Post by G on May 22, 2008 12:12:20 GMT -5
I dont know if you have them where you are, but its been at least 10 years since I went to a Mall Convention. What happened to them? I know the great bust years of the mid to late 90s pretty much dried them out, but why havent these come back at all? I would figure once in awhile someone would give it another shot. I hate having to travel 100 miles to the nearest convention when I used to have them in my own back yard.
So maybe Mall Conventions I take it arent as profitable as say Hotel Conventions. I can buy that. But, one thing Mall Conventions may do that Hotel Conventions dont. Mall Conventions have everyday shoppers passing by. Perhaps someone who has nothing to do with comics stops and looks and maybe even buys. Or has children seeing the excitement and wants Mommy or Daddy to buy them some. Perhaps a new fan of comics is born.
With Hotel Conventions, just the typical Comic Nut goes. Hardly any chance a passer by will stop in and look around.
With Mall Conventions, they cant help to at least look that way where the comics are. They may not stop. But it is in their face.
It used to be I could count on a Mall Convention every 2 - 3 months where I lived. Now I havent been to one in over 10 years!
Another thing is, if a Mall Convention happened again, I may be willing to try my hand at it. I used to love to do conventions. Even if I hardly made any money at it, I always had a pretty good time. Naturally, if I was making money....I had an even better time. It was also good to get camaraderie with other dealers as sometimes they were your best customers or trades. Even a break even or barely made money show wasnt a bad experience.
Im sure the natural easy answer is....Money. I guess Malls arent economical for conventions anymore. And maybe dealer turn out is another issue. If you dont get enough dealers attending, you dont have enough to foot the Mall bill.
I dont have an easy answer for this. But, its one of the big things I miss about the old days. And its where I cut my teeth in comics from the other side of the table. It was a fantastic experience for me and I just miss them.
Are Mall Conventions a thing of the past?
So maybe Mall Conventions I take it arent as profitable as say Hotel Conventions. I can buy that. But, one thing Mall Conventions may do that Hotel Conventions dont. Mall Conventions have everyday shoppers passing by. Perhaps someone who has nothing to do with comics stops and looks and maybe even buys. Or has children seeing the excitement and wants Mommy or Daddy to buy them some. Perhaps a new fan of comics is born.
With Hotel Conventions, just the typical Comic Nut goes. Hardly any chance a passer by will stop in and look around.
With Mall Conventions, they cant help to at least look that way where the comics are. They may not stop. But it is in their face.
It used to be I could count on a Mall Convention every 2 - 3 months where I lived. Now I havent been to one in over 10 years!
Another thing is, if a Mall Convention happened again, I may be willing to try my hand at it. I used to love to do conventions. Even if I hardly made any money at it, I always had a pretty good time. Naturally, if I was making money....I had an even better time. It was also good to get camaraderie with other dealers as sometimes they were your best customers or trades. Even a break even or barely made money show wasnt a bad experience.
Im sure the natural easy answer is....Money. I guess Malls arent economical for conventions anymore. And maybe dealer turn out is another issue. If you dont get enough dealers attending, you dont have enough to foot the Mall bill.
I dont have an easy answer for this. But, its one of the big things I miss about the old days. And its where I cut my teeth in comics from the other side of the table. It was a fantastic experience for me and I just miss them.
Are Mall Conventions a thing of the past?
Although I do remember baseball cards and toys of interest at various peoples tables.
