It was only a matter of time before this convention was canceled. In recent years massive crowds of close to 200k people gather in sunny San Diego California to celebrate nerd culture. It started in 1970 at the U.S Grant hotel as a small gathering of comic book traders less than 200 people. Eventually reaching the San Diego convention center in 1979 with a crowd of over 6000 people. Now the show has even overgrown the entire city and 2121 is expected to be its last year in San Diego as they seek out a venue with a larger capacity like Las Vegas.
Comic-Con’s Three-Year Economic Impact: $488.4 Million. Direct spending by those attending the convention in 2015, 2016 and 2017 is expected to total $203.4 million. Never since conception has the event been canceled or postponed.
Today we received this message from Comic-Con Museum
Comic-Con Museum Charter Members and supporters,
Comic-Con International is officially canceling the 2020 San Diego Comic-Con, marking the first time in 50 years that the show will not go on. It is the right thing to do. Comic-Con wants to do all we can to fight the spread of this virus and support workers who are on the front line, fighting this battle.
There will be better days ahead and we believe the Comic-Con Museum will play an important role in San Diego’s recovery after COVID-19. We are a destination city and tourism is vital to our economy. The development and opening of the Comic-Con Museum will act as a catalyst to reopen one of the world’s best urban park’s and a destination city is known worldwide.
Some of the proposed Phase I renovations will shift, but this will not scale back the visitor experience. Our 2021 grand opening is still on track and you will soon see building plans that illustrate this transformation. To ensure we stay connected in this new reality, the Museum will introduce new and creative digital ways to bring the magic of Comic-Con to you all year-round.
We will redouble our efforts to regain momentum on opening this museum by 2021. And we can’t wait to work with you to realize this vision. Better days are ahead.
Hopefully, this will all be over soon.
