WonderCon 2019 -- in it for the experience (3 of 4) UPDATED 4.5.19

Indie artist Brett Bean and I were discussing the changing demographics of convention attendees. He said something that codified what has been happening over the last few years.

People aren't buying things. They want an "experience."

Yes, of course, over time the age of the crowds impacts the items and activities they are interested in. Still, there has been a huge shift in what attendees want from comic cons, and the reasons why they go...

It used to be that a large number of attendees went to conventions to purchase items for their collections. After decades of attending and exhibiting, I've seen this audience decline. At this WonderCon I saw only a handful of vendors with vintage toys, or film items like posters, stills or books. In the pre-internet era, cons were THE marketplace for collectors to connect with vendors of rare and unusual items related to comics, sci fi, films and pop culture. As the cons themselves crossed over to pop culture familiarity, where even non-fans had these events on their radar, the motivation to attend shifted as well. Memorabilia and other collectibles became less rare, and easy to find on the internet.

As the conventions require more funds and logistics to just attend, there is little time or money left to be a collector of tangible items. More and more attendees want to document their own experience of the convention --- as a live-stream video, or hash-tagged social media posts. Below is an example of just one pair of attendees documenting their walk through with a camera and microphone...

Getting "freebies" from the booths of major studios or publishers, participating in pop-up interactive photo-ops or product launches, seeing the Cos-players  --- that's what attendees come to comic cons for. Yes, there are still a few die hards who are shopping the exhibitor/vendor booths and attending the panels. There is still a healthy crowd of shoppers in the Artists Alley areas --- but they are often buying fan art, not original IP (intellectual property).

This year at WonderCon I saw two interactive pop-ups from major players that were free to participate in while on the grounds near the con, but just outside the entrance, so a convention badge wasn't required. I couldn't help but wonder if this is the beginning for WonderCon of what has happened at San Diego Comic Con, where there is a circus of free activities for a block or more surrounding the convention.

The "Bumblebee" booth -- with photo-op -- promoting DVD launch..and giving away free rucksacks. This was part of a #findbumblebee tour.

Also this "Game of Thrones" tent..

 Where (again, for free) attendees and/or the public could preview a product launch...
in this case, a make-up collaboration with Urban Decay..

And use the backdrops inside the tent for photo-ops...

   

Plus get a free set of enamel pins as they exited the tent ... (photo below is from an online listing offering these pins for sale)

Pop-ups like this also tend to get press coverage:
https://www.ocregister.com/2019/03/29/urban-decay-unveils-its-all-new-game-of-thrones-collection-at-wondercon-in-anaheim/
https://www.firstcomicsnews.com/urban-decay-previews-game-of-thrones-line-at-wondercon/
Link below features prices on some of these make-up items....
https://www.harpersbazaar.com/beauty/makeup/a26467223/urban-decay-game-of-thrones/

Con exclusives are big business. Attendees will wait in long lines.... a typical case is the line below for con exclusive Funko Pop figures..

For indie artists and small exhibitors --- it's nearly impossible to compete for customer dollars in this environment. For the customers who want to shop small, the expense and logistics of attending the convention leaves little in the budget for buying collectibles. And as indie artist Brett pointed out, the hobby of collecting is changing.  Many young people are used to the availability of images on-line, and lack storage or display space in apartments where many roommates are required to meet increasing housing expenses.

Wearable items, such as t-shirts, hats and pins, and small art items such as prints, seemed to be the most profitable wares for small exhibitors.

Artists have to have their hustle on -- in the best way possible -- these days. Engage your audience. Offer value and an experience. Here are two resources with great tips on building and engaging an audience online and at cons:

https://stuartngbooks.com/kickstarter-for-the-independent-creator-a-practical-and-informative-guide-to-crowdfunding-en.html

https://thecompletecreative.teachable.com/p/sell-your-soul-how-to-build-your-creative-career-audiobook-and-ebook

The longest line I saw at WonderCon was for the "Exploding Kittens" booth -- a highly entertaining vending machine/puppet-show type experience that sells and promotes a card game.

The game was co-created by Elan Lee, Matthew Inman (The Oatmeal comics site) and Shane Small, whose Kickstarter launch for the game became a record-breaking success in 2015, earning more than $8 million dollars in pledges.

Sample interactions with the Exploding Kittens vending experience can be found on You Tube:

More on the Exploding Kittens booth creators and behind-the-scenes in this link:
https://makezine.com/2019/02/28/exploding-kittens-vending-machine/

Another sample You Tube video with more interactions. 

This VOX video shares the Exploding Kittens $8 million Kickstarter story, extols the rewards of crowd building, and is also a cautionary tale about trademark and counterfeiting...