Journalist Rose Scott hosted a bevy of guests Thursday 12PM in Hyatt’s International North ballroom for an onsite recording of “Closer Look with Rose Scott,” a news magazine produced by Atlanta NPR outlet WABE that covers local topics. “Dragon Con 2026: 40 Years of Imagined Worlds and Its Influence on Reality” focuses on the intersection of fandom and modern life through the lens of Dragon Con.
Guests included Pat Henry, co-founder of Dragon Con; Yaya Han, cosplay designer and author; Jo Garland, Dragon Con spokesperson; Tawny Newsome, actor, writer and comedian; Adam Hawkins, Director of Outreach and Emergency Services at HOPE Atlanta; Ed Hall, science-fiction author; Dan Whisenhunt, journalist at Decaturish.
The lively discussion began with a recap of Dragon Con’s early days with Pat Henry. Henry recalled the early days, with roughly 900 attendees flocking to the Pierremont Plaza Hotel (now known as the Crown Plaza Atlanta Midtown) to see special guests such as Richard Garriott and Gary Gygax. Henry and his fellow co-founders were repeatedly warned that a multi-fandom convention wouldn’t last, but the convention returned next year, and the year after that. As time progressed, the convention grew into the behemoth it is today, with ~75,000 attendees and 2,900 volunteers over a 5-day span.
Han touched on the cosplay focus of Dragon Con, which includes a wide variety each year. She remarked that the sheer variety of costumes is unparalleled, from low budget to high-end, from niche to mainstream. All cosplayers are welcome at Dragon Con, and this inclusive atmosphere led to Han meeting her husband at the convention.
Garland noted the convention’s ever-increasing cultural cache. Dragon Con becomes more of an Atlanta fixture with each passing year despite an attendance cap since 2021. As Labor Day nears, Dragon Con-themed products hit local shelves each year. Among 2026’s highlights are Dragon Con Bourbon from Old Fourth Distillery, Dragon’s Nectar Mead from Monk’s Meadery, and Apple Pie Craft Cider from Atlanta Hard Cider Co.
Newsome got candid about her role as Beckett Mariner in Star Trek: Lower Decks. Her improvisational skills, honed at Chicago’s The Second City, and a deep passion for Star Trek were both indispensable in playing Mariner, the series’ witty heroine. As the series progressed, Newsome was brought on as a producer for several episodes. Throughout its 60-year history, Star Trek has held consistent narrative focus on diplomacy, inventiveness, and kindness. She recalled frequently “discussing utopia” with her colleagues and theorized that the optimistic themes contribute to its continued success as a media franchise.
Despite its massive scale, Dragon Con has cultivated a friendly, intimate atmosphere. “Dragon Con is where introverts turn into extroverts, and extroverts turn pro,” quipped Whisenhunt. Dragon Con attracts a variety of attendees with myriad interests and personalities, and against all odds, everyone co-exists in harmony. The panel agreed that the convention’s culture of collaboration, acceptance, and diversity make it not only unique among cons but also enriching for its attendees. In Scott’s own words, “From science fiction and fantasy to comics, gaming, cosplay and fandom, it’s so much more than escapism. Dragon Con is a universe of its own that welcomes and celebrates a creative engine for identity, resistance, innovation, and belonging. And isn’t that what America is supposed to represent?”
Daily Dragon readers can watch the special issue of Closer Look with Rose Scott on wabe.org.
