Kadabracon Reviews 

This is my second review I have decided to write based on my second experience I had with Kadabracon specifically their owner Kirk Wood.

This time takes place back in 2024 up until about Kadabracon 2025.

After Kadabracon 2024 Kirk Woods the owner of Kadabracon DM’d me on my instagram to talk. He then gave me his number. I told him I would want to email instead. So we email each other for a little. I explain my situation and about how it was unprofessional and dangerous what the *Unregistered Volunteer* (His words. I have email proof) did to me in the bathroom by denying me access. We practically go back and fourth as I pull up Convention Texas state documents and definitions to support my statement. A thing that stood out for me in the emails (well there is a few) was that he kept bringing up my close friend who they got in contact him before I did about my experience (I gave consent to them) and during that whole time he was threatening a law suit against them because they were posting on their social media about my experience and he claimed “defamation” (Again proof he says these words). I told him that this email between him and I have nothing to do with what happened between him and my friends contact interaction and I found it very unprofessional he kept roping them in completely ignoring the MAIN reason we emailed. The last of the email was him asking for me to either take down the videos I posted on my social media or correct words so I told him I would correct wording. The only thing I said wrong in my first video was calling the person who kicked me out “Volunteer” when he corrected me claiming it was an “Unregistered Volunteer”.
And then that was that.

I found this email exchange to be very unprofessional, lack integrity, and immature which says a lot of the owner of the con and how he ACTUALLY handles his issues.

Now up to 2025. (Again this my experience with the owner Kirk Wood which still involves Kadabracon)

From sources of numerous people (proof for this as well) Kirk Woods would be talking behind my back, calling me a liar and say that I making up words (Yes he claimed I made up the word Unregistered Volunteer even though I have proof HE said it). He as well has not paid and/or reimbursed my friend who was a cosplay guest as well as my not being cooperative and lack information to friends who were vendors. This just goes to show how this man did not take my issue with the convention seriously and is not taking any accountability. If you were to also read other reviews this is a pattern he has.

I am sorry this is long but I had to write my second review on my second experience with the conventions owner about the Kadabracon 2024 and Kadabracon 2025.

Since KadabraCon 2025 it has come out that the owner of this event owes celebrity guests from 2023 money, has been SUED by the venue used in 2024 for over $10,000 that wasn't paid for using the venue, and was even sued by the artist that created the original mascot/logo for the first year.
Signage has always been a problem. Vendors getting their products STOLEN has always been a problem since the event is always held in the same space as the night events. Communication is always a problem. And guests/performers keep getting their contracts broken by the owner.
Clearly the owner never learns anything since he has been saying the same thing every year how he'll improve the event. Nothing has changed and never will based on these patterns of behavior.

If I could give zero stars, I would Kirk Wood owes me 100+$ which I know isn’t really that much, but it was written in contract whenever they had asked me to be a Cosplay guest for their event. They didn’t give all cosplayers equal treatment either. This whole convention was a shit show and he blocked my number and my email so I couldn’t contact him to continue to try to sort out the financial issue that was promised in contract that I would be paid for.

I am owed money for helping bring in sponcers. The attendance is WAY DOWN. All in all 0 out of 10 this is ball pit 2.0

There are no words to describe how horrendous the show is run. The day of set up/start of the con nothing was prepared to show where everyone booth was supposed to be. It was a guessing game to finding a spot you were assigned. The show runner Kirk did not arrive to the event center til three hour after set up was starting and asked a former (now former) staff member/vendor to leave and buy him starbucks because he was running late. (He was still gone half the con and avoiding staff and guest who were wanting to be paid).

I also spoke with other vendors and artist to learn he never bothered to properly get equipment or tables for the panel rooms and left them empty forcing the people who had panels figure out everything last minute. There so much more I can see but go on youtube and look up Zero to Heroes reviews and complete run down on how bad it was.

Kirk had attempted to reach out to vendors snd artist to sign up for his Austin show. I replied with a refusal and telling him I would never do any of his shows with how bad his show was ran and to pay everyone who is owed money.

His response was requesting I call him and to stop believing all the lies about him. Court records do not lie.

I want to make you aware of an issue regarding Kirk Wood. He still has outstanding sales guarantee payments owed to several celebrity guests from his 2023 KadabraCon event, and he has not reimbursed me $1,230.74 for booking a flight for Daniel Logan (Boba Fett). Unfortunately, Kirk has gone completely unresponsive to everyone involved, and I don’t want what happened to us to happen to you. If you know anyone below, they can confirm these details are true...
Celebrity guests owed sales guarantees:
Daniel Logan
Justin Nimmo
Karen Whitfield
Patrick David
Roger Velasco
Selwyn Ward
Stephanie Nadolny
Tracy Lynn Cruz
If you search for KadabraCon on Facebook or YouTube, you’ll find multiple posts from guests and vendors describing similar experiences and raising similar concerns.

As someone who’s been to many conventions, this is the worst one I’ve been too. Not the biggest, not the smallest, but the worst. The issues run deep when it comes to this event. From issues that worsen every year to poor management. I keep coming back hoping it’ll improve, yet that time has gone. It seems that even the special guests I was coming to visit were having just as poor of a time as I. I struggled to find a schedule to no avail. None of the volunteers had a clue where I could find help. Eventually I did find the 18+ section, yet that was redundant with all the clearly NSFW artist out in the main area. The main area of a supposed “family friendly event”. My boyfriend and other people there were the only enjoyable part of this event. So many things crashed and burned. What should’ve been a marvelous time turned into a con that deserved no more chances. A scamming con booth was allowed by the owner of this place!? I thought it was supposed to be a convention, not a carnival! Might as well been since this place is clearly ran by a clown.

