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So… Who Is Going To ComicsPRO Then? And What Are They Up To?

So… who's going to ComicsPRO? Portland Oregon awaits for comic book retailers, publishers, distributors and the like to gather… and present. Here's a few who are chatty on social media about the whole. If anyone else wants to share something, e-mail me on richjohnston@bleedingcool.com.  And catch up with more #ComicsPRO coverage with this handy tag.

Dark Horse Comics has this exclusive sketch cover to Stranger Things: Into the Fire #1 for attendees by Kyle Lambert.

So... Who Is Going To ComicsPRO Then? And What Are They Up To?

 

Going To ComicsPRO

Van Helsing Vs The Mummy of Amun-Ra #1 exclusive cover by Dar Anor for ComicsPRO attendees from Zenescope

So... Who Is Going To ComicsPRO Then? And What Are They Up To?

CEO and Publisher Bill Jemas will be at the show for AWA (Artists, Writers & Artisans) Studios' CEO and Publisher, Bill Jemas, will be in attendance at ComicsPRO throughout the weekend, and will be presenting on AWA's upcoming releases and their growing Retail Council during the Friday, February 21st breakfast. AWA will also be participating in Friday's Vendor Roundtables, and can be found in Grand Ballroom II. And yes, $250 credit for retailers who sign up to be charter members with AWA – and no further obligation.

Going To ComicsPRO

Alienated #1 exclusive cover by Ozgur Yildirim for ComicsPRO attendees from Boom.

Bad Idea Goes to ComicsPRO - Will They Be Ripped Limb From Limb?Kindt and LaRosa will be signing two lithographic art prints by Lewis LaRosa for Bad Idea's first two titles, Eniac #1 and Megalith #1 – promoting comics most of the retailers won't be able to order during the annual Comic Book Legal Defense Fund Charity Auction on Friday from 9pm.

Bad Idea Goes to ComicsPRO - Will They Be Ripped Limb From Limb?

They will have twin roundtable sessions on Friday and Saturday for a special look forward at Bad Idea's first year of publishing with exclusive looks inside Eniac #1 and Megalith #1 and Odinn's… something. Where retailers can look at all the comics they won't be able to order.

Bad Idea Goes to ComicsPRO - Will They Be Ripped Limb From Limb?

All retailers will receive a set of exclusive, Bad Idea "cover enhancement kits" which will transform comics from anyone into Bad Idea comics. Perfect for retailers not actually allowed to sell Bad Idea comics. Oh and stickers for laptops and luggage and stuff

And here's what's going down.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER
NICK BARRUCCI, CEO OF DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

VENDOR ROUNDTABLES

  • GALLERIA NORTH (10 ROUNDTABLES)
    (Set-up starts at 11:15 AM on Friday, 2/21)

    Boom! Studios
  • ComicHub
  • Emerald Comics Distro
  • First Second Books
  • Humanoids
  • Mad Cave Studios
  • Marvel
  • The NPD Group
  • Rebellion Publishing
  • Valiant Entertainment
  • GALLERIA SOUTH (10 ROUNDTABLES)
    (Set-up starts at 11:15 AM on Friday, 2/21)
    AfterShock Comics
  • Ata-boy
  • Bad Idea
  • DC Entertainment
  • Diamond Comic Distributors
  • Oni Press
  • Scholastic
  • Scout Comics and Entertainment
  • VIZ
  • Yen Press

GRAND BALLROOM II FAR SIDE (10 ROUNDTABLES)

  • (Set-up starts at 9:30 AM on Friday, 2/21)

    1First Comics
  • Clover Press
  • Creator Roundtable
  • Dark Horse
  • Drawn and Quarterly Books
  • Dynamite Entertainment
  • Max Protection
  • Penguin Random House
  • Source Point Press
  • Vault Comics
  • GRAND BALLROOM II NEAR SIDE (10 ROUNDTABLES)
    (Set-up starts at 9:30 AM on Friday, 2/21)
    Anomaly Productions
  • Artists, Writers, & Artisans (AWA)
  • BCW Supplies
  • GTS Distribution
  • IDW Publishing
  • Image Comics
  • Impact Theory
  • Magnetic Press
  • Skybound
  • White Noise Studios

CONFERENCE SCHEDULE 

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19th

1:30 PM – 5:30 PM

Brewery Tour: Organized by Jenn Haines
and Marco Davanzo

1:30 Pick up from Hilton

1:45 PM Breakside Brewery
1570 NW 22nd Ave.
2:45 Leave.

