2013 Calgary Comic Expo Thread ! 3 days of Nerdom!

[photon]

The question is are they going to organize things better this year? Are people going to be able to buy tickets and not be turned away? Or decide to go with less than 2 months notice and still be able to get in?

[Bertuzzied]

Originally Posted by photon

The question is are they going to organize things better this year? Are people going to be able to buy tickets and not be turned away? Or decide to go with less than 2 months notice and still be able to get in?

They messed up big time last year because they sold single day tickets but didn't put a day to it. So of course everyone showed up on Saturday. This year single day tix will be for friday/sat/sun.

Also they rented the big four building too, so ALL the photo opps and ticket booths will be there.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by Bertuzzied

They messed up big time last year because they sold single day tickets but didn't put a day to it. So of course everyone showed up on Saturday. This year single day tix will be for friday/sat/sun.

Also they rented the big four building too, so ALL the photo opps and ticket booths will be there.

They have to fix that bottle neck between the show floor space and the Corral... that halfway was suffocating last year and lead to most of the problems.

[SebC]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

They have to fix that bottle neck between the show floor space and the Corral... that halfway was suffocating last year and lead to most of the problems.

Would be great if they could have the ticketing/admissions outside so that once you're in the building, you can use the main hallway to move around.

[Bertuzzied]

Originally Posted by SebC

Would be great if they could have the ticketing/admissions outside so that once you're in the building, you can use the main hallway to move around.

I'm pretty sure thats the plan.

[Bertuzzied]

Originally Posted by fotze

With the turnout, I don't see why they don't triple (or some other multiple) the price to get in.

I would! but the head guy is way too nice and too much of a fan to charge crazy pricing.

[chemgear]

Originally Posted by Bertuzzied

Why not? Unless they can get that other hbo midget guy.

Originally Posted by fotze

With the turnout, I don't see why they don't triple (or some other multiple) the price to get in.

Indeed they should. Keep all the riff-raff out.

[Julio]

Here are some answers to the questions asked above...from the FAQ at the Calgary expo website:

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: How will you be handling lines/crowds this year?


We have implemented a number of strategies to help manage the influx of people this year. Our floor plan, each year, is submitted to Stampede for approval, however, going forward the Calgary Fire Department will also be approving our plans to ensure the safety of all our attendees, guests, volunteers, and staff. Some of the other strategies which we are using are listed below.

• Admissions, Photo Ops, Food, Traditional Gaming, and the Kids Zone will be in the Big Four building. Moving the admissions to the Big Four means that we can now open up all the doors of the BMO Centre to use as entrances and exits. This also means that the hallway that goes around BMO now acts as a “ring road” to get around the convention. There will be no stopping, loitering, lining, or sitting in this hallway – it’s strictly for movement only. If you need to rest, you can head on over to the Food and Rest area which will also be in the Big Four building.
• We are utilizing a total of 370,000 sq feet (not including the Boyce, the Corral, or the Palomino) - which is an increase from 250,000 sq. ft.
• Purchasing your passes in advance will help to alleviate on site congestion - We will be given a hard capacity number from the Fire Marshal which directly effects how many tickets we can sell. Purchasing your tickets ahead of time guarantees you entry into the show. If you wait to purchase onsite then you run the risk of the show selling out. The more people who purchase ahead of time, the less people there are standing in the "onsite sales" line.
• More room in Halls D/E - we have expanded the media guest autograph area by moving the food and kids areas to the Big Four building. Last year, the guest area was 26,700 sq. ft. This year the guest area will be 32,500 sq. ft.
• Aisle areas: Aisles in the guest area have been expanded from 15' and 20' aisle widths to 20' and 30' aisle widths.
• One-way Breeze-way! The breeze-way between the Stampede Corral and Hall A will only allow for one way traffic. People exiting the Corral can exit via the main corral doors and into the BMO concourse to get back into the exhibitor hall.
• Signage, Signage, and more signage - We'll have lots of signage.
• Additional cell phone reception - The Calgary Stampede has set up an additional cell phone tower which will assist in onsite communications.
• External Security Company - We have hired an external security company to help in managing the lines and the crowds.
• The food and rest area has been increased to a minimum of 15,000 square feet - this is a 50% increase over last year.

Photo Ops:

• You will no longer need to line up ahead of time for your photo ops. Photo Ops are now sold per session as opposed to per guest. For example, you can opt to purchase a Stan Lee photo op for his Friday session, his Saturday session, or his Sunday session. There will be a limited amount of photo ops per session. Once a session sells out, you can purchase photo ops for the next available session, and once they all sell out, no more will be available.

