Why I Love The Calgary Comic & Entertainment Expo

Comics News
Why I Love The Calgary Comic & Entertainment Expo
By Hervé St-Louis
Apr 26, 2009 - 2:00

The Calgary Comic & Entertainment Expo is an annual event that started in 2006 by organizer Kandrix Foong. In a few brief years, it has become the largest comic book convention in Western Canada and possibly the second biggest event after Toronto's summer Fan Expo. Last year, the Comic Book Bin did a video interview of Foong and several others exhibitors and guests. We're hoping to finally get these uploaded as well as new material based on this year's event.

The event follows a lot of what I theorized in an article on comic book conventions. It really is an event that brings the entire community together. There are tons of kids in strollers, teens and women in attendance. Artists are not necessarily pushed on the edges of the floor, and vendors have a place to sell their products. The promotion efforts for the Calgary Con are impressive. While last year, Calgarians were treated to posters of nerds going to the convention in a bid to show that more than geeks could attend, this year, impressive posters could be found all over the city, particularly in the Calgary Transit network. Advertising on the billboards of main light train stations, like those downtown or at University station must have cost the Calgary Con an arm and a leg, but it was the best way to inform a large segment of the population of the event. The Calgary Comic convention is channelling some of the best features of conventions like San Diego's. It makes a comic book convention a big part of the city's cultural events.

Interior art from the art book

It also attracts participants and visitors from all over the province and Canada. Ideally placed in April, before the summer madness, but not at the same time as large events like the Stumptown Comics Fest or the New York Comic Con, the Calgary event is the perfect break for creators wishing to do some convention touring before the madness of the summer begins.

This year, the two day format allows visitors and exhibitors to come at any of the two days, putting less strain on people's schedules.

In terms of marketing the Calgary Con team have some great features. I have to say that I just love the press lanyard that they gave me. It's not one of those cheap lanyards that you throw away. It's got the logo of the convention in a small display case and is made of sturdy material. Moreover, Foong had many of the exhibitors provide material for a book of pin ups themed after Calgary and the convention. For those who thought that Calgary lacked culture, they may be surprised to see that even artists from out of town have a way of viewing Calgary. The book is available for sale at many of the artists' booth, and at the Calgary Comic & Entertainment Expo's Web site.

The 2009 art book

One of the best aspects of the Calgary comic book convention is that it's centrally located near the main convention centre of the city, directly linked to a light rail train station, and many bars and restaurants nearby. Thankfully, the Calgary Flames' game versus the Chicago Blackhawks was not played locally. Otherwise, it would have created a deluge of comic book fans and hockey fans celebrating comics, science fiction and Canada's favourite game! Didn't stop this reporter to stop into a local pub near the convention centre, with friends and enjoy a cool cold beer, while hauling tons of action figures and watching the Calgary Flames on a big screen. I won't mention how the game play went!