Zachary Levi and The Nerd Machine returned to Comic-Con this year bringing with them Nerd HQ.
This annual event, now in its third year, provided fans with a home base during the international comic book and entertainment festival. Guests experienced cutting edge technology with hardware provided by Intel & ASUS; gaming showcases including action-packed Neverwinter gameplay; a sneak peak at the all-new, electric FIAT 500e and several exclusive parties including the festival favorite, Levi’s annual Nerd Party.
Also back by popular demand was the very popular philanthropic panel series “Conversation for a Cause.” Guest who purchased tickets to these intimate panels of about 250 people enjoyed asking questions of their favorite entertainers in an un-moderated forum. This year’s panels included some of the most talked about films, television shows and celebrities including “Riddick,” “Cast from ‘300: Rise of an Empire,’” “Dr. Who,” “The Maze Runner,” “Haven,” “I, Frankenstein,” “Orphan Black,” “PBS Masterpiece: Sherlock,” “Psych,” “Stoopid Buddy with Seth Green,” “Thrilling Adventure Hour,” “Fannibal Meetup with Bryan Fuller, Hugh Dancy and David Slade,” “Signing with the legendary Jim Lee of DC Entertainment,” “Adult Swim Panel featuring cast members from NTSF and Children’s Hospital,” “Kick Ass 2 Panel and Signing,” “Tiny Commando featuring Ed Helms, Gillian Jacobs, Ryan McFaul and Zachary Levi,” “A Conversation with NASA/JPL Mars Curiosity Rover” and “A Conversation with Zachary Levi and Mystery Guests” and individual panels with Evangeline Lilly, Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles, Joe Manganiello, Joss Whedon, Nathan Fillion, Richard Madden, Tom Hiddleston, and Nerd HQ Founder Zachary Levi.
With the addition several new fundraising efforts, such as photo opportunities with celebrities including Stan Lee, Nathan Fillion, Alan Tudyk, David Giuntoli, Yvette Nicole Brown, and Levi, an exclusive auction on eBay that featured one-of-a-kind artwork from Elevendy, a huge screening of fan-favorite Serenity on Petco Park’s field, and a generous $10,000 donation from event sponsor Intel & ASUS, the event generated a record breaking $215,000 for Operation Smile or as Nerd HQ Founder Zachary Levi put it, 895 smiles.
