Paul Stock of Librairie Astro in Montreal, Quebec saw Diamond VP Roger Fletcher's comments on next year's Diamond Retailer Summit (see 'Diamond Looking at '05 Summit Options'), and Rik Deskin's suggestion of Seattle as a location (see 'Rik Deskin of Rain City Comics on Diamond Summits'), and suggests a rotating location, in conjunction with a consumer show:

Diamond's Roger Fletcher has mentioned Baltimore, Las Vegas and Memphis as being under consideration for the 2005 Diamond Retailer Summit.  Rik Deskin of Rain City Comics in Woodinville, Washington wonders if Seattle could be considered.  I don't see why not.

In 2003, Diamond had scheduled the meeting for Las Vegas, a couple of weeks after the 'Extrosion' show.  Robert Scott of Komicaze in San Diego had the foresight to realize that conveniences and savings could be garnered by exhibitors and retailers alike if the Summit were to immediately follow the 'Extrosion.'  Publishers who were already at the consumer show only had to 'move across the aisle' to set up for the retailers' show, instead of packing up, going home, then shipping themselves and their displays back across country two weeks later.  Similarly, retailers who exhibited at the consumer show would only have to stay in town for a couple more days to attend the summit.  All in all, tying to an existing convention would make thing much more convenient (and cheaper) for attendees and exhibitors alike.

I was among those who suggested to Diamond that they move the show each year.  Las Vegas was fine and convenient for western and mid-west attendees, but how about people from New York (or Montreal)?  I for one wasn't prepared to spend over $1,000 (and 12 hours cramped in a plane) for what is essentially a couple of days of sales pitches and a chance to schmooze with other retailers.

If the Diamond Summit were to move from city to city (always tied to a major convention), every year would give retailers, who would not otherwise attend, a reason to do so -- convenience.  Diamond apparently listened.  The 2004 event was tied to the Baltimore Comicon.  All reports have it as being a success.  Unfortunately I was much too busy to attend, but I came close -- which is more than I've ever done before.

So why not Seattle (or Toronto, or Ohio etc.)?  Does the convention Rick mentioned have publisher presence?  If so, seems a perfectly viable venue.  Even if it doesn't, if it's a big enough convention, publishers heading to the Diamond show might also decide to exhibit at the consumer show.  'Two birds with one stone' can work both ways.

I'd like to see Diamond move the show every year -- ideally in a west/mid-west/east rotation.  That way every retailer would have the opportunity to attend, at least one year out of three.