Comic-Con International To Stay In San Diego

Organizers for Comic-Con International: San Diego announced today plans to keep the mega convention in the city that gave it birth for what it calls “the foreseeable future.” In a press release sent out today, it was announced that the convention would stay in the city at least through 2015. Anyone who has attended the convention knows that the show has reached the maximum amount of people that can fit in the San Diego Convention Center, but with an expansion planned for the convention center, capacity should increase somewhat and we can expect even more people to be able to attend.

The big rumor for the last few years was that the city of San Diego and specifically the Convention Center could no longer hold the influx of people that attend the show, and that it would move to one of several competing cities. The most likely names thrown out as new locations were Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Anaheim, and some thought the move would be inevitable with the show gaining importance for Hollywood folks, and that it would be better suited for them if it was closer to LA.

However, it seems that an agreement has been reached with the city. More details will come on Friday October 1st when the San Diego Convention Center Corporation holds a press conference to make the announcement official. Here’s the press release below for full details.

SAN DIEGO — Comic-Con International: San Diego (Comic-Con), the largest comics convention of its kind in the world, today announced it will be staying in San Diego for the foreseeable future.

Comic-Con reached a self-imposed attendance limit at the San Diego Convention Center (SDCC) in 2007 and has had to cap attendance at approximately 125,000 people each year since. In looking at ways to better accommodate the growing demand from attendees and exhibitors, the nonprofit organization considered proposals for a move to larger facilities in Los Angeles or Anaheim after the expiration of its SDCC lease in 2012. This decision keeps Comic-Con in San Diego through 2015.

“We are grateful for the tireless efforts all three cities put into to their proposals,” said David Glanzer, Comic-Con’s director of marketing and public relations. “In the end, we feel this decision is the best for all those who attend Comic-Con and for the organization itself. We are happy that the community has worked with us to ensure that we remain here.”

Comic-Con was first held in 1970 at the U.S. Grant Hotel, where it attracted 300 people. As the event grew, subsequent homes included the downtown El Cortez Hotel in the 1970s and the San Diego Convention and Performing Arts Center in the 1980s. Comic-Con moved to the then newly built SDCC in 1991. Comic-Con celebrated its 41st year in 2010.

The San Diego Convention Center Corporation has scheduled a press conference for Friday, October 1 at 11:45 a.m. at Lobby E of the convention center.
About Comic-Con International:

Comic-Con International: San Diego (Comic-Con), the largest convention of its kind in the world, is a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to creating awareness of, and appreciation for, comics and related popular artforms, primarily through the presentation of conventions and events that celebrate the historic and ongoing contribution of comics to art and culture. In addition to its San Diego convention each summer, Comic-Con organizes the San Francisco–based WonderCon each spring and Alternative Press Expo each fall. On the web: Comic-Con.org, Facebook.com/comiccon, Twitter.com/comic_con.

I think this is a pretty good thing. I’ve been to the last couple SDCCs and part of the enjoyment of the show comes from being able to walk around the town and enjoy some of the beautiful scenery. I don’t know if it would be the same show if it was moved to Los Angeles. Hopefully the planned expansion will alleviate some of the crowd issues on the convention floor and more people will be able to experience the fun of the show.