New York Comic Con is expanding its professional programming to include closed sessions for professionals from ComicsPro, Lunar Distribution and Tiny Onion on Wednesday; the ICv2 Insider Talks for professionals on Thursday, the first day the full show opens; and other professional programming throughout the show.

The Wednesday programming, on October 16 from noon to 9 p.m., will take place in the River Pavilion at the Javits Center, with panels, speed networking, exclusive comics, and private creator signings.  It will be open to comic retailers, industry professionals, and NYCC sponsors.

Among the exclusive comics available for retailers will be The Department of Truth #25 NYC Retailer Exclusive, by Rosemary Valero-O’Connell. Programming topics will include Get Your Shop on the News: PR Basics, and Working with Schools and Libraries.

On Thursday, ICv2 will once again be hosting the ICv2 Insider Talks and Comic Industry Social Hour on Thursday afternoon, October 17, in the River Pavilion at the Javits.  This three-hour event is annually a great opportunity to meet, mingle, and network with other leaders of the comics and graphic novel industry.  It will kick off with the Comic Industry Social Hour at 2:30 p.m.  The Insider Talks, which will run 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., will include several powerful sessions in a quick-moving format.  One of those sessions will feature the ICv2 White Paper, with the latest info on numbers and trends in the comics, graphic novels, and manga markets.  ICv2 will release info on other topics and how to register for the event soon.

Thursday evening, ReedPop will host an Industry Mixer, sponsored by Comic Sketch Art from 7 to 9 p.m., open to all Professionals, Artist Alley, Publisher, and Retailer badge holders, and will have free swag giveaways by Tiny Onion.

Other professional programming at the show will include professional development for librarieans and educators, accredited programs from the National Academy of continuing Legal Education and the New York City Department of Education, in tandem with Lit-X, and the Harvey Awards ceremony, which will be held Friday evening.

Comic retailers can get free Wednesday and Thursday Pro tickets, and professionals are pre-approved to purchase a Pro 4-Day ticket.  Signups are required if you are a retailer through Lunar Distribution.