Gatekeeping vs. Guardianship: The Crossroads of Convention Culture

Gatekeeping. You’ve felt it. Maybe even said it.

“They don’t belong here.”

“That’s not how it’s done.”

“We’re just protecting the integrity of the space.”

It sounds noble on the surface. But let’s call it what it is…

Gatekeeping.

And it’s slowly killing the heart of our community.

Gatekeeping isn’t exclusive to one facet of this community. It’s a quiet poison spreading across every corner of con culture; from vendors and artists to photographers and event organizers. And if we don’t name it and replace it, we risk losing the very thing we claim to love.

This Culture Is Bigger Than Just Cosplay, so let’s zoom out.

You’ll find gatekeeping behind vendor tables, where newcomers are dismissed for not having “the right” display setups. You will find it creeps into artist alleys, where digital creators are discredited by analog purists. It runs deep in photographer circles…where gear wars, editing snobbery, and elitism keep people from even picking up a camera.

And in con leadership? Gatekeeping masquerades as tradition. IInnovation gets iced out, passionate volunteers get sidelined. Only “insiders” get to steer the ship. Suddenly, board politics get ugly, and people get chased out because of someone else’s ego. This doesn’t come from a place of malice. It stems from fear; fear of change, fear of irrelevance, fear of being overshadowed…but fear doesn’t build culture. And it sure as hell doesn’t protect it.

Guardianship: A Higher Calling

There’s a better way forward. And it starts with shifting our mindset. Where gatekeepers guard access, and guardians protect purpose. Guardianship isn’t about policing who’s “real” or “worthy.” In this community. It’s about preserving the values that make this space magical—while evolving the systems that support them.

This is not about lowering the bar. This is about removing the walls and gates that keep people from reaching it.

What Real Guardianship Looks Like

Vendors – Share booth hacks. Help new sellers navigate pricing, signage, and customer flow. Don’t hoard the playbook – pass it down. Collaborate. Start stamp rallys, bring in your own guests, create wholesale partnerships.

Artists – Lift up fresh talent. Celebrate different styles, mediums, and workflows. Share what works, and what doesn’t with your booth. Art isn’t a hierarchy—it’s a conversation. 

Photographers – For the love of all that is glorious in this community, ditch the ego. Whether someone’s shooting on a DSLR, an iPhone, or a potato, they deserve a seat at the table if they’re doing it with passion. Share composite assets, create a discord channel, collaborate on big shoots, share models. NETWORK!

Organizers – Create systems that welcome new leaders. Prioritize mentorship, transparency, and innovation. Work with other events, and not just to compare notes on the gossip and the drama, but to build a stronger community in your region. The future of your show depends on who you empower today.

When we lead as guardians, we build bridges instead of borders. And that’s how you create a culture that lasts. You’re Not Just Running a Booth. Or a Con. Or a Camera. You’re shaping a legacy. Every choice you make – from who you welcome to how you teach – either moves this community forward… or holds it back.

And right now? We need guardians more than ever.

Let the gatekeepers cling to power…

We’re building something better.

 Ready to Protect What Matters?

If you’re done watching the same toxic patterns play out over and over, we got you. The Random Cosplayer offers coaching, consulting, and resources designed to help cosplayers, vendors, photographers, artists, and con organizers reclaim their role as culture-builders, not culture-blockers.

Join the mission. Schedule a 30 minute discovery call, and see what we can do to help.

Learn how to lead with purpose.

Build a con culture worth defending.  Let’s Start a Chain Reaction