FanX Convention Opened at Salt Palace
The annual pop culture event began in Salt Lake City with over 900 vendors expected to participate.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Special Interest
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FanX has kicked off its latest convention at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City. The event brings together more than 900 vendors to showcase merchandise and custom items.
Why it matters
The convention serves as a significant financial engine for independent vendors who rely on sales to fund their operations and charitable toy drives. Ongoing renovations at the venue will eventually force the event to move to a new location.
The convention has hosted vendors at the Salt Palace since 2013. This year features more than 900 individual merchants selling items ranging from 3D-printed goods to collectibles.
The players
FanX
This pop culture convention is a long-standing event in the Salt Lake City area.
Salt Palace Convention Center
This facility is a major event venue in downtown Salt Lake City currently undergoing planned renovations.
Mountain America Expo Center
Located in Sandy, this venue is slated to host FanX after the convention leaves the Salt Palace.
The details
Vendors utilize the convention floor to sell specialized merchandise, with many participants leveraging these proceeds to support personal income and charitable initiatives. Traffic in the vicinity of West Temple and 100 South has been restricted to manage the influx of attendees.
Timeline
The first FanX event was held at the Salt Palace in 2013.
The 2026 convention officially began on September 24, 2026.
Two smaller events are scheduled for the Salt Palace in 2027.
Industry Dynamics
The relocation of FanX follows a pattern set by the 2013 inaugural FanX event as the convention outgrows its original downtown home. This move reflects a broader trend of mid-sized events shifting toward suburban facilities to accommodate large-scale venue renovations.
Attendees and local commuters should anticipate traffic restrictions near West Temple and 100 South for the duration of the event. Fans should prepare for the future transition of the convention to the Mountain America Expo Center in Sandy following the 2027 season.
The takeaway
The move to a new venue in Sandy highlights the importance of checking official event schedules for future conventions. Supporting local vendors at these events helps sustain independent creators and their ongoing charitable efforts.
Further reading
For more on local gatherings, see the Special Interest section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by ABC 4.
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