Thoughts on Wiz World conventions? Options

[MasonEasley]

I'm considering setting up at Wizworld Ohio. I didn't really attend last year, and it's my hometown con. My main issue is that I've been hearing negative things about it. Some friends of mine have told me that it's a poor show for artists, and that the convention space itself is way too small. Table prices have ballooned since the days it was called the Mid-Ohio Con. When I first set up in 2008, a table was $125 for two days. Now it's $300 for three days.

I will be attending Cincinnati Comic Expo the week before, and it's table cost is $125 for two days. Though that is a far better price, I do have to consider that at Wiz World Ohio, I won't have to pay for travel or hotel costs.

In the end, I'm going to have to make a decision. Does anyone here have any experience with Wiz World Ohio or Wiz World conventions in general? Any information about the crowds at those shows would be extremely helpful.

[Greg G.]

Can't speak as an exhibitor, but a lot of the indie folks I spoke to didn't seem to mind / notice the change of ownership. I was pleased to see returning faces from 2010 and new faces in the indie alley.

However they moved the show to a different room in the convention center. It was a two level room, and from what I was told / overheard at the last minute they changed the floor plan to make it "easier" for visitors to navigate by packing everybody into one floor. It was a nicer area than the previous room, but with everything packed in there it was a bit of a pain for visitors and artists / exhibitors to get out from behind their table. Artists were going over / under their tables, and others would have to walk down the line to get to a proper exit.

If they can get the layout under control, it could be a great show. At least continue the tradition of the Henry brothers. Wizard is bringing new faces to Ohio, assuming they don't cancel like Liefield did, and old favorites are returning. I'm wondering if the Henry brothers still have some input / connection to this?

It was in the Grand Battelle room from what I can see on the gallery page. Indie artists were near the giant window.

My gut reaction when I heard about this in 2010 was "F Wizard!", but after last year my fears as a con goer were allayed.

This post has been edited by Greg G.: Jul 23 2012, 06:57 PM

[MasonEasley]

Can't speak as an exhibitor, but a lot of the indie folks I spoke to didn't seem to mind / notice the change of ownership. I was pleased to see returning faces from 2010 and new faces in the indie alley.

However they moved the show to a different room in the convention center. It was a two level room, and from what I was told / overheard at the last minute they changed the floor plan to make it "easier" for visitors to navigate by packing everybody into one floor. It was a nicer area than the previous room, but with everything packed in there it was a bit of a pain for visitors and artists / exhibitors to get out from behind their table. Artists were going over / under their tables, and others would have to walk down the line to get to a proper exit.

If they can get the layout under control, it could be a great show. At least continue the tradition of the Henry brothers. Wizard is bringing new faces to Ohio, assuming they don't cancel like Liefield did, and old favorites are returning. I'm wondering if the Henry brothers still have some input / connection to this?

It was in the Grand Battelle room from what I can see on the gallery page. Indie artists were near the giant window.

My gut reaction when I heard about this in 2010 was "F Wizard!", but after last year my fears as a con goer were allayed.

Thanks for the reply Greg.

What's your opinion about the higher table prices?

[Greg G.]

That's up to you really.

If you stay a a Motel 6 or some place cheap, eat cheap, and get deals on gas you could possibly keep the costs below $300 if you go to the Cincinnati show? Plus factor in the stress of driving, wear and tear on your person, and how that will affect your performance at the show.

Where do you think you'll get more traffic?

If I had a decent show in my own back yard and wares to hawk, I would go to the show in my own backyard to save some money. Then again anything you could save on the Cincinnati show could be lost on the cost of attending the Wizard show? Without disclosing your take away from a convention, it's six of one, half dozen of another.

[Greg G.]

What size are the tables at the Wizard show for Artists Alley? Are they the standard eight foot?

Have you looked into splitting the costs with someone? That's what I would do. Like the olden days of pooling with other nerds to pay for a hotel at a con.

[MasonEasley]

What size are the tables at the Wizard show for Artists Alley? Are they the standard eight foot?

Have you looked into splitting the costs with someone? That's what I would do. Like the olden days of pooling with other nerds to pay for a hotel at a con.

They should be. I'm more concerned about the cramped size of the aisles. If people have a tough time getting through, I may lose business.

I'm not splitting tables. In my experience splitting tables hurts your overall profits for a variety of reasons.

[Cary]

I've always had a good deal of success at the Wizard shows. Fact is they bring in the traffic, and the folks who show up tend to really dig Indie books, at least from what I've seen.

