Announced return of “Motor City Comic Con” in 2021 heralds great sign for growing number of in-person events to come

When news broke late yesterday that Motor City Comic Con would be returning to Suburban Collection Showplace this coming October 16 and 17, 2021, it seemed as if the excitement that followed could be felt more universally. [1-6]

A powerful engine of economic impact, education, and real-world entertainment in their own right, expositions are once again in ascendency. As evidenced for southeast Michigan earlier this month in Novi, the great masses are ready to get out and get back to living their lives again in full. [7-11]

Saline Journal has covered comic cons from a variety of angels over the years. Guest appearances and program offerings often serve as highlights for differentiation. Sometimes these nicely dovetail show floor offerings that otherwise create attraction in their own right. [12-14]

But nothing says “you had to be there” quite like comic con cosplay. [15,16]

Last Thursday, our US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention validated what an increasing number of Americans appeared to be seeing as common sense conclusion: That those who had taken a COVID-19 vaccination could “safely resume activities indoors or outdoors without masks or distancing, in gatherings large or small.” [17-20]

Two days later, The Great Lakes State agreed, via formal executive action by Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. The following Monday, yesterday, we were informed via eMail that Motor City Comic Con 2021 was a Go! — Save the Date — look for additional specifics as they become available “in the coming weeks.” [21]

This added to lists of similar Michigan expositions found on various sites around the Internet. [22]

Earlier this year, Grand Rapids Comic-Con announced that its previously planned “Spring Fling” had been delayed but not cancelled, “just rescheduled for August 13-15,” and renamed “Summer Bash.” Their big show at DeVos Place remains unchanged on the calendar for November 12 thorugh 14, 2021. [23]

Astronomicon also had to push its previously planned first quarter dates for what would have been their fourth event. But they currently remain committed to August 20 through 22 at The Wyndham Garden in Sterling Heights. [24]

For those who’d like to get a jump on planning for one or more of the above, a free “Comic Convention First-Timer Survival Guide” is available online. This 3800-word piece is neatly organized according to eight time horizons, starting “Three To Nine Months Before Con,” running to “The Day After The Con.” [25]

References

1. Motor City Comic Con (home page).
2. Motor City Comic Con (Facebook Page).
3. Motor City Comic Con (Instagram Photostream).
4. Motor City Comic Con (Twitter Feed).
5. Suburban Collection Showplace (home page).
6. “Michigan’s largest comic con announces its triumphant return in 2021 afer two year hiatus” Edward Pevos (May 18, 2021) mLive.
7. CEIR (Center for Exhibition Industry Research) (home page).
8. “Tradeshows Display Staying Power” Bob McGlincy (April 27, 2021) Exhibit City News.
9. “Meetings & Events: The Invisible Industry” Bob McGlincy (May 11, 2021) Exhibit City News.
10. “How Big is the Convention Industry?” Bob McGlincy (May 18, 2021) Exhibit City News.
11. “Novi Home & Garden Show brings hope of return to business as usual” Jennifer Chambers (May 2, 2021) The Detroit News.
12. “‘Puppets Still Give Far More Realistic Performances In Movies Than Computer Graphics, Don’t You Think?’ Tim Rose, Puppeteer” Dell Deaton (November 13, 2018) Saline Journal.
13. “Comic Book Collecting Is Passion For Some, Business for Others – And For Many A Signature Event Headed To Detroit” Dell Deaton (July 25, 2018) Saline Journal.
14. “Grand Rapids Comic-Con Provides An Imnmersive Look At Unique Culture Of Passion, Fun, and Impressively Serious Group” Dell Deaton (November 18, 2018) Saline Journal.
15. “The ‘cosplay’ economy: how dressing up grew up” Katryn Furmston (December 8, 2017) The Conversation.
16. “The Philosophy of Cosplay” Kyla Green (2018) Geeks.
17. Coronavirus (COVID-19) (home page).
18. “Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)” CDC: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
19. “Novel Coronavirus Reports” CDC.
20. “Fully Vaccinated People Can Stop Wearing Masks Indoors And Outdoors, CDC Says” Laurel Wamsley (May 13, 2021) NPR.
21. “Michigan rolls back mask requirements for fully vaccinated people in ‘huge step’” Craig Mauger and Breana Noble (May 15, 2021) The Detroit News.
22. “List of 2021 Michigan Comic Conventions” Fan Cons.
23. Grand Rapids Comic-Con (home page).
24. Astronomicon (home page).
25. “Comic Convention First-Timer Survival Guide” Grand Rapids Comic-Con.