L.E. Becker of WARP 9 in Clawson, Michigan heard that Wizard World was purchasing Mid-Ohio Comic Con (see "Wizard Acquires Mid-Ohio Con") and wasn't very pleased with the news.
I just found out this past weekend that Wizard just bought Mid-Ohio Comic Con. I guess that's one more convention we won't be setting up at. Don't get me wrong. I have been attending Mid-Ohio for 20+ years and have only missed one show in that span (family emergency). When Roger Price ran it, it was always a fun show. When he sold it to GCX Holdings LLC, there were some hiccups, but it was an overall enjoyable show.
Now they have sold it to Wizard, and now it feels like what was once a family show CELEBRATING the comic industry, it's now going to be relegated to movie/television/wrestling stars, with maybe a HANDFUL of comic professionals. There is also the fact that Wizard is overpricing their dealer spaces--by a WIDE margin! Two endcap booths, which used to be a manageable $900.00, will now balloon upwards to $2000 plus! That’s more than twice the price.
I can't fault Wizard's game plan. Buy all of the shows, whether middle of the road or successful, slap the Wizard World logo on them and make your presence known. But it's only going to work IF you can get the SIGNIFICANT guests and get the dealers in. Despite what Wizard World might think, you NEED the retailers there also. You're not going to get them though if you continue to charge $1000 for a booth.
The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the editorial staff of ICv2.com.
'Won't Be Setting Up At'
Posted by ICv2 on November 19, 2010 @ 12:51 am CT
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