Mood:
caffeinatedTopic: Comic Cons
TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3270: Okay... The 2010 Long Beach Comic Con, (LBCC), is now part of Comic Book History! Tina and I enjoyed this 'Sophmore Year' of the LBCC, that took place once again at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach, California. We attended all three days and were there from approximately opening time until closing time each day. I found the 'volunteer greeters' at the front door entrance of the Convention Center with their 'May I Help You?' hand held signs to be just one of many ways the promoters of this comic con welcomed new attendees. Nice touch! The line for membership badges went smoothly on the first day for us. However, Tina's badge tore on the 2nd day, and we went to the membership booth once again, to see what could be done about that. It appeared that this tearing problem had already been found out and resolved, because it only took two minutes before we were on our way back to the exhibit floor! The exhibit floor was laid out a little strangely, as it opened up in a 'V' shape as the attendees came in. However, that was due to the Long Beach Convention Center, not the LBCC promoters. The bigger publishers / vendors had the front area, which could be considered the 'prime real estate' of the con when the attendees first walked in. Which was okay for me, as I was more interested in what lay behind those booths...The Artist Alley, or in this year's case, the two separated Artist Alleys. I thought that was a little strange, but my wife, Tina LoSasso, said that was a smart marketing move, to improve traffic flow, and to encourage people to walk the entire floor and not to avoid sections. The Artists Alley sections were even better than last year! Though the two sections put together were bigger in size, the ability to sop and see individual creators at their tables was still a fun experience! The comic book vendors were interspersed pretty well. Those interested in buying back issues could delve through dozens of $1 boxes for reading pleasure, and there were a few 'big name dealers' there also for harder-to-find collectible back issues. The 'media stars' were not large in number, because this was a 'true comic con', not a 'pop culture con'. I enjoyed seeting those that were there, including Dan (Grizzly Adams) Haggerty, Herb (Lt. Boomer) Jefferson Jr., and William (Falconetti) Smith, of the ones that were there. 'Bigger Name' comics creators were also there, although some like Stan Lee were there only on a specific day. Stan had flown in from a different comic con in Detroit the day before. Busy guy! I had already seen Stan at the opening ceremony for the 1st LBCC last year, so did not attend the few mini-events hew as at, as those were xtra fee to be paid events. (Photo ops, etc.). We did however attend some of the panels and programs that were staged during the three days. Those included: 'Listen to Jimmy Palmiotti - Amanda Conner Spotlight', 'The IDW Publishing Sneak Peak', 'Secret Origins: The History of DC Comics', 'Mike Mignola Spotlight', 'Getting Your IP Recognized with Jimmy Palmiotti', among others. I plan on mentioning / blogging on some of those separately in the future, so just listing them here for now. I kind of liked having the panels separate from the exhibit hall, but the suggested path to walk around the building itslef to go to the next building that housed the panels was a little ways to travel. We did find that leaving through the back door of the exhibit hall to go more directly to the panel rooms was easier, but it was not suggested. Unfortunately there was another Convention occuring during the same weekend at the Long Beach Convention Center, which had the access blocked from Comic-Con attendedees to use. Still, it was enjoyable to be away from the exhibit floor. Talking about the exhibit floor, there were LBCC Exclusives for sale at this con. There was quite a few attendees buying those items when we walked passed that booth a few times. So I could see there was something for everyone at this year's LBCC, even 'Halloween Treats' for attendees. this was really good for those families that brought their youngsters in for 'Trick or Treating' on Sunday. Regarding the 'buzz' at this con. I've been going to comic cons / pop culture cons for several years, (I first set up as a comic book dealer at the SDCC in 1972.) Not one of them has ever been everything to everyone, whether you were a guest, an exhibitor, a publisher, a struggling artist, or an established comic book dealer. I found during the three days of this con, that there were those who were really pleased with either the networking, sales, exposure to their work, etc. There were those who were OK with their experience at the con. Plus there were those who didn't find this 2nd year con to their liking. I'm speaking of those that paid money to set up at a table or booth at this con, and either were 'newbies' or 'old timers' and either didn't know how to market themselves or were old pros at it. Just having a table at a comic con of this size does not guarantee you sales, or even exposure for that matter. Once again I found those in Artist Alley too busy to even look up in between illustrating commission sketches to acknowledge passerb by. That's why there should be a 'tag-team' effort at those tables if you are a struggling artists. Either your girlfriend or wife or best friend to engage those glancing at your table while you sketch, or realize that commission sketches to pay for your way and only that do not build your 'brand'. But I digress... As an 'attendee', I personally found so many things at this 2nd LBCC that I liked, that I am looking forward to the 2011 LBCC next October near the Halloween Day, as well as the April 2011 LBCC Expo, which is a one day affair. I would suggest to those of YOU that didn't attend this year's Con, to think about adding this Con to YOUR 2011 Con schedule now, either as an exhibitor, artist, or dealer. I've already been told that the panels / programs will be brought closer to the exhibit floor, (hopefully upstairs), and that other kinks will be addressed. I personally found this 2nd Annual LBCC a fun comic con to attend, and it still reminds me of the one I started at in San Diego before it got way too big after it moved to the San Diego Convention Center. Again, the above paragraphs are my own personal opinion, which may not see eye to eye with others that attended or were paying participants, but those are my thoughts! Good Show is what I say to those that were involved in putting this show on! And Thanks! ------------------- As an ending note: I've already blogged about who was going to be in Artists Alley at Blog #3266. I've also blogged about a few of the panels / programs that were being presented at Blog #3257. Also, I blogged about the guests that would be appearing back on Friday, September 17th, in Blog #3238. However, that list was updated on the LBCC's own web site since then. Plus there were many others that were attending, and for the full list, please see this link, which will take you to the LBCC's own page for 'guests' at this year's LBCC. I'll be posting additional pics here in my blog about those that I met at the LBCC, and also at my own Facebook Group Page, at Facebook Comic Con | Make It So Marketing. I have already mobile Facebooked photos during the LBCC. Unfortunately the photos first are uploaded to my personal profile page, which is maxed out at 5,000 Facebook Friends and Fan Pages 'Liked', so I can't accept many more 'Friends Requests'. Which is one of the reasons why I have a Facebook Group Page in addition! Here's the link to the Long Beach Comic Con on Facebook. Please take a look and click the 'Like' button while YOU are there! And this is the link to the web site for the 2010 LBCC. Which should be updated for the 2011 LBCC Expo in the upcoming year, as it will happen in April. The 3rd Annual LBCC 3 day affair is scheduled for the end of October 2011 again. --------------------------- My thanks again to all of YOU reading this blog and our archived blog posts, now up to 3,270 total posts in number! I do appreciate your continued reading and support of this Blog! BTW, You can 'follow' this Blog by clicking the 'Follow' Button at this NetworkedBlogs app! I would appreciate that! ~ Michael D Hamersky @ ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com
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