This year I went to WonderCon for the first time and it was a good experience. It was like Comic-Con but laid-back, easy to move around, and an all-around fun time. It's also a good venue for studios who want to give their big movies a boost without getting lost in the Comic-Con shuffle or if the flick comes out in between WonderCon and Comic-Con. Unfortunately, San Francisco residents who like to attend WonderCon have to miss a year unless they want to drive down to the Con's temporary home of Anaheim, California. Comic-Con International has just sent out a press release announcing that due to renovations at the Moscone Center, the convention will be held March 16 – 18th at a yet-to-be-announced venue. This change will also move ReedPop's C2E2 to a date TBA while Wizard World will postpone its April 2012 show.
But San Francisco folks shouldn't be too disheartened. If you still really want to go, it's a seven-hour drive away (not great, but not ridiculous) and WonderCon will presumably return to San Fran in 2013. Hit the jump for the full press release.
Here's the press release:
WonderCon to Be Held in Anaheim, CA, March 16-18, 2012
C2E2 and Wizard World to Accommodate Change
San Diego – WonderCon, part of Comic-Con International’s (CCI) family of conventions, today announced that the 2012 show will be held March 16-18, and Anaheim, California, will play host to the long-running comics and popular arts convention. San Francisco’s Moscone Center, WonderCon’s traditional venue, will undergo renovations in early 2012, leaving the 25-year-old show in the unenviable position of either being canceled or finding a new venue.
In a move to help alleviate an overcrowded calendar, ReedPop’s C2E2, which has been waiting to announce dates for its own show in March 2012, will now seek alternative dates while Wizard World has announced that it will postpone its April 2012 Anaheim show.
“It certainly was not our wish to move,” commented David Glanzer, director of marketing and public relations for the nonprofit event. “However, when faced with the prospect of canceling the show for a year or moving locations, after careful consideration we decided to keep WonderCon on the 2012 calendar at a venue that could accommodate our needs.”
“We fully understand the challenges of trying to secure dates at any venue, let alone one undergoing renovation,” said Lance Fensterman, Group Vice President of ReedPop. “In an effort to minimize the impact on exhibitors and attendees we are currently looking to shift C2E2 from our traditional March dates.”
Gareb Shamus, CEO of Wizard World offered a unique solution to offset any potential conflict for fans and exhibitors: “All of us who produce conventions know securing dates can often be a frustrating experience especially when you find yourself having to move to a new city.” Shamus continued, “Because of their long history, Wizard World has decided to accommodate WonderCon and postpone our April 2012 Anaheim show.”
“We appreciate the efforts of Lance and Gareb for going above and beyond in making the WonderCon transition more manageable,” said Glanzer.