Post by The Ultimate Nullifier on Jun 24, 2014 7:23:46 GMT -6
www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/news/2014/06/23/wizard-world-comic-con-draws-thousands-but-not-big.html?page=all
The 14th iteration of the Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con wrapped up Sunday, drawing thousands of attendees dressed up as superheroes like Spider-Man and Wolverine, or characters like Elsa from Pixar’s “Frozen.”
But, despite drawing tens of thousands of pop culture enthusiasts each day at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, the four-day event may not be as big such a big driver of economic impact to Philadelphia, especially when compared to other citywide conventions and conferences.
This year’s Comic Con is projected to generate $5.9 million in economic impact, according to Deirdre Childress Hopkins, strategic communications manager for the Convention Center. In contrast, the American Industrial Hygiene Association is projected to bring in $16.2 million in economic impact to the city when its 6,000-attendee conference comes back into town in 2018.
“Shows like the [Philadelphia] Flower Show and Comic Con do have economic impact, but it’s not as significant as some of the citywides,” said Pete Peterson, spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority.
Citywide conventions refer to conventions that are planned years in advance. These bookings are bigger drivers of economic impact because they’re designed to fill hotel room nights by way of organizers partnering with restaurants and hotels in order to hold individual meetings or receptions. Citywide conventions generally generate between $10 million and $30 million in economic impact.
Events like Comic Con, on the other hand, are dubbed “gate shows” or ticketed events, and are short-term sales for the Convention Center. That is, they’re scheduled to fill in those need areas, or vacancies, in the center between each citywide event.
But, just because Comic Con doesn’t generate as much economic impact as other conventions, Peterson said it doesn’t make them any less of a priority.
“You never want [the center] to be vacant. There are periods where there may be lulls in events, and we’re always looking to keep the center filled and active and bring people into the city,” Peterson said.
And, although projections show that ticketed events such as Comic Con may not have as much of an economic impact as the citywide events do, those who decide to hold booths during the events – selling comics, toys, clothes and movies – see a growth in business.
“There’s no better business model other than the Comic Cons,” said Adam Simon, screenwriter and actor, who was working with artist Rob Prior at the event. “Because you come face-to-face with the fans. You come face-to-face with the people that love your product.”
Furthermore, Simon said: “Social media is important, but it’s still important to get out and get one-on-one, personal contact with the fans.”
Simon said he and Prior received 6,000 unique “likes” from people on Facebook just by holding a booth during Wizard World Atlanta Comic Con between May 30 and June 1.
“That’s 6,000 people I had one-on-one contact with that have come out, building not only the business, but building the brand an talking to people,” Simon said. “Even in the age of social media, everything comes down to that person-to-person contact.”
Furthermore, Simon said he and Prior work with local businesses in order to “bring business back to the community that houses the Con.”
The 14th iteration of the Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con wrapped up Sunday, drawing thousands of attendees dressed up as superheroes like Spider-Man and Wolverine, or characters like Elsa from Pixar’s “Frozen.”
But, despite drawing tens of thousands of pop culture enthusiasts each day at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, the four-day event may not be as big such a big driver of economic impact to Philadelphia, especially when compared to other citywide conventions and conferences.
This year’s Comic Con is projected to generate $5.9 million in economic impact, according to Deirdre Childress Hopkins, strategic communications manager for the Convention Center. In contrast, the American Industrial Hygiene Association is projected to bring in $16.2 million in economic impact to the city when its 6,000-attendee conference comes back into town in 2018.
“Shows like the [Philadelphia] Flower Show and Comic Con do have economic impact, but it’s not as significant as some of the citywides,” said Pete Peterson, spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority.
Citywide conventions refer to conventions that are planned years in advance. These bookings are bigger drivers of economic impact because they’re designed to fill hotel room nights by way of organizers partnering with restaurants and hotels in order to hold individual meetings or receptions. Citywide conventions generally generate between $10 million and $30 million in economic impact.
Events like Comic Con, on the other hand, are dubbed “gate shows” or ticketed events, and are short-term sales for the Convention Center. That is, they’re scheduled to fill in those need areas, or vacancies, in the center between each citywide event.
But, just because Comic Con doesn’t generate as much economic impact as other conventions, Peterson said it doesn’t make them any less of a priority.
“You never want [the center] to be vacant. There are periods where there may be lulls in events, and we’re always looking to keep the center filled and active and bring people into the city,” Peterson said.
And, although projections show that ticketed events such as Comic Con may not have as much of an economic impact as the citywide events do, those who decide to hold booths during the events – selling comics, toys, clothes and movies – see a growth in business.
“There’s no better business model other than the Comic Cons,” said Adam Simon, screenwriter and actor, who was working with artist Rob Prior at the event. “Because you come face-to-face with the fans. You come face-to-face with the people that love your product.”
Furthermore, Simon said: “Social media is important, but it’s still important to get out and get one-on-one, personal contact with the fans.”
Simon said he and Prior received 6,000 unique “likes” from people on Facebook just by holding a booth during Wizard World Atlanta Comic Con between May 30 and June 1.
“That’s 6,000 people I had one-on-one contact with that have come out, building not only the business, but building the brand an talking to people,” Simon said. “Even in the age of social media, everything comes down to that person-to-person contact.”
Furthermore, Simon said he and Prior work with local businesses in order to “bring business back to the community that houses the Con.”