by Jachelle Overstreet, Reporter
Three years ago, Entrepreneurs Dan Farr and Bryan Brandenburg joined forces and created Salt Lake Comic Con, which as it turns out, has become pretty damn amazing. Now, fan conventions are nothing new. Numerous events pop up every year in a variety of locations. It’s a lovely nod to how much more mainstream geeky interests have become and gives fans everywhere a place to come together and share all their favorite things, but it’s hardly anything new at this point. So what makes SLCC so special? It’s rate of growth has been pretty remarkable. The first SLCC in 2013 saw 72,000 fans attend. This year’s event hosted 130,000. In fact, the events have become so popular that Farr and Brandenburg have actually begun hosting two events per year. The FanXperience, a smaller event held in January, and the Salt Lake Comic Con main event held in September. In addition to SLCC rapidly making a name for itself alongside the reigning kings of the convention world, San Diego Comic Con and New York Comic Con, it’s really the people who seem to make the experience so special. I attended both Salt Lake FanX and Salt Lake Comic Con this year, and this is what I found.
It’s easy to get distracted at conventions. There are people and booths and panels everywhere. There’s so much to do and see that sometimes three days doesn’t seem like nearly enough to get in on all of it. Yet, amid all the craziness, there was one fact that seemed to stand out against everything else. The minds behind this convention really care about this enterprise and want it to have a good impression on everyone involved. This is not just a moneymaking train that was brought about because of the rising popularity of geek culture. No, the creators of this experience want to make it just that…an experience that everyone can enjoy together. I heard stories of B and C list actors being astonished by the first class accommodations they received while appearing at the convention. New additions like wider aisles and RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) wristbands made it easier to move among the crowds and eliminated lines to enter the convention center. The expansion of ballrooms made it possible for more people to attend more popular panels. And at every turn, attendees were praised for their creativity and enthusiasm. If you’re a con-goer, chances are you’ve gotten a look before when you tell a non-geek about it. That slightly wary, often judgemental look that says, “Oh, you’re one of THOSE people.” It sucks, doesn’t it? So I have to say, it feels really awesome to not only go to a convention with thousands of people who are just as excited as I am, but to be told, “Hey, you’re awesome, and I love seeing how excited you are.” There was an amazing sense of community throughout both of the events, from local groups getting together to meetup, to after hours parties and celebrations. And I cannot stress enough how cool it was to be a part of that.
The conventions themselves were both filled with the standard fare for these types of events. Celebrity panels, a variety of discussion panels, autograph and photo opportunities, cosplay contests, and several different events. The September event made headlines when it set a new record in the Guinness Book of World Records for the largest gathering of people dressed as comic book characters. The previous record of 1, 530 people was held by China, and SLCC blew them out of the water when an incredible 1,784 participants showed up in their costumes to be a part of the event.
Other events this year included the Superhero Run, in which proceeds were donated to help fund a new specialty hospital, Zom-B Laser Tag, and even Sci-Fi Speed Dating.
Yours truly signed up not once, but twice, to try out the speed dating experience. Purely for investigative purposes, I assure you. And honestly? It was kind of a blast. The whole event was organized well and even made someone as introverted and nervous as me feel incredibly at ease. The group was created in 2010 and travels the country to various conventions. They currently boast a whopping 67 marriages resulting from their events. No marriage proposals for me, but I did get a few dates out of it and a ton of fun.
Speaking of geek love, there was one very special proposal that happened at the convention this year, and it’s taken the internet by storm. One fan, dressed as Captain America, decided to pop the question to his girlfriend during the couple’s photo op with Captain America stars Chris Evans (Captain America) and Hayley Atwell (Peggy Carter). The resulting photograph is too cute for words, and even caught the attention of Stan Lee himself.
That sense of love and energy filled the Salt Palace convention center during both 2015 events and one can only that as the FanX and SLCC events continue in the future, they’ll only continue the trend and get even better. SLCC clearly loves its fans and works tirelessly to create an amazing experience for them every year. If you ever find the opportunity to go, make sure you take it. You won’t regret it.