3:00 Great Notion Brewery
2444 NW 28th Ave
4:00 Leave.

4:15 Gigantic Brewery
5224 SE 26th Ave
5:15 Leave.

5:30 Back to Hilton

Offsite

6:30 PM – 8:00 PM

Retailer Registration

Forum Suite

8:00 PM – 8:15 PM

Introduction: John Dudas
Welcome to Portland, Greg Rucka

Galleria South

8:15 PM – 10:15 PM Wine and Beer Reception
Sponsored by Oni Press
Grand Ballroom II
8:15 PM  – 10:15 PM Gaming with Renegade Games Grand Ballroom II

 

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20th

Parlor C is snack room and sitting area

 

8:00 am – 9:00 am

Registration + Morning Snacks

Grand Ballroom Foyer

8:30 am


Annual Meeting 101

Administrative Director, Todd Merrick

If you've never been to a ComicsPRO annual meeting, Todd will let you know what to expect.

Grand Ballroom II

9:00 am – 9:10 am


Welcome
Peter Dolan, President of the Board

+ ComicsPRO Board of Directors

Grand Ballroom II

9:10 am – 9:25 am


Staying Healthy While Selling Comics
Atom! Freeman!

  • Learn the basics of staying healthy while running a business and a family
  • Hear the solutions of many other retailers who have turned their health around
  • Discover your personal path to feeling more focused and energetic

Grand Ballroom II

9:25 am – 9:45 am


Get a Life!
Phil Boyle
Free yourself from the daily grind.
Be more effective at your job.

Grand Ballroom II

9:45 am – 10:10


ComicHub Retailer Presentation

Stu Colson
Case Studies + New Features Coming Up + Industry Data

Grand Ballroom II

10:15 – 10:27


Image Comics

Grand Ballroom II

10:30 – 10:46


Boom! Studios

Grand Ballroom II

10:50 – 11:10

Break

Grand Ballroom Foyer

11:10 am – 11:35


Membership Meeting
(ComicsPRO Members Only)
Introduction by Tim Stoltzfus, Director

Marco Davanzo, Executive Director Report

Director Candidates

Open Mic – Any Member

Grand Ballroom II

11:35 – 12:20


Marvel Comics
Introduction: Jenn Haines
David Gabriel
(Retailers Only)

Grand Ballroom II

12:20pm – 1:25pm

Retailer Lunch (Retailers Only)

Themed Tables discussing various topics

Long Term Retailers answer questions to stores open less than 5 years:
Joe Field, Calum Johnston

Social Media on Facebook and Instagram
Timmy Heague

Graphic Novel Fairs (eg Scholastic):
Jonathan Cohen

Selling to Schools/Selling Kids Comics
Andrew Woodrow-Butcher

How a Blind Guy keeps a comic shop open for 27 years plus other Accessability topics
Richard John Early

Selling Old Comics
Bruce Treat, Carr D'Angelo

Creator, Small Publisher Spotlight
Matt Pizzolo

Facebook Live Selling
Jen King

Selling Manga
Christopher Butcher, Morgan Perry

Creator Spotlight
Matthew Rosenberg, Tyler Boss

Marvel
David Gabriel

Dark Horse
Matt Parkinson, Dave Marshall (EIC)

Ask Us Anything!  with Image Comics
Jeff Stang, Kat Salazar

Grand Ballroom I

Mambo Italiano Lunch
(Buffet)

