Help me decide. Exhibiting at Dragon Con or The Fan Expo for 2013?

DAVIDYR1

DAVIDYR1

Official Licensee
Hey RPF'ers!

I'm planning my 2013 trade show calendar, and DCon is a week after The Fan Expo here in Toronto, Canada.
For the last 8 years now I've been exhibiting at The Fan Expo 'exclusively', and not being able to do DCon the following weekend due to this short window between the two.

Looking ahead to 2013...Dragon Con in Atlanta, GA may be the way to go....but what to do about The Fan Expo?
On one hand I'm excited by the idea of exhibiting at DCon, but it would come at the expense of dropping Fan Expo, a fantastic Toronto show so it's right in my back yard...and I've been exhibiting there for 8 years straight now.

My problem is I have 1 trade show booth set up...and that set up would have to ship to DCon weeks before Fan Expo...and since DCon is a week after Fan Expo, I suppose I myself 'could' be at both shows...but I don't know that I want to put myself through that. Our model Mike and the awesome Liana K. could handle Fan Expo easily on their own, but I don't know if I'd have anything to display if splitting between these two shows....and it's too soon to know.

I used to go to DCon as an attendee in the early 90's and yes, it's an awesome and huge show...and I think after all these years it could be fun to return and see how it all plays out.

So, what to do?
Stick with The Fan Expo...or focus on Dragon Con? Doing both is probably not going to happen...so it all comes down to choosing one.

Love to hear your thoughts on this.
:popcorn

David
 
I'll be at both, so either way I'll be seeing you. It is a shame there's no way to do both it some form or another, but at this point I'd have to suggest DragonCon since it's a new venue and audience for UD!
 
I know you've already kinda discounted it, but what about a simple endcap table display at FanEx, just a backdrop and one or 2 mobile racks with some of the most current jackets, and binder or computer set up to show the rest of the products? Hell - get Efx and/or Anovos to drag their butts up here and share a booth! :) That way, you can still have a presence.
 
There were FIFTY TWO THOUSAND people at DC this year. I expect next year will be better. Take the emotion and nostalgia out of the equation, and consider it purely from a business perspective. DC will get you a lot more attention DIRECTLY from your core demographic: costumers with some cash.

And besides ,then we could go drinking afterwards.
 
Thanks for the feedback guys, and know that I'm listening closely to everyone's thoughts and suggestions.
:thumbsup

Talisen said:
I know you've already kinda discounted it, but what about a simple endcap table display at FanEx, just a backdrop and one or 2 mobile racks with some of the most current jackets, and binder or computer set up to show the rest of the products? Hell - get Efx and/or Anovos to drag their butts up here and share a booth! :) That way, you can still have a presence.
Click to expand...


Admittedly, I'm not fond of the 'just do them both' even if I can manage merchandise to display for both shows, budget aside of course.:cool
However, I'm not sure that going from our usual exhibitor booth to a table alone...even with a monitor and such will convey the right message. People may wonder "What happened to UD Replicas? Just a table this year instead of a full booth?" Sure those that talk to whomever would be present would get it, but those that just see that set up may be left wondering if something unusually weird is going on when in reality we're continuing to expand.
Or maybe I'm over thinking it too...:lol

I like the idea of Dragon Con even though as OB mentioned, the Fan Expo does do some pretty heavy numbers...but I think we're finally ready to take on the Dragon Con crowd and give it a go as an exhibitor.

Besides, drinks with Matt afterwards? That right there may tip the scale in favor of DC!:$

I am still torn, and do feel a strong sense of loyalty to our Canadian fans who have been so great to us year after year at the Fan Expo. Tough one for sure....:cry

David
 
DAVIDYR1 said:
Admittedly, I'm not fond of the 'just do them both' even if I can manage merchandise to display for both shows, budget aside of course.:cool
However, I'm not sure that going from our usual exhibitor booth to a table alone...even with a monitor and such will convey the right message. People may wonder "What happened to UD Replicas? Just a table this year instead of a full booth?" Sure those that talk to whomever would be present would get it, but those that just see that set up may be left wondering if something unusually weird is going on when in reality we're continuing to expand.
Or maybe I'm over thinking it too...:lol
Click to expand...

In which case why don't you do just the table at DC? Then the FE crowd isn't disappointed and you get to try out DC and expand there in the future.
 
hate to say it, but I think DC will give you a whole new audience if you do it with a full booth, gotta make that all so important first impression.

Speaking of Fan Expo, any thoughts on Fan Expo Vancouver?
 
my vote is dc because you can showcase more product. And as long as you have plenty of youtube coverage it shouldn't matter where you go
 
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