From our friends at Events DC...
Events DC Expects More Than 50,000 Pop Culture Fans at the Third Annual Awesome Con Convention
Awesome Con, Washington DC's premiere comic con and pop culture convention will return to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on May 29-31 with more than fifty movie and television celebrity guests making appearances throughout the weekend. Awesome Con expects to greet more than 50,000 pop culture fans across 230,000 square feet of exhibit space and more than 10 rooms of programming.
“Awesome Con has been a key part of fueling our growth by helping to expand a portfolio of new events that Events DC hosts across its venues,” said Gregory A. O’Dell, president and chief executive officer of Events DC. “In 2014, the comic book and pop culture festival quadrupled its attendance and injected more than $4.5 million into the local economy and they expect to surpass those numbers this year. Its incredible success has led to us winning even more one-of-a-kind events to the District of Columbia.”
More than one hundred exhibitors will be selling toys, video games, comics, apparel and other collectible memorabilia. A new addition for 2015 will include kid-centric activities with an area called Kid’s Zone where they can draw along with noted comic book artists, learn how to make their own Superhero symbol, see a wizard magic show, attend Superhero University led by top industry professionals and make their own superhero cape. A full list of Kid’s Zone activities and programming can be found here: http://www.awesome-con.com/kids-zone/.
“About 80% of our attendance is local and the goodwill that we receive from the local community is overwhelming,” said Ben Penrod, Awesome Con founder. “And since we continue to grow and establish Awesome Con as one of the larger pop culture and comic conventions, we are expecting the number of people that travel out of state to grow this year and to really help propel the local economy - while making a superhero-filled splash across the District over the weekend.”
A wide variety of celebrity guests from screen stars to voice actors will be part of the weekend; signing autographs, sitting on panels, and taking photos with attendees. Among them include the iconic William Shatner and George Takei of Star Trek; Grant Imahara of Discovery Network’s Mythbusters; Jason Mewes, known as Jay from Jay and Silent Bob; Good Charlotte lead guitarist and comic book artist Billy Martin; the original voice actors of all four Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles; Sean Astin of Lord of the Rings and The Goonies; plus cast members from Doctor Who; Once Upon a Time; Power Rangers and Walking Dead.
Harkening to its beginning as a comic book convention, Awesome Con will also feature dozens of comic book creators, artists and writers. In the exhibit hall there will be hundreds of booths with comic books, collectibles, original art, toys, games and books. Special activities throughout the weekend will include discussion panels, costume contests, trivia contests and gaming events. Single-day admission and three-day weekend packages are available. Kids age 10 and under get in for free. Three-day VIP packages include a commemorative t-shirt, comic book and other paraphernalia, as well as early admission to the event. Ticket and event information can be found at: www.awesomecon.com.
Awesome Con is organized by Awesome Conventions LLC, and sponsored by Third Eye Comics in Annapolis, Maryland.
About Awesome Con:
Awesome Con 2015 takes place at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in downtown Washington, DC, from May 29 to May 31. It’s a celebration of all things pop culture, with a focus on comic books, science fiction, and fantasy. The 2015 event will feature over 100 comic book creators, and dozens of celebrity guests. Awesome Con is organized by Awesome Conventions LLC, and sponsored by Third Eye Comics in Annapolis, Maryland. For more information about Awesome Con, visit http://www.awesome-con.com/.
About Events DC:
Events DC, the official convention and sports authority for the District of Columbia, delivers premier event services and flexible venues across the nation’s capital. Leveraging the power of a world-class destination and creating amazing attendee experiences, Events DC generates economic and community benefits through the attraction and promotion of business, athletic, entertainment and cultural activities. Events DC oversees the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, an anchor of the District’s hospitality and tourism economy that generated more than $3.3 billion in direct attendee spending in its first decade (2003-2013), and the historic Carnegie Library at Mt. Vernon Square. Events DC also manages the Stadium-Armory campus, which includes Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium and surrounding Festival Grounds, the non-military functions of the DC Armory and Maloof Skate Park at RFK Stadium. In addition, Events DC built and now serves as landlord for Nationals Park, the first LEED-certified major professional sports stadium in the United States. For more information, please visit www.eventsdc.com.
