FanX to double security efforts for upcoming event

SALT LAKE CITY — FanX will more than double its security efforts as organizers prepare to host around 100 celebrities and more than 100,000 visitors over the next few days.

FanX producer Dan Farr said the decision comes as a precaution, rather than a reaction to any unrelated incidents.

“We’re significantly beefing up security just because we want to make sure that everybody feels safe,” Farr said. “We’ve been working with the Salt Lake City chief of police and several other law enforcement agencies.”

Related: Vendors will not be allowed to sell AI-generated items at FanX

Organizers say visitors will notice a distinct difference in the number of officers on the floor while the event runs this Thursday through Saturday. There will also be additional behind-the-scenes efforts that won’t be seen. Either way, Farr said they simply want to make sure everyone can feel more secure while enjoying whatever draws them to the Salt Palace Convention Center.

“Pop culture and fandom (are) kind of a unifying thing,” Farr said. “People can come here and still celebrate Star Wars or Star Trek. Maybe they can get a little bit of debate about Star Trek (being) better than Star Wars or DC or Marvel, and that’s okay. As long as it’s good nature or fun, we welcome it here.”

Farr said FanX has an impressive lineup this year, including the likes of William Shatner and David Tennant. He added that some of the biggest hype he’s hearing about, however, is for May Hong, one of the voices behind Netflix’s smash hit, Kpop Demon Hunters.

“That has been so phenomenal, how big that’s been,” he said.