Over the past year, Comic-Con International has been debating moving San Diego Comic-Con to another city. On the list were Los Angeles, Anaheim, and Las Vegas. The reason they were considering moving out of San Diego was very simple: space. Due to how popular the Convention is, San Diego Comic-Con now sells out months in advance and it's almost impossible to get a hotel room near the convention. For many fans that want to attend, they're left in the cold.
But after careful consideration, Comic-Con International has just announced they are staying in San Diego through 2015. The reason for the announcement is their contract with San Diego ran out in 2012. No word yet what this means past 2015, but I'd imagine unless something crazy happens, it's safe to assume San Diego Comic-Con isn't going anywhere. Hit the jump for the press release we were just sent. Are you happy they're staying in San Diego?
Comic-Con to Stay in San Diego
Organization considered other California cities to accommodate growing demand
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.