TwitchCon AMS 2022 Takeaways
After two years of pandemic silence, TwitchCon has returned in 2022-- and Player 2 counts themselves among the attendees! I (Jordanne) was lucky enough to make my way to Amsterdam a couple weeks ago to check it out. I’ve attended TwitchCons in California before (‘18 and ‘19!), but jumped at the chance to see the EU show this time around.
Sadly, the summertime airport craziness meant my flights got delayed by an entire day, so I missed a good chunk of the ‘con… but what I did get to see was an international celebration of the gaming, creator and esports culture that boomed while in-person events were on pause.
From the moment I stepped inside the ‘con, the energy was dialed up to 100 with energetic DJ sets in the main hall, and lines spilling out of the doors for Twitch Rivals shows and meet n’ greets (“Queen Poki” herself was one of the dozens of Twitch-famous folks in attendance).
There were two stories that kept coming up in my conversations at this TwitchCon. The first was with previous attendees saying that this year felt “smaller, but in a good way” compared to pre-Covid ‘cons (which was similar to the feedback we heard at VidCon this year, too).
The second was with friend groups who’d come by planes and trains from all over the continent to see each other for the first time in years.
As both a fan and someone who works “in the business,” I was curious to see what sorts of brands would be represented this year-- and what they were doing to grab the attention of attendees. Here’s what I found in the expo hall:
Same old brands, brand new fun
Of course, there were all the names you’d expect to see in a gaming-centric expo: your PC builders, peripheral sellers, streaming third-party tools and the like. But this wasn’t any average array of booths: for example, Razer had utilized their space to set up a mechanical bull pit, and challenged passers-by to hang on tight for a chance to win some Razer swag.
Camera-ready photo ops
Whether you’re a streamer or a fan, everyone wants to get that picture-perfect moment at TwitchCon. To that end, the makeup brand NYX had a considerably massive space set up, filled with artists offering makeovers and touch-ups. Naturally, they also had bright white lights and an Insta-worthy backdrop, so con-goers could share their lewks!
A chance to give back
Another big feature of this TwitchCon was the Charity Zone, which contained a stage surrounded by charity booths where visitors could get inspired to use their platforms, no matter how big or small, to contribute to a cause that spoke to them. The stage was being used for a live show hosted by ESA, a Swedish speedrunning team that also raises money for charity. Twitch themselves recently came out with a native fundraising tool, which could make it even easier for streamers to support their favorite cause.
Before you go…
For those considering buying a ticket to a future TwitchCon, here’s some parting wisdom:
If you’re dead set on attending a TwitchCon, keep a close eye on their newsletters for venue and date announcements. Usually, venues are announced first-- then dates. Back in Spring, I bookmarked all the Airbnbs I liked the most so that when the date was announced, I could easily go back into Airbnb and add the date and see what was available right away. I snagged a lovely apartment very close to the RAI where the ‘con was being held!
Arrive a day or two early. If you’re not a local, it’s a great time to check out the cool spots around the venue; and this way, if there’s a slight delay on your travels, you won’t end up missing half the event like I did!
If you’re really excited about a particular meet and greet, make sure you’re punctual! You can find the meet and greet times listed on the event site. I noticed that Pokimane’s line was so long, they had to start turning folks away because there was just no way she could see everyone before the ‘con closed for the evening.
…And if you’re just excited to meet new creators— they’re everywhere! Unlike at other conventions, where talent is often sequestered to back rooms or avoiding causing a crowd, you’ll see streamers everywhere you look at TwitchCons. Just look for the “Affiliate” and/or “Partner” badges!
And with that… “Tot de volgende keer” (Until we meet again!)
Or, in next year’s case: à la prochaine!
Jordanne Laurito
Marketing Manager
Throughout Jordanne’s early career in journalism and communications, she developed the razor-sharp multimedia editing skills and project management acumen she now brings to Player 2. From interning with a National Geographic Young Explorer in Kenya, to photo editing at The New York Times, Jordanne has excelled in helping people and brands tell their most impactful stories. Even when she’s not writing or talking about gaming, you’ll likely find Jordanne strategizing on Summoner’s Rift, collaborating with fellow Valorant agents, or flying the skies of Azeroth.
