In Episode 16 of Tales From The Brick, Jon (8 Bit Bricks) is joined by Cody Ottley, the driving force behind the Bearded Builders Guild, BBG Forge, and the ever-growing BrickSlopes LEGO Fan Convention.

Cody shares how a simple road trip conversation turned into launching one of North America’s fastest-growing LEGO conventions—expanding from a small group of ~80 AFOLs to a massive multi-day event with hundreds of builders, tens of thousands of square feet of displays, and a reputation for unmatched swag and community energy.

The episode dives deep into the world of custom LEGO printing through BBG Forge—how Cody creates minifigs using only official LEGO parts, the philosophy behind “LEGO-ized” designs, and why they intentionally avoid competing with official releases by focusing on what LEGO hasn’t made yet.

You’ll also get a behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to run a convention at scale—from bulk LEGO orders and insane giveaways to faction-based themes, secret builds, and organizing chaos that somehow turns into an unforgettable experience. Plus, Cody breaks down the origins (and rules) of the Bearded Builders Guild—a LEGO “club” that’s part community, part inside joke, and fully embedded in convention culture.

📍 Find Cody Otley: • Instagram: @codio0937 • TikTok: @codio0937 • BBG Forge: BBG Forge • Bearded Builders Guild: Bearded Builders Guild • BrickSlopes: BrickSlopes LEGO Fan Convention

To find the best LEGO deals, check out the Bargain Bricks app

Until next time… play well.