Cabbage White Bean Soup
Romaine Salad with Garlic Croutons and Grated Parmesan
Basil Pesto Penne Pasta Salad with Cherry Tomatoes and Mozzarella
Rosemary Potato Bread with Olive Tapenade
Vegetable Lasagna with Eggplant, Wild Mushroom and Spinach
Braised Chicken Cacciatore with Wild Mushrooms, Onions, and Tomato Sauce
Creamy Soft Polenta and Braising Greens
Sweet Italian Sausage with Roasted Peppers and Fennel
Espresso Panna Cotta
Coffee/Iced Tea

Vegans please ask for Vegan Option

 

RETAILER

TRACK

(GRAND BALLROOM II)
MC JOE MURRAY

PUBLISHER

TRACK

(GALLERIA SOUTH)
MC ATOM! FREEMAN

1:30 PM – 2:10 PM

Social Media Success Stories:
John Dudas, Eitan Manhoff, Colin McMahon, Marc Bowker, Chris Proulx, Jen King


The State of the Union For Publishers:

Kristen McLean, NPD Group

Join NPD Executive Director of Business Development at the NPD Books practice Kristen McLean as she gives Publishers the 411 on Comic Industry performance, including recent examples of the interaction between books and streaming vldeo, and what these case studies have to say about publishing success in our rapidly evolving cross-platform future

2:15 PM – 2:40 PM


The State of the Union For Retailers:
Kristen McLean, NPD Bookscan

In this session NPD BookScan's Kristen McLean will give us a retailer-centric recap of what happened in the comic market in 2019—what's up, what's down, and what's coming—as well as key trends in the broader worlds of toys books and games you should be thinking about to build your business smarter in 2020.


Board of ComicsPRO Dialogue
ComicsPRO Board of Directors

We will go over the status of various programs that ComicsPRO runs including Local Comic Shop Day and 24-Hour Comics Day. The Board will also be soliciting feedback for a substantial retailer survey that ComicsPRO is launching. Finally, we will be discussing retailer concerns and preparing vendors for Friday and Saturday Programming.

2:45 PM – 3:25 PM

Graphic Novels, Perennials, and Curation
Moderated by Marco Davanzo

Peggy Burns (Drawn Quarterly), Filip Sablik (BOOM!), + Eric Stephenson (Image Comics), Dave Marshall (Dark Horse)

What makes a graphic novel a perennial seller? What do publishers look for in choosing projects? Can comics be perennial sellers? What type of graphic novels sell differently in the book market … in the Direct Market …. online? These and other questions will be answered.

Marketing to Comics Shops: The Basics
Atom! Freeman, Prana: Direct Market Solutions

 

Atom! Freeman will discuss the basics of building a complete campaign to sell your product into Comics Shops. We'll cover the entire life of a campaign from Announcement to Sell-Thru. We'll review the challenges, current best practices and workshop new solutions.

3:25 PM – 3:45 PM


BREAK (WITH SNACKS)


BREAK (WITH SNACKS)

3:45 PM – 4:40


Kids and Young Adult Graphic Novel Symposium

Moderated by Retailers: Brian Hibbs and Jenn Haines

Panelists: Gina Gagliano (RH Graphic), David Saylor (Scholastic), Mark Von Bergen (First Second)
This symposium will touch on various topics of Kids and YA publishing. Panelists will discuss best practices, successes, failures, what can be learned from other markets, and how the Direct Market and Kids Graphic Novel Publishers can work together to grow Direct Market Sales of Kids graphic novels.

How Can ComicHUB help Publishers?

Stu Colson

Stu will be sharing some sell-through data and discussing ways that Publishers can use ComicHub's platform to interact with retailers and consumers.

4:45 PM – 5:45 PM


Penguin Random House

A look at upcoming releases and key marketing information.  Plus PRH creators will be there!

Gina Gagliano,  previewing upcoming RH Graphic projects
Nicole Valdez – Discussing Marketing to both consumers and Direct Market
Tyne Hunter – Penguin Young Reader releases and other PRH releases

Creators:  Laura Knetzger (author of Bad Boys) and Jose Pimienta (author of Suncatcher).

