Diamond Comic Distributors and sister company Alliance Game Distributors announced today that they were canceling the Baltimore Retailer Summit, which was scheduled for next weekend--September 22-23.  In a personal message to Summit participants (reprinted in full below), Diamond owner Steve Geppi cited 'respect for those whose lives have been lost, extreme travel difficulties, and the general uncertainty of the times,' as the reason for the cancellation. Diamond is prepared to proceed with the Las Vegas Retailer Summit, which is scheduled for October 8-9.  Retailers who have already paid the $35 registration fee for the Baltimore summit will have it refunded shortly. 

Here's the complete text of the message from Steve Geppi:

'Please be advised that the Baltimore Retailer Summit, previously scheduled for next weekend, September 22-23, has been canceled.

While this decision was not easy to make as the desire to carry on in the face of adversity is strong, we feel it is best for many reasons, including respect for those whose lives have been lost, extreme travel difficulties, and the general uncertainty of the times.

We will explore the possibility of rescheduling the Baltimore Summit for a later date, and plan to go ahead with the Las Vegas Summit, on October 8th and 9th.  If you have already been charged a $35 registration fee, it will be refunded shortly.

Those of you who would still like to attend the Baltimore Orioles Game scheduled for Sunday, 9/23, at 7:05 p.m. are invited to contact your Diamond or Alliance Service Rep by the close of business on Thursday, 9/20, to make arrangements for picking up tickets at Camden Yards.

We thank you for your understanding in this matter and send our best wishes for you and yours during these difficult times.

Sincerely,

Steve Geppi

 

The Fort Wayne Summit 

Diamond did hold the first of three projected Retailer Summits last weekend in Fort Wayne, Indiana.  Over 300 retailers attended the two-day event, which was seen as a very positive gathering, especially by game and anime publishers.  The Fort Wayne Summit had a precedent in the series of open houses held there by Diamond's sister company, the game distributor Alliance (and Chessex before that).  Perhaps because of its gaming pedigree, game manufacturers like WizKids were very happy with the affair, reporting that a preponderance of the attendees were very interested in their products.  Representatives from anime companies contacted by ICv2 were also very pleased with the event, indicating that both game and comic retailers are diversifying their product lines and that anime is often the beneficiary of this diversification.  Comic publishers were a little less pleased with the outcome of the Fort Wayne Summit, but were reportedly eagerly looking forward to the other two summit locations, which they thought would draw more retailers who were interested in comics.