Dragon-Con - Atlanta - Labor Day Weekend

[camera73]

I just got back from my first Dragon-con and it was a horrible experience. I got there at 2pm and had to wait 3 hours in line to get my ticket. There were thousands of people waiting and only three cashiers. One for cash and two for credit. By time that I got to the Dealers room. There was less than 2 hours to look around. Dragon con doesn't have pre-registration for single day tickets nor do they let you by single day tickets in advance at the show. So, I couldn't buy a ticket for tomorrow and come back when I had more time.

 

When I got through with my short time on the dealer's floor, I went in search of a manager to complain to. He really didn't care. One gets the impression that once Dragon-con gets paid, they're done with you.

 

I am posting this to a couple different forums asking people to stay away from dragon-con. My experience and that of a lot of other people's was as negative as the attitude of the organizers.

 

Thanks,

 

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[pkveronese]

Man, that sucks. DragonCon used to be a very solid comic show, but it has fallen off considerably in the past several years. The dealer room last year was deplorable - it was just sad (there were about 10 comic dealers present). I'm heading there tommorow morning (in hopes maybe something has changed), but I am saddened by your experience.

Atlanta is primed for a large (Wizard-style) con. I really hope Wizard reconsiders going there in the future (at not at a time that would compete directly with another relatively local con, Heroes Con). - Keith

[pkveronese]

Wow, I just got back from DragonCon, and you were absolutely right Camera. It took me almost an hour to register (on a Sunday afternoon) and there were 7 comic dealers there. The artist's area was nice (Eric Powell, Frank Brunner, Tim Bradstreet, Paul Gulacy), and in my opinion, was its only saving grace. It is sadly come to pass that DragonCon should no longer thought of as a comic book convention and was seen for what it has evolved into, a fantasy/gaming convention. I for one miss what once was formerly a great convention and I hope another could replace it in the Atlanta/Birmingham/Nashville area. - Keith

[sterlingcomics]

The local board members here warned me that Dragon Con doesn't really have depth in terms of comic dealers. If they in fact still call it a "comic" con I strongly suggest they rebrand.

[camera73]

Thanks for the responses. I feel better knowing that others have seen or heard similar things. Well, there's always Wizard-Atlanta 2006 and the small cons that happen regularly at the Marriot in Century Plaza. Those are worth checking out.

[pkveronese]

The Century Plaza Marriot shows are pretty great. They are consistently good. I reccomend them to anybody in a 4 hour radius.

[finecomics]

I heard Dragon Con was worse this year than last. Most of the dealers you can see at the Marriott (including me) Hey pkveronese, I found 2 more 35 centers GR and MTIO.

[SignatureSelect]

from what I have heard wizard alanta 2006 was cancelled but heroes con should be good

[finecomics]

In Chicago, I heard that Wizard will be coming to Atlanta in 2007; but your right 2006 isn't going to happen. They were going to have it at the Cobb Galleria. I hope they change that idea.