How Trainer-Con Built a Pokemon TCG Community in Dallas

I remember the first time I vended at an event.

I was excited. energized, even, until I realized I’d forgotten the two most important things: cash and my card reader. No way to make a sale. So I improvised.

I promoted my Pokémon Memory Wall instead. Focused on wristbands. Spoke with everyone who passed by. I made that day count in a different way, not because it was easy, but because I adapted.

That’s the hidden reality of event planning. It’s not about perfection. It’s about recovery.

That’s why I respect Joey and Caleb so deeply.

The two co-founders of Trainer-Con have built something rare. A growing, trusted vendor event that continues to scale without losing heart. But what makes them unforgettable isn’t the brand or even the growth.

It’s how they lead.

They wake up at 4 or 5 A.M. to set up tables by hand.

They measure for fire safety regulations.

They solve problems in real time.

You can see the results of that care firsthand at Trainer-Con - a vendor experience built with heart from the ground up.

And when their microphone, the main tool for contests and raffles, was unable to be used mid-event?

They didn’t panic. (Well, maybe a little)

They took a walk.

I don’t know what words were exchanged during that quiet loop around the venue.

But I imagine they were the kind that keep teams together.

From Vendor Table to Vision

Joey (left) and Caleb (right) of Trainer-Con vending at a Pokémon vendor market in Dallas’s Bishop Arts District connecting with fans and building community, one table at a time.

Joey and Caleb started like many of us, with a love for Pokémon and a side hustle built from scratch. Their original offering? Custom-made diorama cubes featuring Pokémon cards. After seeing early success selling at local markets, Joey had a simple but game-changing idea:

“Why don’t we create our own markets?”

That idea became Trainer-Con, now a full-scale event featuring over 120 vendors, cosplay contests, TCG tournaments, and more. And while Joey often gets labeled the “dreamer,” he insists it’s not all intuition:

Joey representing Rocket’s Relics at Card Party in Seattle by sharing stories, selling Pokémon merch, and meeting collectors from across the community.

“I’m the guy with the ideas...but we both look at the numbers. If something’s not working, we don’t keep doing it.”

Together, they’ve built a partnership where big-picture vision and detailed execution walk hand-in-hand.

As Joey put it: “You gotta find a way to fly kites and make money.”

A Leadership Style That Listens

Trainer-Con co-founder Caleb on the hunt for a PSA 10 Absol ex from Power Keepers, a rare TCG collectible, and one of his most sought-after chase cards.

Caleb brings a steady energy, more reserved, more data-driven, but no less passionate.

“I'm a planner. I need to see the data. But Joey inspires me to trust the process.”

What makes Caleb’s role so vital is how well he anticipates what vendors actually need. From restroom locations to load-in schedules, he’s thinking about every detail long before attendees ever arrive. That planning is why their events run smooth and why vendors keep coming back.

Even when their first TCG tournament flopped (only one person signed up), they handled it with transparency and grace. They learned, adjusted, and tried again.

They didn’t quit.

Why People Show Up Again and Again

Trainer-Con founders Joey (right) and Caleb (left) debuting their custom event blazers at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, ready to welcome vendors and fans alike.

Ask any regular Trainer-Con vendor what sets this event apart, and you’ll hear the same answer:

They care.

They don’t just manage the event, they walk the floor, ask vendors if they need a break, and remember names, families, and backstories. Joey, in particular, has a way of seeing people's potential before they see it in themselves.

I relate to that.

Sometimes leadership isn’t about knowing everything. it’s about seeing clearly. It’s about placing people where they can thrive. It’s about building a table with room for others.

Trainer-Con didn’t scale because of luck. It scaled because two very different people learned how to lead together.

The Dream, Still Evolving

Caleb (left) and Joey (right), co-founders of Trainer-Con, look ahead to the future of Pokémon vendor events with big dreams for Dallas, Houston, and beyond.

When I asked Joey what’s next, his answer was immediate:

Trainer-Con Houston. Trainer-Con San Antonio. Maybe even beyond Texas.

“We’ve got vendors who already travel with us. I want to build something they can be proud of — something big.”

And Caleb?

“I’ve learned to trust the process.”

That’s the power of partnership.

And it’s also the truth of leadership in this community: The best ones don’t just dream. They show up at 5 A.M. and build the dream for someone else, too.

🎧 Want to hear the full story?

Listen to As The Pokéball Turns — featuring Joey (Trainer’s Eye #136) and Caleb (Trainer’s Eye #132).

You’ll walk away with more than vendor tips. You’ll walk away inspired.