Gareb Shamus, founder and current CEO of Wizard Entertainment, has pitted his recently purchase 'Big Apple Comic Con' gathering to launch on the same exact day as the annual comic book/film convention 'New York Comic Con.'
The strategy is perceived to be another attempt by Shamus to create an aggressive scheduling conflict for two entertainment arenas.
Reed Exhibitions, the leading organizer responsible for New York Comic Con wasn't shy on responding to the scheduling conflict created by Shamus.
"New York Comic Con is without question the second largest pop culture event in North America with a legitimate attendance of 77,000 last February," continued Lance Fensterman, Reed's Vice President, Publishing and Pop Culture and show manager of the New York events. "In 2010 the event will grow to occupy nearly the entire Javits Center - nearly 750,000 gross square feet and also host the New York Anime Fest.
"With 51 other open weekends on the calendar, it's a curious decision to run an event that aspires to be similar to NYCC on the exact same weekend, but that is a question that the creators, fans, and publishers will answer...Or already have with 60% of the enlarged NYCC already sold with still 12 months to go. I think this speaks for itself in terms of the support from all corners of the industry.
"New York Comic Con will continue to focus on what has allowed us to enjoy the success we have thus far - our fans, our guests and our exhibiting customers. We feel it is our responsibility to grow this industry through mainstream media coverage, new readers, new promotional opportunities, rights & licensing and above all else pleasing the fans, not to serve ourselves and our own agenda. With a continued focus on our guests, fans and exhibitors we have every expectation to grow New York Comic Con even larger and more exiting in 2010, regardless of who wishes to draft on that success."
Marvel and DC currently don't have any panels or features booked for the convention involving Shamus for his announced venture into the Anaheim convention in 2010, dubbed C2E2 by Reed Exhibitions. On the other hand, Marvel Entertainment and DC have signed on board to be included as a segment of the Reed Exhibitions. This is interesting because they were also absent from the lineup with the recent convention in Chicago by Shamus. Shamus is stern on he belief that he will generate enough support from both publishing houses eventually for the upcoming 2010 shows.
Whispers68: Whether or not this will cause some followers of the conventions to decide on being a part of one location over the other, only time will tell. I for one view competition in any form as a blessing.