One of the key trade show events at the inaugural New York Comic-Con will be the ICv2 Graphic Novel Conference, which is scheduled for Thursday afternoon, February 23, 2006 at the Javits Center in New York City.  This in-depth exploration of the fastest-growing area in American publishing should appeal to publishers, retailers, librarians, literary agents, licensors and licensees interested in tracking the progress of the most dynamic sector in publishing. 

Some of the panel participants announced to date include graphic novel champion Calvin Reid of Publishers Weekly; children's media impresario Alfred R. Kahn, Chairman and CEO of 4Kids Entertainment; Liza Coppola Executive V.P. of Viz Media LLC.; Mike Kiley, Publisher and EIC of Tokyopop; plus graphic novel buyers James Killen of Barnes & Noble, Amy Sternberg of Musicland, and David Webster of Midtown Comics.