I Asked, You Answered: Some Folks Have Changed Their Con Plans Following Recent Economic Slowdown

In a note that was up briefly yesterday, I asked to hear from anyone that has changed their convention plans due to recent increases in the price of fuel, worries about same in the future, increased travel costs as a result, or the general economic slowdown expected to accompany higher oil prices. The post wasn't up long enough to be a responsible survey, but I did hear back from a smattering of regular readers.

Sean T. Collins has canceled plans to attend Heroes Con and Comic-Con International, and may end up skipping SPX if gas prices are where they might be this Fall. Lea Hernandez couldn't make a shorter trip cost effective so canceled her CCI plans and sold her hotel reservation. Greg McElhatton will vacation somewhere other than San Diego in order to maximize his leisure dollar. Eric Knisley has already paid for everything this year, but sees next year as a huge question mark due to economic conditions and the increasing unpleasantness of air travel. Russell Lissau has canceled his planned CCI trip and has bailed out on an appearance or two because of gas prices. Jill Friedman is going to skip a planned trip to CCI and isn't happy about travel costs to Atlanta and Dragon*Con. Scott Dunbier reports that Enrico from Red Sector Art in Italy won't be going to CCI because of the weak dollar and flight costs. He handles several artists' work.

It should be interesting to see how this plays out, both the level of pressure provided by the economy and the reaction of those in comics. I doubt that it will hit any of the summer shows as hard as it might the Fall shows and potentially into 2009 because a lot of the money that one must spend to go to San Diego has a good chance of already being spent -- most people don't wait until 55 days before a show to buy airplane tickets. If things continue to get more expensive or if the general economic outlook weakens, I think you could see one or two years of mostly regional con attendance. A lot of companies depend on having a chance to at least break even at comics show, so expenses are a big issue. Comics also has a lot of marginally employed people that simply may be priced out, which is actually the continuation of a general trend.
 
posted 8:05 am PST | Permalink
 

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