PubWest

Kent Watson is Executive Director of Pubwest – an association of book publishers.
He will come and tell publishers a little bit about his organization and the benefits of joining.
(Conincidentally, PubWest is having their annual conference in the same hotel, at the same time, that we are).

 

www.pubwest.org

5:45 pm – 7:00 pm

Creator Retailer Meet-up.
Sponsored by Dynamite Entertainment

Grand Ballroom I

7:00 pm – 9:30 pm

Dinner on Your Own

9:30pm – 10:30pm


Dark Horse Reception

Skyline

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21st
Parlor C is snack room and sitting area

7:15am – 8:00am

Vendor Registration

Grand Ballroom Foyer

8:00 am – 9:15 am

BREAKFAST

Introduction:  Colin McMahon

Vendor Presentations
8:15 – 8:23 1First Comics
8:25 – 8:33 Drawn and Quarterly
8:35 – 8:43 Mad Cave

8:45 – 8:53 AWA Studios

8:55 – 9:05 Matthew Rosenberg

Grand Ballroom I

Egg, Cheese Blend, Winter Squash, and Herb Frittata
Italian Sausage
Breakfast Potatoes
Coffee, Hot Tea, OJ, Season Pastries

Vegans please ask for Vegan Option

9:20 am – 10:00 am

3 Workshops

1.Diversification:Tim Stoltzfus
Galleria I

Having a wide variety of products isn't just a good idea, it is critical to survival. When done well, it will also make your business even more profitable! Join us to learn ways to make your business healthier and more resilient by broadening your product mix!"

2. The Philosophies of Running a Comic Book Shop:John Dudas
Galleria II

Start your morning with John Dudas and go over some core concepts to keep the money coming in while keeping your brain in a comfortable place.

3. Human Resources: Jenn Haines
Galleria III
Hiring, training, and retaining staff are some of the biggest challenges faced by any retail business. Learn tips and tricks on how to minimize staff turnover and build a happier, healthier team, which will help free up your time to work on your business instead of in it.

Gallerias I, II, III

10:10am –10:35 am

Introduction:  Peter Dolan
Keynote Speaker
Nick Barrucci, Dynamite

ComicsPRO Industry Award

ComicsPRO Memorial Award

Grand Ballroom I

10:35 – 10:40 Introduction:  Marco Davanzo
Comic Book Legal Defense Fund
Grand Ballroom I

10:40– 11:15 am

Industry Discussion
What are our successes in the stores?
Introduction:  John Dudas

Grand Ballroom I

11:15 AM

VOTING FOR
BOARD MEMBERS ENDS

11:20pm – 1:25pm


Lunch

Vendor Presentations
Introduction Steven Olsen

11:35 – 11:47 Rebellion
11:50 – 12:02 Dynamite

12:05 – 12:17 Valiant

12:20– 12:32 Vault
2:35– 12:47 Bad Idea
12:50 – 1:06 Dark Horse

 

Grand Ballroom I

it's a Fiesta Buffet

Tortilla Soup
Black Bean and Roasted Corn Salad
Beef Barbacoa Braised with Chipotle, Chiles, Garlic, Oregano, Cumin, and Cloves
Tequila Lime Cilantro Chicken
Fajita Vegetables – Bell Peppers – Onions sauteed in Oregano
Flour Tortillas & Tortilla Chips

Assorted Toppings:  Sour Cream, Guacamole, Pico de Gallo, Tomatillo Salsa (Medium), Red Chili Salsa (Hot), Queso Fresco

Cilantro Lime Brown Rice and Refried Beans
Sopaipilla dusted with Cinnammon
Coffee and Iced Tea

Vegans please ask for Vegan Option

1:30pm – 3:00 pm

Roundtables

See Roundtable Assignment Page

Grand Ballroom II – 20 roundtables
Galleria North – 10 roundtables

Galleria South – 10 roundtables

3:00pm – 3:20 pm

Break with Snacks!

