Wizard World Announces Expanded Schedule for 2015 With Nine New Shows

Wizard World logo

Wizard World is really expanding next year. They have announced locations and dates for “a minimum of” (so there might be more) 22 shows in 2015, with nine new cities — San Jose, Fort Lauderdale, Cleveland, Raleigh, Indianapolis, Las Vegas, Des Moines, Madison, and Greenville — and a Horror Fest show. (I’ve already mentioned the Madison plans, which is now my local.) That’s up from 16 this year. They also note, “Additional cities (new and returning) may also be added in the coming weeks.”

CEO John Macaluso is quoted: “We are excited to bring the Wizard World experience to more fans in more places than ever before in 2015. The new shows this year have been huge successes, and we believe that fans in these additional cities will enjoy our mix of top celebrities, superstar artists and all things pop culture.”

Wizard World logo

Here’s the 2015 listing, subject to change. The starred mentions are the new shows.

Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con, January 9-11, Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
Wizard World Portland Comic Con, January 23-25, Oregon Convention Center
*Wizard World Wisconsin Comic Con, February 6-8, Alliant Energy Center, Madison, Wis.
*Wizard World Indianapolis Comic Con, February 13-15, Indianapolis Convention Center
*Wizard World Cleveland Comic Con, February 20-22, Cleveland Convention Center
*Wizard World Presents Bruce Campbell’s Horror Fest, March 6-8, Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont, Ill.
*Wizard World Raleigh Comic Con, March 13-15, Raleigh Convention Center
*Wizard World Las Vegas Comic Con, April 24-26, Las Vegas Convention Center
Wizard World Minneapolis Comic Con, May 1-3, Minneapolis Convention Center
Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con, May 7-10, Pennsylvania Convention Center
Wizard World St. Louis Comic Con, May 22-24, America’s Center
*Wizard World Greenville Comic Con, May 28-30, TD Convention Center, Greenville, S.C.
*Wizard World Des Moines Comic Con, June 12-14, Iowa Events Center
Wizard World Sacramento Comic Con, June 19-21, Sacramento Convention Center
Wizard World Richmond Comic Con, July 31-August 2, Greater Richmond Convention Center
Wizard World Chicago Comic Con, August 20-23, Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont, Ill.
*Wizard World San Jose Comic Con, September 4-6, San Jose Convention Center
Wizard World Columbus Comic Con, September 18-20, Greater Columbus Convention Center, Columbus, Ohio
Wizard World Nashville Comic Con, September 25-27, Music City Center
*Wizard World Fort Lauderdale Comic Con, October 2-4, Greater Fort Lauderdale Broward County Convention Center
Wizard World Tulsa Comic Con, October 23-25, Cox Business Center
Wizard World Austin Comic Con, October 29-31, Austin Convention Center

A comparison with this year’s listings indicates that some shows may not be returning, specifically, Louisville, Atlanta, San Antonio, and Reno. At a guess, Reno was replaced by Vegas, and San Antonio and Austin would likely have significant overlap.

How many of these shows will the market hold, I wonder? There’s likely a big bump from opening a new city, although some of these locations, most notably Las Vegas, have had attempts made before that failed. Still, beyond the celebrity guests, you have to have artists and exhibitors and retailers willing to appear to make this kind of event successful. I wonder about burnout, and whether these new shows will have a good mix of those attendees, beyond just drawing from whatever local pool there is.



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