Since this was my first time at a large convention I didn’t know what to expect. Even though I was essentially an exhibitor (I was working with my cousin who sells licensed Disney clothes) I was excited to be able to see the con and all that it had to offer, or as much of it as I could see in the short times I got away from the booth.
My last convention was Eugene Comic-Con which is a two-day event and is a lot smaller than either Geek Girl Con or Emerald City Comic Con. I’m glad that I was able to go to Eucon as a guest because it helped prepare me for this convention in a couple of ways. It showed me that the events in the convention could be pretty varied, that there would be a lot of people, and that the exhibitors could be the main focus of the con if you are not going to panels or have the money to buy autographs and photos with the celebrity talent.
So what did I think of this convention?
Emerald City Comic Con for me was a bit overwhelming at times. Thursday and Friday were a lot less crowded than Saturday and Sunday and those are the days that I was able to walk around a little bit and see some of the show floor and artist alley. I was working the con and not attending it per se I didn’t get to do as much as the normal con goer. That being said, after 3 days of the convention I was mentally and emotionally done. There was so many people that all I really wanted to do was sit in a quiet room and meditate. There were a lot of kids, who were super cute and adorable, but I’m not used to that so after 4 plus days of being away from home, around a lot of people, and being around kids, I was ready to come home.
I don’t regret at all going to ECCC and helping my cousin. It was super fun and we had a great time. We basically act like sisters, since we’re only 3ish months a part, so we get along pretty well. It was fun to share this experience with her.
The Show Floor
Here is the vlog I posted with a peak of what it all looked like.
A few things that I really liked about walking around the show floor is that I saw vendors of all sizes.
Funko was there and it was insane. They had a lottery for the exclusive funko pop figures and if you did not win the lottery you had to stand in a general line which was extremely long. By the end of the day people were just sitting on the floor, hoping that they would get the ability to buy something. At the opening of the show floor on Friday I saw people literally running to get a place in that general line since they didn’t wine the lottery. It was crazy.
Dark Horse Comics was also there, and one of the main sponsors of ECCC. It was less crowded but the comics were selling out quickly. I was only able to buy two of the four comics that I wanted to buy (Umbrella Academy) but I’m glad that I got any at all. They had some great convention exclusives and were basically set up was like a store. They even had good bookshelves, glass cases, and carpet on the floor! It was a pretty impressive display. I don’t envy the take down at the end of the con though! I imagine that took hours!
Most of the other vendors were set up like flea markets or other small conventions with tables lined with products and a chair where the vendor would sit and take payment. Some of the larger vendors, but not quite as large as Funko and Dark Horse, had larger booths that had “walls” which they lined with their product. These vendors had workers roaming around taking payment, which was super convenient. I bought a couple of my funko pop figures from booths set up like this.
So what did I get?
You can watch my haul video here!
My cousin and I dressed up as Captain Hook and Tinkerbell that day.
I was able to buy a couple Harry Potter funkos that I didn’t have at a decent price to help complete my collection. I bought volume 1 and 4 of the Umbrella Academy Hotel Oblivion. I also bought the convention exclusive of Umbrella Academy Hotel Oblivion. It’s so pretty! I’m going to frame it, just as soon as I get up to IKEA in a couple weeks. And if you know me at all it is no surprise that I got a mystery box (although I wish I would have gotten a different one) from a booth that had floor to “ceiling” shirts and sweatshirts display. I kind of regret not getting a Slytherin sweatshirt but I wasn’t willing to part with $60 plus tax. Ouch.
What would I do differently?
One thing that I want to do differently next time I go to a convention whether it is as a guest or as an exhibitor is to bring more money. I found that the money that I had was just not sufficient for what I really wanted to do or purchase. I don’t think I fully understood how much a convention could cost between merchandise, food, and entertainment. The next time I go to a convention I want to be able to do what I want without being encumbered by my lack of cash.
**On that note most vendors took credit card so that wasn’t a hindrance. There were a lot of ATM machines around as well so if you really did need cash you could find a way to get some.
What was hindering is not having enough cash to feel fully satisfied with the items I was able to bring home. One of the other things that I really want to be able to do at my next convention is go to panel and possibly pay for autograph signings and photographs. Jason Isaacs and Rupert Grint were at this convention and I was super bummed that I was unable to go and meet them. I’ve actually never met a celebrity before and as much as my anxiety tells me that it would be a bad idea I really want to meet one! If David Tennant were to come I would probably pee my pants with excitement. I hope not though because that would be embarrassing.
There were a couple panels about how to start a nerd side hustle, how to be a nerd boss, and how to start a new nerd business. These topics really struck me and I was super intrigued but unable to attend. I’m hoping that I’m able to attend Rose City Comic Con in Portland this year (or next year, lets be real) and that some of these topics could be discussed there. I also wish that I could have attended some of the panels with the celebrity talent so that I could say that I had that experience. I love watching videos on YouTube of panels at Comic Con and I think that it would be super fun to be in the room, however far away, from the talent that has a hand in creating the worlds and fandoms that I love so much.
Cosplay
Edna Mode and Darth Vader
There were so many people in great cosplay it was hard to take pictures of all the good ones! I got a couple pictures of people who walked past our booth but I saw even more who never made it to our booth as I walked around finding food or going to the restroom. I did get a little star struck with a man who was dressed as the 10th Doctor. I was just too shy to go up and ask for a picture but I REALLY wanted to.
Here are some pictures that I was able to take, along with pictures of me and my cousin. We dressed up Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, theming our days after Disney characters that you could find clothing for in her booth. It was super fun!
A cranky Jack Jack as Edna Mode
Yes Darling it’s me Edna Mode – aka my cousin Sarah
Pyramidhead from Silent Hill
Tina and Bob Belcher – aka Bobcephilis
Buddy is just as nice in person! He even gave me a hug!
(Buddy’s instagram is @geekgasmrealm)
These are all mine! – Tinkerbell (me)
Aargh! Blast that Peter Pan! – Captain Hook (cousin Sarah)
I’ll get you Jack Skellington! – Oogie Boogie (me)
I fear theres something in the wind, no, that’s just Oogie – Sally (cousin Sarah)
Would I go again? Hell ya! I think though that if I attended it as anything other than an exhibitor I would only go for 1 or 2 days. Enough time to be able to see the vendors, artists, authors, and some panels. If you want to see my vlog on the first two days of the con check out my YouTube channel! Or click here.
Live long and nerd my friends!
Sara
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