Pete,

Thanks for writing! I’m confused at what facts are in question. (In my best impersonation of the narrator from Pushing Daisies)

The facts were these…

  • I have been attending fan conventions across the United States since 1991. I’ve visited events like yours of almost every shape and size from Los Angeles to Miami.
  • In 2010, I went to Botcon in Orlando, Florida.  My friend Joey Snackpants and I had been anticipating attending the event for years.
  • I was tragically disappointed in Botcon’s presentation. (See this review online.)  NOTE: My disappointment is a fact; my opinion of the event is… well… my opinion.
  • I stated, during the ongoing online arguments that ensued on my blog, that the only way to see if Botcon had learned anything from their (in my opinion) failure in Orlando was to see the show at a location that wasn’t near Los Angeles (which resulted in 2011) or near Fun Publication’s headquarters in Texas.
  • Botcon 2012 will take place less than 50 miles from Fun Publications in Texas.

Thus my argument holds plenty of water: 2010 was weak. 2011 was well attended based on location and proximity to the Transformers movie release. 2012 is less than an hour’s drive from Fun Publication’s headquarters.

Having run events across the United States, I can say that any promoter I know will tell you it is ALWAYS much easier running a convention local to your core staff.

FUN FACT: The movie Glitter has a 7% on Rotten Tomatoes. That means SOMEONE liked it; that doesn’t, though, make it a good movie: (http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/glitter/)  Think about that as you look at your convention.  Instead of pissy Twitter replies (making your convention look unprofessional) try listening to the feedback and look to improve your show.

Or not.

Also, I am (of course) posting this email on my blog.

Thanks again for writing,

Tom Croom
www.TomCroom.com

—–Original Message—–
From: Pete Sinclair [mailto:pete@[FROM FUN PUBLICATIONS].com]
Sent: Tuesday, December 06, 2011 7:00 PM
To: me@tomcroom.com
Subject: Misinformed

Just an FYI… BotCon has been held, since FP started in 2005, in Frisco, Lexington, Rhode Island, Cincinnati, Pasadena, Orlando and then back to Pasadena.

Regardless as to whether the show is an hour a way or 16 hours away makes zero difference from a logistics standpoint. All shipments, guests and planning (and so much more) are done the same way. Same number of site visits are made as well. ONLY thing that changes is office staff will drive as opposed to fly. Out of state staff, like myself, actually handles the advertising we do for the show, so even that part of your argument holds no water I am afraid.

Please make the effort to ask before reporting the “facts” next time

Best!