KantCon sponsor offers support and kindness for creatives navigating big events

By Brendan Howard

Imagine you’re preparing to exhibit at the KantCon Tabletop Gaming Convention, July 16–19, at the Overland Park Convention Center. You’ve paid for your booth space, packed your wares, and prepared to spend the weekend talking about your art, books, crafts, dice, or other creative projects. Hopefully, you’ll sell some items and meet people excited about what you create.

Now imagine you’re also nervous.

Maybe you’re shy or socially anxious and not used to speaking with strangers all day. Maybe you prefer quieter environments and know the convention floor will be loud and crowded. Maybe you’re neurodivergent and experience sensory overwhelm or overstimulation in busy public spaces.

KJ Davis understands that feeling.

Davis’ company, A Little Help Company (ALHc), a returning 2026 KantCon sponsor, focuses on mentorship and boutique publishing support for indie creatives who may need a little extra guidance navigating public events, creative projects, and business growth. (Note: We interviewed returning sponsor Davis for a podcast episode about her company in 2024.)

Davis, who is also an author herself, created ALHc to help writers, artists, small business owners, and other “creatives” feel more confident sharing their work with the world.

“We have our primary booth at KantCon,” Davis said, “but one of our biggest goals at events like this is helping newer creatives feel more comfortable interacting with the public and showcasing their work.”

Davis helps prepare creators for conventions by walking them through what to expect: booth setup, event flow, customer interactions, and even the locations of quieter decompression areas within the convention center.

“I encourage everyone to help us set up the booth so they can become familiar with the space beforehand,” Davis said. “We kind of have our own little pep rally before things begin.”

Once the convention starts, ALHc’s booth becomes what Davis describes as a “micro-community of neuro-spicy creatives,” complete with fidget-friendly items, water bottles, and built-in support systems so exhibitors can take breaks when needed.

“It’s funny, because a customer may start at one end [of our tables],” Davis said, “and they talk about their art or book, and then they help each other out by passing the customer down the line.”

At the end of long convention days, Davis often organizes small-group decompression outings, such as chatting over smoothies or ice cream, to help creators unwind and recharge together.

According to Davis, that sense of kindness and camaraderie extends beyond ALHc’s booth and throughout the KantCon exhibitor hall itself.

“You’ll see little acts of encouragement everywhere,” Davis said. She sees that the same camaraderie she builds among her creators is alive and well in the entire exhibitor space among all the vendors. It manifests in little trinkets that exhibitors secretly leave for each other to say, you’re seen … you’re appreciated … we’re all here for each other.

That kindness and caring for others lives in the tagline Davis is bringing with her: “You can’t give a hug without getting one in return.” This spirit of mutual support reflects ALHc’s core philosophy, which Davis calls the H.U.G. Principle: Honor, Understand, and Guide.

This year, ALHc’s booth will feature Davis herself, alongside several supported creatives, including a debut children’s book author and a local small-business owner specializing in allergen- and gluten-free spice blends and cooking mixes.

Visitors can find A Little Help Company at KantCon, July 16–19, at the Overland Park Convention Center to meet the creators, explore their projects, and experience a little of that kindness and encouragement for themselves.

Brendan Howard is a freelance podcaster, writer, and editor based in Olathe, Kansas. He was recently ordained as a rabbi by the Jewish Spiritual Leaders Institute in New York City. His podcast is brendanhoward.podbean.com.