WIZARD CANCELS WIZARDWORLD BOSTON

**MattBrady** · 02-02-2006, 08:47 AM

Coming as a somewhat expected announcement, Wizard Conventions has officially cancelled its Boston show for 2006. The show had already been scheduled and listed on Wizard’s convention plans for October 6th – 8th.

At the WizardWorld Boston minisite, the company’s official announcement reads:

After speaking to our exhibitors and partners, all of whom shared our concerns about the outside costs of doing business at this time, Wizard World Boston has been cancelled. This is an industry decision, and we want to do what’s best for the industry.

We are thankful to the 8,800 fans that attended last year’s event and hope to return to Boston in the near future. We’re now focused on making sure that our other scheduled 2006 events in L.A., Philly, Chicago and Texas are the best Wizard World shows ever.

At 8,800 fans, the debut show was one of Wizard’s lowest attended of 2005 – Chicago saw a reported 56,000; and Philadelphia a reported 27,000. The company did not release figures for Dallas 2005 (which saw a reported 12,000 fans in 2004). The removal of Boston takes Wizard back to its 2004 schedule of four shows (LA, Philadelphia, Chicago, and Dallas). Though not an official Wizard Conventions show, the company formed a marketing relationship with Reed Exhibitions earlier this year, giving Wizard a sponsorship of the upcoming New York Comic Con.

It should also be noted that the official cancellation of WizardWorld Boston is the company’s second “cancellation” of a convention for 2006. During last years’ San Diego Comic Con, Wizard was telling retailers and potential exhibitors of a planned Atlanta show, which was to be held at Atlanta’s Cobb Galleria on the last weekend of June, the same weekend as Heroes Convention in Charlotte, NC, roughly 300 miles to the east.

Though Wizard denied that anything was planned and that talk of an Atlanta show was “rumor and speculation,” officials at the Cobb confirmed for Newsarama that Wizard was slated for a show that weekend, and the schedule of shows, which included Atlanta, were being distributed by Wizard Conventions staffers, in an attempt to land exhibitors.

Many creators and fans rallied to Heroes Con’s side, and later, Wizard’s Gareb Shamus confirmed that there would be no Atlanta show for the company in 2006.

Though 2006’s conventions are just beginning (Wonder Con is next weekend), at through the course of last year’s season, many observers, in speaking with Newsarama on grounds of confidentiality, said that the overall convention schedule was reaching a breaking point, and that something (considering the schedule with increased fuel costs and other factors), sooner or later would have to give, and an adjustment would be coming.

In speaking with the website www.comicbookconventions.com, Wizard Conventions' Martha Donato said that the company has no plans at this time to fill the vacancy on its schedule, though they are always looking for "new cities and new opportunities for our exhibitors."

Jack Burton · 02-02-2006, 09:00 AM

Son of a.........

Foenix · 02-02-2006, 09:04 AM

Well, that's a bummer.

It was nice to have a relatively big con practically in my backyard. Easy to get to, accomodations, and knowing the area.

J

sequart · 02-02-2006, 09:08 AM

Maybe because the NY Comic Con is so close in distance...??

Who knows. This is sad news for Bean Towners

**MattBrady** · 02-02-2006, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by sequart
Maybe because the NY Comic Con is so close in distance...??

but ten months earlier.

MattB

Vyper · 02-02-2006, 09:16 AM

Gaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!!

pmpknface · 02-02-2006, 09:19 AM

CRAP CRAP CRAP CRAP CRAP!!!!!!!!!!!

sequart · 02-02-2006, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Maybe because the NY Comic Con is so close in distance...??

Quote:

Originally posted by MattBrady
but ten months earlier.

MattB

Yeah, I thought about that, but I was just trying to figre Wizard out... I guess it must be purely about the lack of heads turning out previously.

VinnyPic · 02-02-2006, 09:22 AM

As Someone who attended WizardWorld Boston, let me tell you this:

It Sucked.

It wasn't as good as Philly. There just wasn't as much going on.

I spent the entire weekend in
Artists Alley or the Heroclix section.

The event programming was gah-bage. Not what I expect from the "premiere pop-culture conventions" in the world.

