Armageddon Expo is a New Zealand owned and operated pop culture convention that holds multiple events around New Zealand in cities including Auckland, Wellington, Tauranga and Christchurch. The event, run by Beyond Reality Media Premier Event Management, has been running continuously since 1995. It has evolved from its roots of comics and trading cards to showcase computer and video gaming, animation, film and television, cosplay, comics, live wrestling, and retailers selling pop-culture merchandise. The convention hosts celebrity guests from the worlds of movies, TV shows, animation, cosplay, YouTube, comics and gaming. Event attendees can meet guests, purchase autographs and photo opportunities as well as watch panels featuring the guests. Armageddon Expo is one of the largest public conventions held in New Zealand. History Armageddon began in Auckland, New Zealand on the weekend of 2 December 1995, at the Avondale Raceway. In 1997, the expo added a Wellington event; In 1999, Armageddon did their first Melbourne event, Armageddon held events, in Australia sporadically, over several years but stopped hosting events in Australia in 2016. In 2007, the first Christchurch Armageddon event was held; Armageddon has also hosted events in other cities in New Zealand including Hamilton, Manukau, and Dunedin. 2020, will be Armageddon's 25th year of operation with shows in Wellington, Christchurch, Tauranga and Auckland planned. Highlights Current show events include: Celebrity Guest Panels, autograph and photo sessions. The Cosplay Contest. Exclusive Screenings Trivia Contests Cosplay Parade E-Sports Gaming and Card Tournaments Armageddon hosts a variety of stalls run by companies from around NZ and internationally, with merchandise including comics, gaming, trading cards, anime, steampunk and memorabilia sales. At each event, there are numerous NZ and overseas comic creators and artists also selling their products. Venues and guest appearances 1995–1997 1995 (2–3 December) – Avondale Raceway, Auckland 1996 (25 August) – Freemans Bay Community Centre, Auckland 1997 (9 March) – Freemans Bay Community Centre, Auckland 1997 (17 August) – Freemans Bay Community Centre, Auckland 1997 (24 August) – Victoria University, Wellington 1998 21–22 March – Alexander Raceway, Auckland Comic Guests: Kurt Busiek, Mark Waid, Devin Grayson 28–29 March – Wellington Raceway, Wellington Comic Guests: Kurt Busiek, Mark Waid, Devin Grayson 3–4 October – Aotea Centre, Auckland Comic Guests: Joe Kelly, Steven Seagle, Chris Bachalo 1999 29–30 May – Aotea Centre, Auckland Comic Guests: Warren Ellis, Grant Morrison TV/Movie Guests: Claudia Christian (Babylon 5), Chase Masterson (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine) 5–6