Horrible disorganisation, very poor layout that makes finding certain things impossible, and instead prioritises a few stalls, some of which were involved with scams like gambling and rigged-gambling at this supposedly family-friendly event. There were also many very explicitly dressed cosplayers, some even paid to be there, when this was supposed to be family-friendly, and this shouldn't have been allowed on the event. You also couldn't bring any food in or out of the venue, forcing you to pay outrages amounts for some food inside the building, unless you were okay with leaving to eat somewhere else, and then going through the whole check-in process again.

I tried to look at this event in some kind of positive light coming into it, but on every turn I got so disappointed that I cancelled the ticket I got for the last day of the event.

There was an extreme shortage of staff available around this very large venue as well, and when I eventually did find one and got the chance to talk to them, I discovered they were overworked, with zero pay. This wasn't limited to them, and many of the events were cancelled or either understaffed, under-equipped, or empty, and I overheard that the celebrities were very poorly treated, being put into extremely cheap and poor quality accommodation, with many leaving before even the second or third day of the event.

Overall, it was an absolute mess of an event, and it seems to largely fall down to the owner who organised the event, paying nothing to his employees, organising it very poorly, and pocketing all the money he could without benefiting the event. 1/10

This should’ve been an amazing experience they had all the right ideas ; amazing guests, a rave, drag shows, an 18+ market, cosplay contests. The ideas were all there. But the setup? Questionable. The main stage was smack in the middle of the vendor hall (??), and vendors told me things were stolen during the rave. Also where were the cosplayers!? the cosplay show was so empty, there was no skits, and honestly it felt rigged ngl. I barley got any photos of cosplayers. Walking up i felt like I was in the wrong place. I know its only the 3rd year but it somehow felt worse than last year. Maybe start a discord or fb group to gather a fan base? It would be good for posting pictures and talking about panels or cosplay meet ups. I want this con to be good but it always falls short.

Me and my husband went to this event for our anniversary, and we had an amazing time got to meet lots of people. There was a raffle going on to win a big painting, I had an amazing time me and my husband. Even family went as well and they enjoyed it 😊😊😊 will definitely be going every year.

We gave KadabraCon another chance this year, but unfortunately, our experience was worse than before. The setup was unorganized, our table wasn't where we paid for, and attendance was so low that many vendors struggled to even make table costs. While we did enjoy meeting a few great people, overall, the show felt unprepared and disappointing. Unfortunately, cannot recommend this show.

Terrible organization and communication. Not worth your time or money.

I have a dear friend who's had to work a side job because Kirk Wood refused to pay her.
She was in charge of teaching the mochi-making and fox mask decorating classes onsite at KadabraCon '24. After the event, Wood refused to pay her the cut of the class tickets she was promised BY CONTRACT, claiming that he didn't have enough money... but he has enough to rent American Bank Center for his upcoming event? The man's a thief.

Reviewing this not in the context of the 2024 iteration (many, MANY people have said all that needs to be said about that), but regarding the 2025 iteration, which is already looking shadier than last year by far.

For a whole week, about Feb 6 to Feb 14, the main website said 'location is TBD.' However, the social media pages were never updated with that vital information, and promotion for special guests continued to list American Bank Center as the venue. Around Feb 14, the website reverted back to listing ABC, without providing any explanation for the hangup.
As a prospective vendor, I emailed requesting clarification weeks ago, around the time of the 'location TBD' update, and never received it. Several other potential vendors have had the same experience.

I certainly wouldn't suggest attending in general, but please, for anyone considering vending at KadabraCon: DO NOT pay the booth fees until event chairman Kirk Wood can provide written proof that a contract has been signed with the venue. I'm picturing something akin to not even last year's KadabraCon, or GalaxyCon Austin '23; I'm thinking of IzumiCon 2018 in Oklahoma, where the doors never even opened.

Disorganized, unprofessional, unsafe, and very small space for such a hyped up convention. Wayne Grayson wasn't even there. Could've at least announced it prior since some of us attendees went exclusively to see him. Don't waste your time, travel, or money on Kadabracon. I don't recommend.

*Agents* do not book clients here. You will not get paid!

Read the other 1 star reviews. Practically the same.

Despite how small the convention was I had a great time with my dad. I can even say that the cosplay contest was awesome to see I hope to come back to it next year!

If it’s not a safe place for EVERYONE, is not a safe place at all.
If they don’t respect trans people, they really deserve your money? You really gonna finance this project? I don’t think so.

About KadabraCon - yep, worst convention ever.

I guess I'll also put in my 2 cents. For those who don't know, I am the 'Anime Gone Metal' dude. The guitar shredder guy of countless comic cons and Anime conventions, etc. And I am a professional musician... I was supposed to perform a concert at this convention, but it didn't happen. Lack of communication, honesty and even professionalism. I was told I had a hotel reserved... that was a lie. Wouldn't even give me a reservation number or confirmation number... so I sure as heck knew I wasn't even going to get paid a performance commission either. I tried calling and texting... nothing... I knew right then and there it would've been a bad idea to go, not to mention how badly I already got screwed over preparing for this. I sincerely would've just been content having my hotel covered since it's a new convention... but not even that or the decency to communicate the truth with me. I took off 3 days of work, (I'm a guitar teacher as well by the way), just to take part in what I thought would've been a great and fun event. As a result, I lost a lot of money from not teaching and that can't be recovered. So to fellow musicians and professional performers, if you value your work and don't want to get screwed over, don't try to book with this convention.