When Rebecca Seepersad first started planning ExtravaCon, she thought Eternal Con was gone for good. After it skipped last year, she figured the local fandom needed a new space to gather and she was ready to step up. Just as her plans gained momentum, Eternal Con announced a return. For Seepersad, it wasn’t about competition.
“I didn’t want to step on toes,” she said.
With planning in full swing and her convention being set for November, late in the season, she decided there’s always room for one more comic con and that time period had a lack of options.
“I thought it was important to bring the community together,” Seepersad said.
From TCG to Con Organizer
A high school chemistry teacher by day and lifelong Pokémon fan, Seepersad had already proven she could turn passion into a phenomenon. Her Long Island TCG Show, launched in 2023, caught fire almost instantly, pulling in thousands of fans and winning Best of Long Island honors.
“To be honest, I don’t really know why it grew so quickly, but I think there was a demand for it,” she said. “I love Pokémon, so I know what a fan wants. I didn’t start this as a business, it came from passion. And of course, my teacher organization skills helped.”
Her Poké-passion even extends into the classroom, where she started a Pokémon club for her students, bringing her fandom full circle.
Now, she is leveling up with ExtravaCon, debuting at the Hilton – Long Island at 598 Broadhollow Road in Melville on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, from 11am to 6pm (10am early access).
Expanding the Universe
ExtravaCon promises to be bigger, broader and bolder than her first show. Trading cards will still have their place, but Seepersad has intentionally capped card vendors to avoid recreating the LI TCG Show.
“I didn’t want it to turn into just another TCG event,” she said.
Instead, fans will find a balanced lineup with toy sellers, comic dealers, book authors and a full Artist Alley.
The timing adds to the appeal. With few major conventions on Long Island in late fall, ExtravaCon fills a gap in November and lands just before the holidays, offering fans a chance to shop for gifts as well as collectibles. Coming just weeks after the glow of New York Comic Con in October, it also gives Long Island convention-goers something new to look forward to once the region’s biggest show wraps up.
Guests, Cosplay and Nostalgia
ExtravaCon’s guest list mixes new names with familiar faces from her earlier conventions. In addition to popular returning guests, Seepersad is bringing in headliners like Stephanie Nadolny, best known for voicing young Goku and Gohan in Dragon Ball Z; Paul Castro Jr., the voice of Rindo Kanade in NEO: The World Ends With You and Freminet in Genshin Impact; and Marty Grabstein, the voice of Courage the Cowardly Dog.
“I’m a huge cartoon person, so that’s pure nostalgia for me,” Seepersad said.
Cosplay may steal the show.
ExtravaCon will host its first official cosplay contest, giving fans a chance to showcase their craftsmanship and creativity on stage.
“A lot of cosplayers have been reaching out to me, and I think that’s really cool,” she said.
Adding to the atmosphere are fan-favorite Star Wars groups from Long Island. Alongside the 501st Legion, attendees can expect Echo Base of the Rebel Legion and other local cosplay organizations to fill the convention floor.
“I think it’s really cool what they do, and their costumes are amazing,” Seepersad said, noting interactive highlights like the popular Blast a Trooper event.
For the Whole Family
Seepersad has designed ExtravaCon to be accessible to all ages, with a Kids’ Corner and other family-friendly activities.
She compares the energy to the feeling of live music with like-minded people. After seeing the Backstreet Boys in Las Vegas, she said she was struck by how much being in a shared space elevates the moment.
“There’s something about being at shows and conventions,” she said. “There’s nothing like being in the same vicinity as people who have the same interests as you.”
That’s why she doesn’t plan alone. While Seepersad is a huge Pokemon fan her knowledge of general sci-fi is a little lacking.
“Going in blindly isn’t good,” she said. “I always ask my friends and family questions because their experiences at shows help me understand what works and what doesn’t.”
Looking Ahead
As a first-time event, Seepersad has modest but hopeful goals.
“If we hit 1,000 people, I’ll be happy,” she said. “If we reach 2,000, that would be amazing.”
She is excited to see ExtravaCon filling a needed space in the schedule for Long Islanders and beyond to bring those people together who just want to enjoy themselves with their cohorts.
“People are so nice at comic conventions, and the fan base is so great I think it’s important to have that,” she said.
