amount of revenue that is generated into city and local businesses. The San Diego area is so well suited to being the host city I can’ t really see it moving. The temperature stayed in the mid 70’ s when the Orange County and LA Areas were in the upper 90’ s, and in addition San Diego bends over backwards making a mass transit system work for this event.
Most people who don’ t attend this gigantic event can’ t even fathom the size of it. The Convention Center itself is roughly 16 acres of convention floor space, a second floor of meeting rooms and outside open areas, a third floor of conference rooms, an atrium, along with a scenic outside area. This entire area is full of vendors, celebrities and their booths, party catering areas, and 135,000 visitors. The convention hosts about 2100 panels from small to very large that have some fans waiting in lines overnight to attend those which have a first come, first serve policy for entrance to the event. In addition, several area hotel complexes, their parking areas, Petco Park, Gaslamp Quarter bars and restaurants also host formal activities attached to Comic-Con. It probably totally covers a 10 block area. I’ m always amazed when a fan who knows I’ m covering the convention asks me to try to see a particular celebrity or event. All I can do is say that I will try, but no promises.
This year’ s Comic-Con was not a letdown in the celebrities that could be seen, the panels offered, information and fan experiences that could be taken in for your favorite movie or television series of the past, present, and yes, even those coming up into the future. You can also take part in talking to and even interacting with authors, directors, actors, musicians, special effects artists, prop designers, and manufacturers. There are also hundreds of vendors selling everything from comic-books( new and old), costumes, autographs, celebrity pictures, and actual movie props.
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