[MasonEasley]

I've always had a good deal of success at the Wizard shows. Fact is they bring in the traffic, and the folks who show up tend to really dig Indie books, at least from what I've seen.

That's good to hear. I may be able to get the fourth issue of PSK out in time for the convention.

[zoldak88]

If I may add something, I would just like to say I have been doing media for cons for my business for a while and have had a few tables as well. The price increase to me doesn't seem horrible to me for the traffic it brings especially for all 3 days. Since its local to you as well it would fair better then Cinc. I live in Northeast Ohio and I'm trekking over to Chicago Comic Con also ran by wizard to do media, so I will let you know how that goes. I have never been to a wizard ran convention just normal anime ones such as Ohayocon (January) and Youmacon (Nov.) Ohayocon is in the same location as the wizworld one and they have the dealer room downstairs and the upper floor was all for artists alley which was awesome. It was very open for foot traffic. I hit every booth last year with ease!

Just thought I would put my two cents in. Is anyone else going to the Chicago Comic Con?


Cameron Zoldak
Host of GamerChatWeekly on the CR network
Media for ugrgaming.com

[MasonEasley]

If I may add something, I would just like to say I have been doing media for cons for my business for a while and have had a few tables as well. The price increase to me doesn't seem horrible to me for the traffic it brings especially for all 3 days. Since its local to you as well it would fair better then Cinc. I live in Northeast Ohio and I'm trekking over to Chicago Comic Con also ran by wizard to do media, so I will let you know how that goes. I have never been to a wizard ran convention just normal anime ones such as Ohayocon (January) and Youmacon (Nov.) Ohayocon is in the same location as the wizworld one and they have the dealer room downstairs and the upper floor was all for artists alley which was awesome. It was very open for foot traffic. I hit every booth last year with ease!

Just thought I would put my two cents in. Is anyone else going to the Chicago Comic Con?

Thanks Cameron. I appreciate your insight.

I went ahead and signed up for WizWorld Ohio. So thanks for the feedback.

And Cameron, please let me know how Chicago turns out. Thanks.

[zoldak88]

Thanks Cameron. I appreciate your insight.

I went ahead and signed up for WizWorld Ohio. So thanks for the feedback.

And Cameron, please let me know how Chicago turns out. Thanks.

I sure will. I'm doing media down there so I'll post the video link on here when its done as well. =D

[Gonzogoose]

So did you all have a good time at the show?

[MasonEasley]

Well, Cincinnati was pretty solid, though not as strong for me as Derby City and Ohayocon. I sold quite a few of my comics and that was pretty encouraging considering that issue 4 is almost done.

A lot of people were selling prints at the show. I think we may be heading to a saturation point in terms of people going to shows and picking up mini-posters. While I will continue to sell fan art prints, I'm going to diversify my offerings next year, and really push my comic and things associated with it.

As for Wiz World Ohio, I've been hearing some interesting things. Either way, the show begins Friday, so its going to be interesting to see what develops.

This post has been edited by MasonEasley: Sep 26 2012, 10:56 AM

[MasonEasley]

Alright, so WizWorld is over, and it was a decent con for me. However, I don't think I'll be returning next year if the setup is similar. For one, the table cost is just way too high. Granted, you get a good crowd, but a good portion of that crowd is there for the media guest, which in turn is the material that most people are buying.

So, on the positive side, I made more than enough to cover the table cost, and I made a tidy profit. I also got a chance to try my new marker style on commissions, which was a lot of fun, and I got a chance to meet some great artists from around the region.

On the negative side, there was way too many media guests, the table cost was just way too high for that show, and it just didn't feel like a comic con to me.

I may return if the table cost drops back down to $200. However, I seriously doubt that's going to happen.

[Greg G.]

Oof!

Sounds like Wizard is Wizarding up Mid Ohio Con. I had to take a pass on it due to tight finances and other irons in fires that need tending. I would have loved to meet Alan Davis again.

How was the floor laid out this year? Did they make use of the upper perimeter of the hall they were in?

[MasonEasley]

Oof!

Sounds like Wizard is Wizarding up Mid Ohio Con. I had to take a pass on it due to tight finances and other irons in fires that need tending. I would have loved to meet Alan Davis again.

How was the floor laid out this year? Did they make use of the upper perimeter of the hall they were in?

The floor layout was fine. There was plenty of space between tables, and the con didn't feel claustrophobic.

You mentioned Alan Davis, it's important to note that I forgot him and Neal Adams was there because of the numerous announcements of C-list actors present at the show.