• Photo Op space has been increased to the size of 40,000 square feet (last year we had 20,000 square feet).

• Photo Ops will be available to pre-purchase online (sale date TBD) - It is highly recommended that you purchase your photo ops in advance. If you wait to purchase on site then you run the risk of the session selling out. Onsite sales will be available in the Big Four area and in the BMO Centre.

• Only a limited amount of photo ops are available per session, therefore, you only need to line up for your photo op 5-15 minutes beforehand. Lining up more than 15 minutes prior to your photo op will result in security asking you to leave the area until it is time for your photo op.

• Please do not be late for your photo op - once the photo op line is finished the guests leave to go back to their autograph tables or to take breaks.

• Photos Op sessions are not interchangeable - in other words, if you've purchased a Friday photo op session with Stan Lee but decide to go on Saturday instead, you will not be able to use that photo op.

[Bertuzzied]

^ wow they set up an extra cell phone tower? big time.

[Bigtime]

That's an insane amount of space they are using now. This event has come a long way in a very short time.

[CaptainCrunch]

Looking at that guest list, I'm gonna have to make sure that I get down there.

[FlamesAllTheWay]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Looking at that guest list, I'm gonna have to make sure that I get down there.

Ya managed to get down there for the first time last year for one day just to see what it was all about. Between the BSG panel, video game music cover band (of which a resident CP member was a part of.. Hope they're back again) and the general atmosphere and exhibitors I wasn't dissapointed!

The misses must have noticed as well cause I got a 3 day pass for Christmas this year. So I've been checking the website pretty regularly for updates and am pretty happy with the improvements they plan to make to the layout, ticket sales etc!

Still waiting on the BSG and (seems like there's always been one) Firefly guest announcements though...

[FlamesAllTheWay]

Originally Posted by Bigtime

That's an insane amount of space they are using now. This event has come a long way in a very short time.

Last year during the BSG panel Aaron Douglas ("Chief") was asked if he'd come back to the Calgary Expo. He replied that he'd been to tons of comic expos all over North America. Out of all of them the Calgary one was by far the best because of how accommodating and how well the show treated all of its guests. He added if he were invited again he'd come back without a doubt.

I'm thinking celebrity word of mouth may also be a big reason why the show is growing as well. In a strange, nerdy sorta way it makes me proud to be a Calgarian!

[Bigtime]

I still have incredibly fond geek memories of the BSG panel with Edward James Olmos, that was all sorts of awesome. I think that was in 2009.

[Gundo]

I have never been into anything sci-if, fantasy or really comic related however I'm really looking forward to going to check this out. Any suggestions or recommendations for a first timer aside from dressing up in cosplay, I'm 6'3 260lbs I have the figure to pull off Sailor Moon but I just can't get the hair down.

[Bertuzzied]

Originally Posted by Gundo

I have never been into anything sci-if, fantasy or really comic related however I'm really looking forward to going to check this out. Any suggestions or recommendations for a first timer aside from dressing up in cosplay, I'm 6'3 260lbs I have the figure to pull off Sailor Moon but I just can't get the hair down.

You don't have to dress up. and some of the people going there shouldn't be in costume....

Bring awesome shoes!

[FlamesAllTheWay]

Carey Elwes (Princess Bride, Saw) and GIMLI, SON OF GLOIN a.k.a. Jon Rhys-Davies (Indy's buddy Sallah in Indiana Jones, Sliders) were announced over the past couple days.

Chris Sarandon was also in Princess Bride as Prince Humperdink. They should give Wallace "Never bet against a Sicilian when death is on the line!" Shawn a call and see if he'd attend. Too bad Andre the Giant isn't still around as well.

Guest list continues to impress!

[speede5]

OK, so I'm thinking this would be a cool thing to do with my kids. They are 10 and 12. Which day would be best, I think one day there would be enough for them. I think they'd be stoked to get apicture with Stan Lee, having seen all the marvel movies.

Thoughts?

[FlamesAllTheWay]

Originally Posted by speede5

OK, so I'm thinking this would be a cool thing to do with my kids. They are 10 and 12. Which day would be best, I think one day there would be enough for them. I think they'd be stoked to get apicture with Stan Lee, having seen all the marvel movies.

Thoughts?

Saturday or Sunday would probably be the same. Just make sure you check the website for guest availability as some only appear on certain days. I believe Stan Lee is there the whole weekend though. Also to book your photo op in advance.

Hope that helps!

[speede5]

I was thinking saturday would be fun, but busy. I don't think it would be too much fun for them if they are packed in like sardines.

Thanks