31 years; Since 1987 DragonCon has given us some pretty awesome experiences and memories. Flashback to before DragonCon-every convention focused its attention and energy on just 1 genre. There were gaming conventions, literature shows, comic book shows, just to name a few. It was easy to go to a show of interest to you and have a good time, but what if each group/family member likes a different “scene”? Do you go to 3 or 4 different conventions so that everyone could really enjoy themselves? Doesn’t seem efficient though– does it? When the founders of DragonCon figured out that fans were into multiple areas of genre… they knew they had a hit in having just 1 convention for all nerds, geeks, and bookworms. For people today it doesn’t seem to far out there or radical but back before DragonCon; it was a huge undertaking for this type of show to come together.
The first show in 1987 was rounded out with a few that planned for a Fall show. And guess what? There was no track record to lean on…. The show produced approximately 1,200 attendees that came out to see science fiction, gaming, and live performances. For the next 2 years, this mix of science fiction, gaming, and rock ‘n roll seem to bring out more and more people every year. In 1990 DragonCon was selected to host Origins Game Fair, one of the biggest gaming shows in the country. DragonCon was moved to the Atlanta Hilton Towers and that was home for the next several years. The Comics Expo (ACE) and Origins pushed up the convention by featuring novelist Tom Clancy and comic artist Todd McFarlane; producing some 4,800 attendees.
Sometimes even the celebrity guests get involved…. that is always fun and exciting.
Imagine this: There was a time when organizers invested so much time and energy going from convention circuit to convention circuit handing out fliers about DragonCon to attract attendees and fans. By 2000, DragonCon has met some 10,000 people in attendance. Some organizers had even thought about stepping down from DragonCon, simply due to exhaustion and stress. HOWEVER, one afternoon during the DragonCon show, 2 organizers were watching the convention from the Hyatt’s balcony, they were abruptly interrupted by the stomping of Imperial Stormtroopers. Attendees and fans parted so that the 501st Legion could escort actors David Prowse (Darth Vader) and Jeremy Bullock (Boba Fett) to their panel. Fans went crazy with excitement, and at that moment they knew that DragonCon was no longer a hobby for them… It was a full-time job and business.
Over the years, Labor Day Weekend has become a 4 day parade of THE most epic cosplays around. Many feel the quality of costuming separates convention from convention. DragonCon has the finest costumes that us nerds can create. Some cosplayers seem to save their BEST for nighttime promenading through hotels and posing for photoshoots.
Fans from all over the country come into Atlanta for DragonCon in need of relaxation, friends, partying, and simply letting the little girl or boy that lives inside all of us–out! All of us DragonCon goers are family and when we see each other it’s like seeing a long lost friend that you haven’t seen in years. But when we have to leave each other it’s so heartbreaking because we all know we have to wait a whole nother year to experience the lights, music, food and genuine friendship again.
This year– 2018 DragonCon again called The Hyatt Regency Atlanta, The Hilton Atlanta, The Marriott Marquis, The Sheraton Atlanta, The Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel and AmericasMart HOME for Labor Day weekend of August 30-September 3. This year’s attendance is estimated to be 80,000+…. The charity of choice this year for DragonCon was Literacy Action, Inc and the convention raised $85,000 for them. DragonCon had hundreds of Celebrity Guests, Attending Professionals, Performers, Comic & Pop Artist Alley attendees and vendors this year…if you can’t find it at DragonCon…. you aren’t looking hard enough.
DragonCon is the absolute BEST in delivering an amazing FAN EXPERIENCE!!!
We only have to wait 338 days until Next Year…..
JEdiMom/IndieAdvocates~~JEdiMom Photography
Media Coverage Links:
Video/Photo Coverage
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrrRQGm8eAA
Photo Coverage (Individual Photoshoots)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-O-wDuXwgw
DragonCon 2018 Parade Coverage