Contrast it with Philly, where like it or not, THINGS HAPPEN.

There was nothing earth-shattering at Boston.

The only thing of interest was Joe Da Q giving me directions to an ATM machine.

wolverine081 · 02-02-2006, 09:35 AM

Sad for Boston but you're all welcome in Philly.

Mercury · 02-02-2006, 09:41 AM

I keep telling you guys; organize the first ever Newsarama Members Convention. Just imagine all the fun and hi-jinks that would ensue when we all hang out and meet face-to-face.

ParisCub · 02-02-2006, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mercury
I keep telling you guys; organize the first ever Newsarama Members Convention. Just imagine all the fun and hi-jinks that would ensue when we all hang out and meet face-to-face.

You mean 50 people all bitching about Marvel and DC?

Agent Wax · 02-02-2006, 09:47 AM

I hit up Wizard World Chicago a few years back and it was incredible, then this past summer, i hit up Boston..........and it sucked.
It was half the size, with half the stuff, so many vendors were just out of their convention items, so it was just a very watered down version.
the coolest part was that it was so close to where i live.
ah well, i guess i better start planning to head to Chi Town again.
-Wax-
xxx

vjamesv · 02-02-2006, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by MattBrady
but ten months earlier.

MattB

or two months later?

NotAnIssue · 02-02-2006, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ParisCub
You mean 50 people all bitching about Marvel and DC?

More like 12 people with multiple aliases.
But 3 times the bitching per person!

BlueThunderArmy · 02-02-2006, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by NotAnIssue
More like 12 people with multiple aliases.
But 3 times the bitching per person!

This is my only alias...

unless I'm really Mike Miller.

**MattBrady** · 02-02-2006, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by vjamesv
or two months later?

you mean four. October to February (if there's a NYCC in 2007) is four months, whereas February to October is ten.

MattB

evilelvis696 · 02-02-2006, 09:59 AM

Too many cons as it is., and not enough fans reading comics. Sounds like the right move to me. Dallas will be next to go.

Davy · 02-02-2006, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by MattBrady
you mean four. October to February (if there's a NYCC in 2007) is four months, whereas February to October is ten.

MattB

Uh, where I live there are only eight months between Feb and October. Your milage may vary.

Davy

defjoe · 02-02-2006, 10:10 AM

Not too surprised. Boston loses EVERYTHING! what do they expect when it's $16 a day to park. If it's that much just to park (and that is for dealers and exhibitors too) imagine what it is to rent the place for this.

I was there in Artist Alley and was stoked cause I grew up in the Boston Area and they have tried in the past to get a big con going, but it always failed. I don't think it is because of lack of interest, just lack of money. The overhead is just too much for this type of industry.

GOSD · 02-02-2006, 10:19 AM

You guys forget that this was the first one in Boston. It was never given a chance to grow.

Bill Tortolini · 02-02-2006, 10:21 AM

This is/was my hometown show, I'm bummed they canceled it. The Boston area lacks ANY large convention for the industry - which is sad. Looks like a train ride to Philly is in store for me.

--b

Bill Tortolini · 02-02-2006, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by GOSD
You guys forget that this was the first one in Boston. It was never given a chance to grow.

I agree.

Saturday morning, the line to get in was wrapped all the way around the building, and the parking lots were full.

Also on another note, I know this may sound dumb, but it was also a Red Sox vs. Yankees weekend. And that in itself could have cut into the attendance with a night game friday, and a day game on saturday...

I wish they had let this grow.

Jack Burton · 02-02-2006, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bill Tortolini
I agree.

Saturday morning, the line to get in was wrapped all the way around the building, and the parking lots were full.

Also on another note, I know this may sound dumb, but it was also a Red Sox vs. Yankees weekend. And that in itself could have cut into the attendance with a night game friday, and a day game on saturday...

I wish they had let this grow.

I agree. I was there Friday morning and it was packed!

GOSD · 02-02-2006, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bill Tortolini
Also on another note, I know this may sound dumb, but it was also a Red Sox vs. Yankees weekend. And that in itself could have cut into the attendance with a night game friday, and a day game on saturday...

I wish they had let this grow.

That's one of the main reasons why I didn't go.