Speaking & Events
As an animator and storyteller, Retro Nick won't settle for some boring lecture—he delivers fully produced, media-rich experiences. Built with the same high energy and premium production value as his videos, Nick’s signature panels are designed to captivate crowds, spark massive audience interaction, and bring a vibrant, unforgettable energy to your event schedule.
October 14–17, 2026
Pinball Expo
DEATH OF THE ORIGINAL IP
Did licensing save pinball, or cost it something essential? In the 1990s, many of the greatest pinball machines ever made succeeded without relying on movie tie-ins, as legendary designers built unforgettable original worlds filled with unique characters, humor, and inventive gameplay. Today, modern pinball is increasingly dominated by major entertainment licenses from film, television, music, and gaming. In this panel, Retro Nick explores the rise of licensed pinball, how it helped sustain the industry, what may have been lost in the process, and whether original IP can once again become a major creative force on the arcade floor.
November 20–22, 2026
Twin Cities Con
WHY PHYSICAL MEDIA IS THE ULTIMATE FAN REBELLION
We live in an era where movies, TV shows, and video games can disappear from streaming services, digital storefronts can shut down, and purchased content can be altered or removed without warning. As digital access increasingly replaces true ownership, more fans are rediscovering the value of DVDs, Blu-rays, cartridges, and discs. In this panel, Retro Nick explores the growing push to preserve physical media, the real risks of digital erasure, and why collectors and fans are fighting to protect the art they love by owning it outright.
April 23–25, 2027
Midwest Gaming Classic
WEIRDEST RETRO MEDIA FAILURES IN HISTORY
Everyone knows iconic franchises like Sonic and Star Wars, but what about the bizarre live-action spinoffs, failed multimedia experiments, and absurd promotional tie-ins that audiences forgot—or wish they had? In this highly visual and comedic panel, Retro Nick explores some of the weirdest corporate misfires in retro pop culture, from baffling franchise expansions to strange 80s and 90s marketing gimmicks, uncovering the fascinating failures behind geek culture’s most unforgettable oddities.
Built for Your Event
Every convention has its own unique flavor. If you have a specific theme, anniversary, or topic in mind, Nick can tailor-make a custom presentation that seamlessly fits your schedule. Let’s connect and design a high-retention, crowd-pleasing panel built just for your attendees.