Here’s something that makes a whole lot of sense; your company is letting people go left and right, you cancel and/or postpone Wizard World Texas and Wizard World Los Angeles, so you go out and purchase the Big Apple Convention. To make matters even more confusing, Gareb Shamus is moving the show to October 16 – 18, 2009, which just so happens to be the same month that the New York Comic Con had announced it is moving to. If Shamus and Wizard wanted to stir up a hornet’s nest of publicity on a slow news day, it certainly succeeded in that.
The complete press release after the jump, and don’t forget the comment section for you to do all that talk backin’ that y’all do so well.
Gareb Shamus, CEO of New York-based Wizard Entertainment, today announced he has acquired Big Apple Con, one of the trailblazing brands in the comic book and pop culture world, and the longest running annual show in New York City. The “new” Big Apple Con is moving to Pier 94 in Manhattan the weekend of October 16-18, 2009.
“I’ve been going to shows in New York City since I was a kid and I have a fondness for Big Apple Con,” Shamus said. “Today’s acquisition fulfills a dream of running a mega-show in New York City unlike anything there’s ever been.”
This move also enjoys tremendous support and enthusiasm from industry leaders. “Diamond is really looking forward to working closely with our friends at Wizard as they expand into the New York market,” said Bill Schanes, Vice President for Purchasing at Diamond Comics. “We anticipate a great event based on their ability to attract key talent, to promote and market the event, and at the same time to give consumers a tremendous value for their admission price.”
Ed Fleming, CEO/Founder of Video Game Expo (VGXPO), the largest East Coast expo of its kind, announced recently its partnership with Wizard World Philly. Now, VGXPO will expand its relationship to include Chicago Comic-Con and Big Apple Con, as well. “Our partnership provides VGXPO with the ability to rapidly grow our footprint from Philadelphia to Chicago and now New York City,” he said. “We look forward to working and sharing our passion for video games with all the fans in New York.”
Michael Carbonaro, the longtime and current producer of the show, will continue to provide his limitless creativity and enthusiasm to the show.
Exhibitors will need to act fast, though, as Big Apple Con has been sold out for years. Those wishing to be a part of this exciting event should contact:
Show Manager – Benji DeJohn – bdejohn@wizardent.com (440) 567-0801
Media Contact – Joe Favorito – fatherknickerbocker1@yahoo.com (917) 566-8345
3 Comments
So what the hell is it with Wizard these days, anyway? I signed-up on their message boards recently, apparently just as some really heavy doo-doo was hitting the fan. Staffers were beginning to post some personal thoughts on the matter, and apparently what happened was some gun-nut took over as EIC(or a similar position) and drove everyone crazy. Wizard is apparently even publishing(or were for a brief time) some wacky “Soldier of Fortune” magazine just to sate this guy’s love of all things that go BANG! And that’s where some of the more recognizable names from Wizard were being let go, as the general mood and atmosphere around there went to all levels of insane.
Keep in mind, this is all message board chatter, but it’s chatter coming from Wizard staffers, former or otherwise, themselves. All I know is, the quality of the mag has gone downhill since the format change(where they went from comic-sized magazine to standard-sized), and the website has barely been updated since the end of February. I’m thinking Wizard’s days are more or less numbered.
Thankfully I found this website…It does a better Wizard than Wizard. :)
It’s also a strange thing b/c Wizard already has a pretty good and usually well attended show in Philly. Why do they need one in NYC, competing with NYCC, which did very well a couple months ago in spite of the tough economy? Big Apple Con was not well run and a good 2nd mainstream convention in NYC (there’s already the MoCCA-fest for indie comics) could be cool but why put it in the same month??? Makes no sense. Crash and burn…..
I’ve been going to their Philly show for the last two years, and with a totally lack luster guest list for this year’s con there isn’t much confidence for 09. I’m not the only one who suspects that this may be the last year for the ‘con. There are more has been wrassler’s and worn down divas than creators. Not even Joey Q has committed to the show yet …