Brickvention has long attracted builders from beyond Australia’s borders, and for many international AFOLs it serves as both a benchmark and a meeting point for the global LEGO® community. Jay Horne is a New Zealand–based AFOL, Technic builder, and LEGO event organiser from Wellington, best known as the driving force and creative mind behind Jumper Plate, a platform dedicated to supporting, promoting, and connecting LEGO events and communities.
Jay first crossed the Tasman in 2018 not as an exhibitor, but as a curious attendee, keen to see how Australia’s flagship LEGO event was run, and to bring ideas home to help strengthen shows in his own community. What followed was a Brickvention journey that has taken him from Melbourne to Denmark, and far beyond.
What motivated you to attend Brickvention in the first place?
Jay: I flew over from New Zealand to attend Brickvention as a general public attendee in 2018 to see how big brother puts on a show — and to gain inspiration (or borrow some ideas) that I could take back to Wellington to help improve our own shows.
Jay didn’t arrive with a display, just curiosity, and a few questions.
When was your first Brickvention, and what do you remember most about it?
Jay: 2018 — and it was HOT. Kiwis are not designed for hot weather, which made my favourite displays at the event the massive pedestal fans scattered throughout the hall, sitting in between so many amazing builds.
Every Brickvention has its defining features. In 2018… it was the heat.
What’s your favourite Brickvention memory?
Jay: I accidentally found out I was talking to the Brickvention organiser at an event in Denmark, after ranting on for several minutes about how great Brickvention was. Somehow, I then managed to con him into letting me apply for a late registration to display at the upcoming Brickvention 2020 — as a first-time exhibitor.
Some Brickvention stories don’t even happen in Melbourne.
What was your first MOC at Brickvention, and how did people react to it?
Jay: My transforming car, “Dirt Track”, was based on the LEGO Technic set 42077 Rally Car. Most people thought it was just a boring old regular car… right up until it transformed.
Jay’s first display had a surprise built right in, check it out in motion here.
What does the Brickvention community mean to you?
Jay: Because Brickvention hosts representatives from across Australia and around the world, I’m able to meet a whole range of like-minded people. Those connections often inspire me to attend the events they organise — including shows in Adelaide, Canberra, Manchester (UK), and most recently Kobe, Japan.
Brickvention’s reach goes far beyond one weekend.
Have you made lasting friendships or connections through Brickvention?
Jay: I went to Brickvention to discover and learn more about how Aussie clubs work and if/how I could better support their needs. But left making so many great friends, they are almost family.
What’s something most people don’t see or realise about what goes on behind the scenes?
Jay: Showing off your latest build is great, but for me it’s the excited buzz that comes from being around LEGO friends you only see once or twice a year. You pick up conversations that started the year before, and it feels like no time has passed at all.
The magic doesn’t stop when the doors open.
What does 20 years of Brickvention mean to you personally?
Jay: As an international exhibitor, it’s comforting to know that Brickvention will always be amazing and well executed. It’s built on a very solid and experienced foundation, and that shows..
Longevity matters, especially from an international perspective.
If you could describe Brickvention in three words, what would they be?
Jay: It. Started. Here.
For Jay, Brickvention isn’t just a destination — it’s a starting point. From sparking ideas that travelled back to New Zealand, to opening doors to events across the globe, his experience reflects Brickvention’s role as a connector within the international AFOL community.
As we celebrate 20 years of Brickvention, stories like Jay’s remind us that what begins on the exhibition floor can ripple outward, inspiring builders, strengthening communities, and shaping LEGO events worldwide.
Want to follow Jay online? Check out Jumper Plate or find him on Instagram at @jumperplate
Want to meet him in person? Join us at Brickvention 2026 at the Royal Exhibition Building, 17–18 January. Tickets via Humanitix.