people. Please choose which seating group you'd like to be in by clicking the preferred time below. Times for each group will be announced later as we approach the convention date.Location & Contact
- Holiday Inn Eastgate
- 4501 Eastgate Blvd,
- Cincinnati, OH 45245
- 513.752.4400
The International Steampunk Symposium
Holiday Inn Eastgate
Cincinnati, Ohio
FAQ
First of all, you should expect to have an amazing time with a bunch of fun-loving and enthusiastic convention goers.
Absolutely NOT! Quite a lot of people choose to dress up, but if that is not your thing, come in what makes you happy. If you decide that you want to start your own Steampunk wardrobe, there will be lots of vendors at the event to help you start your own costumes! This is about having fun and being comfortable in whatever you are wearing!
Convention maps will be available online and throughout the venue. We are still debating on whether we want to try a virtual program this year or not and will be reaching out to our community to see what our guests prefer.
Classes and events that require pre-registration will have sheets at the registration table for you to sign up at upon check in or when you have time to do so. Our High Tea event will have tickets available online.
Sadly, we don’t accept refunds on any ticket purchases. HOWEVER, we do allow the reselling of tickets. Please contact us at [email protected] to let us know who the new ticket holder is. At the time of registration, the new ticket holder will need to give your name at registration to release your tickets to them.
The International Steampunk Symposium is an event for all ages. If you are under the age of 13, you must have a parent or guardian attending the event with you. Because of evening parties and celebrations, a strict 21 and over policy will be implemented for party goers. This ensures that everyone will have a safe and enjoyable weekend. After our dinner break in the evening, the event will switch from family classes and events to “Steampunk After Dark.” This just means that some of the classes and events will be geared more toward adults. For example, our wonderful mixology drink classes and some of our more grown up themed panels.
See pricing on our Tickets section. Pricing includes the programming (panels, opening and closing ceremonies and dances). The only extra costs are The High Tea, passes for the Fairway games and any special classes in the makers room that require supplies. Some private room parties which are not affiliated with the convention may charge a cover to offset costs.
We are well aware that many people enjoy carrying and displaying their weapons and props. If the weapon is a toy you are more than welcome to keep it out in the open. If the weapon is based on a real gun, blade or knife we ask that you peace-bind it to a holster or sheath for the safety of you and the other guests. For the safety of others you may be asked to show your weapon to security. They are only doing their job so please respect them. We want to ensure that everyone has a safe and enjoyable event.