International escape room convention RECON coming to Laval for first Canadian edition
Laval will welcome escape room creators, operators and enthusiasts from around the world on August 16 and 17 as the Reality Escape Convention, known as RECON, holds its first Canadian edition at the Sheraton Laval Hotel.
The two-day professional convention will bring together members of the escape room and immersive gaming industries for conferences, live entertainment, exhibits and networking activities.
According to organizer Room Escape Artist, RECON Laval 26 will also mark the first time the convention has been held outside the United States since its creation in 2020.
Laval selected for first Canadian edition
The choice of Laval comes as the city has developed a reputation within the international escape room community.
In its announcement, Room Escape Artist highlighted Laval’s presence in international escape room rankings, including Escaparium’s Magnifico, which the organization identified as the top-ranked experience on the Top Escape Rooms Project Enthusiasts’ Choice Award, or TERPECA, website at the time of the announcement.
“Laval is a world-class escape room destination, and bringing RECON here feels like a natural evolution. We cannot wait to celebrate this industry alongside the incredible Canadian escape room community,” said David Spira, co-founder of Room Escape Artist.
The event is financially supported by the Government of Quebec, according to organizers, with additional support from Tourisme Laval.
Two days dedicated to the escape room industry
RECON Laval 26 is aimed at escape room owners, designers, creators and players, with programming covering several aspects of the industry.
Speaker sessions will address topics including escape room design, puzzle creation, storytelling, business strategy and technology. Discussion groups will also provide opportunities for participants to exchange ideas and experiences.
An exhibit hall will bring together sponsors presenting products, services and tools related to the industry.
According to Room Escape Artist, speakers from Canada, Greece and the United States are among the international participants expected in Laval.
The convention will not be livestreamed or recorded for later viewing.
Live entertainment joins the convention
Beyond its professional programming, RECON will feature two live stage productions.
The Crossword Show, hosted by comedian and writer Zach Sherwin, combines a live crossword puzzle with comedy, music and trivia. Guests will attempt to solve the puzzle on stage while the audience follows the clues and answers on a screen.
The convention will also host a live recording of Reality Escape Pod, Room Escape Artist’s podcast hosted by David Spira and Peih-Gee Law. Gijs Geers, owner of DarkPark in the Netherlands, is scheduled to participate in the live episode.
Organizers are also preparing a convention-exclusive game designed by the RECON team.
Convention enters its seventh year
RECON was launched in 2020 and has alternated between virtual and in-person editions.
According to Room Escape Artist, previous in-person conventions were held in Boston in 2022 and Los Angeles in 2024, while the 2020, 2021, 2023 and 2025 editions were held remotely.
The Laval edition will therefore mark both the convention’s seventh year and its first physical event outside the United States.
RECON Laval 26 will take place on August 16 and 17 at the Sheraton Laval Hotel. Tickets are currently available through the convention’s official website.
