The Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo (commonly shortened to Calgary Expo) is an annual comic and pop culture convention taking place in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The show originally began in 2006 as a comic book convention, before moving on in 2009 to include actors from television shows and movies. Starting in 2006, the convention has quickly become the second largest convention in Canada. The convention originally began in the BMO Centre before expanding in 2013 across the whole Stampede Park, and in 2014 additionally creating an extra tent for panels.
The convention became famous for having reunited the cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation for the shows 25th anniversary in 2012, and two years later, reuniting nearly the entire cast of Aliens. In addition, a cosplay parade, which begins at Eau Claire, and finishes at Olympic Plaza, which began in 2013 with over 400 participants, and continued in 2014 with 690.
On October 16, 2017, it was announced that the Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo and sister Edmonton Comic and Entertainment Expo had been acquired by Fan Expo Canada.
Video Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo
Programming
The convention offers an extensive range of panels that take place in locations throughout the park. In addition to the exhibitors' hall taking place in BMO halls A-C, and celebrity autograph sessions taking place in D and E, multiple conference rooms throughout the BMO such as the Palomino room host smaller panels. Bigger names will often also have their panels in the Stampede Corral, and some also taking place in the Boyce Theatre. In addition to the regular panels which last 45 minutes, 2012 and 2014 included special, extended panels often labeled as "EXPOsed", which typically last from an hour to two hours long. These have ranged from concert-type panels to discussion panels.
Maps Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo
Controversy
2012 overselling incident
In 2012, the convention had gotten even bigger, with the cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation having been announced, and ticket sales skyrocketing. On Saturday of 2012, the venue had reached past the maximum capacity, with an estimated attendance having been projected as 45,000. The venue had exceeded capacity, and at 13:00 the Fire Marshall was called; it was deemed safe for 100 people to be admitted every 15 minutes. Many people were turned away and not let into the venue. Despite this, Expo staff had issued a statement claiming the convention was not oversold, and they hadn't been charged because no violations took place.
A week later, the organizers issued a refund plan for people who were not admitted. In 2013, the organizers announced that to prevent a similar event from taking place, no onsite sales would take place.
Other events
In 2012, the organizers of the Calgary Expo first held a spin-off in Edmonton, Edmonton Comic and Entertainment Expo, which is hosted by the Edmonton Expo Centre. The inaugural edition hosted 15,000, expanding to 40,000 by 2016.
In 2014, the organizers began a partnership with the Saskatoon Entertainment Expo first held in 2013, which was re-branded as the Saskatoon Comic and Entertainment Expo. It was not included in the acquisition by Fan Expo Canada and as of 2018 has returned to independent status, re-branding itself the Saskatchewan Entertainment Expo.
Starting in 2016, Calgary Expo began their annual Calgary Expo Holiday Market which featured many vendors from Calgary Expo. The holiday market is advertised as a market in which gifts such as comic books, art, toys, and various other gifts from popular culture can be bought. As well, the market also allowed for photos with Santa, with donations going to charity.
References
External links
- Official Website
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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