Pop Culture Expo to Be Held in Atlantic City
A POPPED! Pop Culture Expo in Atlantic City will allow fans to celebrate 50 years of cultural influence on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at ACX1 Studios on the boardwalk. The…
A POPPED! Pop Culture Expo in Atlantic City will allow fans to celebrate 50 years of cultural influence on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at ACX1 Studios on the boardwalk.
The event will feature engaging activities, such as interactive panels, workshops, a screening of classic martial arts films like Enter the Dragon, and the Scott Spillman Gallery showcasing pop culture history.
Led by Black Ink Events and the Invest Atlantic City coalition, the event aims to boost employment, tourism, and economic growth by offering an accessible, smaller-scale event during Atlantic City's off-season.
According to a news release, the event will feature a celebrity lineup representing nearly five decades of pop culture history in film, horror, and wrestling. Personalities include:
- James Saito, the original Shredder: Famed actor James Saito, the original Shredder from the classic Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film, will be joined by legendary FX artist Jeff Goodwin, who created the creature effects for the film.
- Steve Barton, horror power broker: Producer of the global hit Terrifier 2, Steve Barton will offer an exclusive inside look at breaking into the film industry.
- Indie and cult legends: Meet famed Scream Queen Tina Krause, actor Santiago Cirilo, legendary film and TV actress Tara Buckman, and the ECW "Quintessential Stud Muffin" Joel Gertner.
According to the release, Black Ink is offering limited Premiere VIP Experiences that will include the following:
- Private VIP Lunches with legends like James Saito and John Zaffis, limited to only 10 spots each.
- An exclusive film experience with Steve Barton, featuring a private screening and an Ask-Me-Anything (AMA) session on the horror industry.
- VIP promo video shoots featuring wrestling icons Joel Gertner, The Ironman, and The Pitbill. Fans will get a chance to live out their pop culture wrestling fantasies.
Tickets, including more details on the limited Premiere VIP experiences and the complete panel schedule, are available now at the Black Ink Events website.
