Comic Cons are organized conventions for fans of comic books, anime, manga, science fiction, cosplay, and more. The first annual Mid-Pinellas Comic Con (& Maker Con) was organized in less than 6 weeks and with very little money. This event had record attendance, which was second only to a visit by President Barack Obama in September 2012! Learn the ins-and-outs including legal, sponsorship, security issues, and much more of organizing a Comic Con to help highlight your library’s unique collections and to have a lot of fun doing it!

2. A Comic con is an “organized event for fans of comic
books, graphic novels, manga, anime, and science fiction
to gather and enjoy, discuss, learn about, and participate
in the dissemination of information about their interests.”
Source: http://goo.gl/ziQybL

3. Source: http://goo.gl/tnl3bM

5. Maker Faire licensing process:
• Read through the Maker Faire Playbook, our how-to guide on making a Maker Faire and building maker
community in your town. Then submit the application.
• Evidence support from your maker community. Have at least 3 makers or maker organizations complete this
'Letter of Support' online form: http://bit.ly/MiniMakerFaireLetterofSupport. Please use this exercise as a
way to demonstrate the range of content and makers you intend to feature/engage at your event.
• Fill out the budget worksheet. There is a license fee (usually $500) for Mini Maker Faires. The fee is a
calculation based on size, and whether it is free or paid event. For budgeting purposes for a paid ticket event,
estimate .50 per attendee. Free event fees depend on size, but for budgeting purposes, imagine .25 per
attendee. This item to be discussed in phone meeting.
• Schedule a phone discussion (or G+Hangout or Skype call) to learn more about your ideas and to ask
questions generated by reading the Playbook. Write minimakerfaire@makermedia.com to request this
meeting, and suggest a minimum of two times you and your core team are available to meet.
• At that point, if all is mutually agreeable, review & signing of agreement and design guidelines, dispatch of
logo, etc. Please note that we ask applicants not to use the Maker Faire trademark or register domains until
an agreement has been signed.

8. Ask others about
their Comic Con
experiences. What
worked? What
didn’t?

9. #1 complaint = NO FOOD!

10. Food Truck Rally!
All coverage/certificate(s) to be in effect during the time the vendor is installing the equipment or
providing a service on owner’s premises and must be provided to Risk Management prior to the date
the contract is to begin.

11. Use an online collaboration
tool like Google Docs so
everything is in one place!

12. Security/fire planning with campus Provost, college-wide security team,
Fire Marshal, Sherriff, IT department, Library staff, facilities staff …

13. Weapons policy
Except as provided under Florida law and the St. Petersburg College
Board of Trustees Rules and College Procedures, weapons (real or fake),
including sharp props, are prohibited on college property or as part of
this event (including the costume contest). For the safety of all, please
leave your weapons (real or fake) in your vehicle or at home if you do not
arrive in a vehicle. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.

14. Copyright issues
Get your Consent and
Release forms ready!

15. Considering we didn’t have
much TV and newspaper
coverage we did a very good
job getting the word out
thanks to social media,
flyers, digital billboards,
YouTube “commercials” etc.
2015 will be a different story since we proved we are legitimate!

16. Licensing movies
http://library.movlic.com/

17. The day before the event!
Time to setup the tables and
strategically add vendors.
Electricity etc.
Make sure audio/video and
other technology worked.
Test the gaming tournament and
Howl O’ Screams areas.
Stage setup.

18. Weapons
Policy

19. The day arrives!

21. Meet Greg Plantamura: Co-organizer/advisor extraordinaire

22. Greg Plantamura
gplantam@hotmail.com

23. Mid-Pinellas Comic Con 2014
Look for “Pinellas Comic and Maker Con” in 2015
#PCMC

24. Know your audience
● Costume Contest (adult &
kids)
● Photo op spots (TARDIS,
etc)
● Panels & classes
● Prizes
● Costumed characters (501st,
GB)
● Celebrity guests
● Face painting & kid crafts

25. ● Costume Contest (adult & kids)
● Photo op spots (TARDIS, etc)
● Panels & classes
● Prizes
● Costumed characters (501st, GB)
● Celebrity guests
● Face painting & kid crafts

26. Key Activities
● Costume Contest
(adult & kids)
● Photo op spots
(TARDIS, etc)
● Panels & classes
● Prizes
● Costumed
characters (501st
Legion, GB)
● Celebrity guests
● Face painting & kid

27. Costume contests (child and adult)
● Costume Contest (adult &
kids)
● Photo op spots (TARDIS,
etc)
● Panels & classes
● Prizes
● Costumed characters (501st,
GB)
● Celebrity guests
● Face painting & kid crafts

30. Busch Gardens panel
● Costume Contest (adult &
kids)
● Photo op spots (TARDIS,
etc)
● Panels & classes
● Prizes
● Costumed characters (501st,
GB)
● Celebrity guests
● Face painting & kid crafts

31. Busch Gardens panel
● Costume Contest (adult &
kids)
● Photo op spots (TARDIS,
etc)
● Panels & classes
● Prizes
● Costumed characters (501st,
GB)
● Celebrity guests
● Face painting & kid crafts

32. Busch Gardens panel
● Costume Contest (adult &
kids)
● Photo op spots (TARDIS,
etc)
● Panels & classes
● Prizes
● Costumed characters (501st,
GB)
● Celebrity guests
● Face painting & kid crafts

33. Food trucks

34. Food trucks

35. Differences from a big metro con
● More local, family atmosphere.
First time for many visitors.
● No long lines. Our TARDIS was
free compared to $35 TBCCon!
● More relaxed, family friendly. No
incidents. No weapon or sexy
costume hassles.
● People like to support a non profit.
Makes it easy to get publicity and
sponsors.

36. Exhibitors / Vendors
● Comic Book & hobby shops
● Video Game shops/clubs
● Other gaming clubs/shops
● Costume and alternative
clothing shops
● Home / etsy crafters
and costumers
● Arcades
● Haunts & Theme Parks

40. Lessons Learned
● Businesses and media were skeptical, but now that
we've proven ourselves, we can grow.
● People are willing to pay (but we'll keep it free to be
accessible and friendly to community.)
● Signage is very important for people to find their way
around and know when things happen.
● Had Spider-Man appear days before but not enough
visibility.
● Push the press releases!
● Did timing after TBCCon help? Not necessarily.

41. Important
● Expect a few exhibitors to
drop out.
Others to join at last minute.
● Make sure all
guests/vendors sign an
agreement so they’ll know
the rules.
● Get signed release for
children’s costume contest.

42. 1. What was your favorite part of MPCCon?
2. What could be improved?
3. Did the food trucks have a positive effect on your visit?

43. Immediately after our event we started to get
offers to participate in other events!
On October 11th, we have a booth here and will get to
show off our new banner and promote the next event!

44. Source: http://goo.gl/9IHHQs

45. https://www.facebook.com/MPCCon
/MPCCon

47. Contact Information
http://www.slideshare.net/chadmairn
Let’s
Hangout!
gplus.to/chadmairn