Grand Ballroom Foyer

3:25pm – 4:45pm

Vendor Presentations
Introduction:  Joe Murray
3:25 – 3:41 DC Comics
3:45 – 3:57 ONI

4:00 – 4:16 AFTERSHOCK
4:20 – 4:36 IDW

Grand Ballroom I

4:50 pm – 6:20pm

Roundtables

Grand Ballroom II – 20 roundtables
Galleria North – 10 roundtables

Galleria South – 10 roundtables

6:20pm – 9:00pm

Break for Dinner on your own

9:00 – 9:30

CBLDF Cocktails

Grand Ballroom Foyer

9:30pm – 11:45pm

CBLDF Charity Auction

Grand Ballroom I

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22nd
Parlor C is snack room and sitting area

8:00am – 9:30am

Breakfast

Introduction:  Tim Stoltzfus

Vendor Presentations

8:15 – 8:27 First Second

8:30 – 8:42 Viz
8:45 – 9:25 Diamond + QA

Grand Ballroom I

Country Scrambled Eggs served with Applewood Smoked Bacon Strips
Breakfast Potatoes and Grilled Walla Walla Onions
Coffee, Hot Tea, OJ and seasonal pastries.

Vegans please ask for Vegan Option9:30 am – 11:00am

Roundtables

See Roundtable Assignments Page

Grand Ballroom II – 20 roundtables
Galleria North – 10 roundtables

Galleria South – 10 roundtables

11:00 am – 11:20amBreakGrand Ballroom Foyer11:20am – 12:50 pm

Roundtables

See Roundtable Assignments Page

Grand Ballroom II – 20 roundtables
Galleria North – 10 roundtables

Galleria South – 10 roundtables

12:50pm – 1:10pmBreak (With Snacks)Grand Ballroom Foyer1:10pm – 1:35pmRoundtable Shuffle
Vendors Stay at their table.
Retailers go to any of the tables for extra conversation.

Grand Ballroom II – 20 roundtables
Galleria North – 10 roundtables

Galleria South – 10 roundtables

1:35pm – 2:00pm

Closed Membership Meeting

(Members Only)

Grand Ballroom I3:30pm – 7:30pmComic Store Bus Tour

3:30 Pick up at Hilton Portland

3:40  Excalibur Comics, 2
444 SE Hawthorne Blvd
Leave 4:20

4:30 Books with Pictures
1401 SE Division St
Leave 5:10

5:20. Cloud 9 Comics
2621 SE Clinton St
Leave 6:00

6:20. Comics Adventure
15705 SE McLoughlin Blvd

7:00 Leave

7:30 Back at HiltonOutside Hotel

Unofficial Events

Sponsored by Boom! 

Shift Drinks PDX,

Friday, 2/21

7pm -9pm

1200 SW Morrison St, Portland, OR 97205
https://shiftdrinkspdx.com/
For more information, contact Morgan Perry at mperry@boom-studios.com.

Sponsored by Valiant

Valiant Entertainment at Punch Bowl Social

Friday, Feb 21st
7pm-9pm

Contact Kat for more info kato@valiantentertainment.com

Vendors Attending

1First Comics
AfterShock Comics
Anomaly Productions
Ata-boy
Artists, Writers, and Artisans (AWA)
Bad Idea
BCW Supplies
Binc Foundation
Boom! Studios
CBLDF
Clover Press
ComicHub
Creator Roundtable
Dark Horse
DC Entertainment
Devil's Due
Diamond Comic Distributors
Drawn and Quarterly Books
Dynamite Entertainment
Emerald Comics Distro
First Second Books
GTS Distribution
Humanoids
IDW Publishing
Image Comics
Impact Theory
Mad Cave Studios
Magnetic Press
Marvel
Max Protection
Nine Panel
The NPD Group
Oni Press
Penguin Random House
Rebellion Publishing
Reedpop
Saturday-AM.com
Scholastic
Scout Comics and Entertainment
Skybound
Source Point Press
Valiant Entertainment
Vault Comics
VIZ
White Noise Studios
Yen Press
Zen Monkey Studios


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Rich JohnstonAbout Rich Johnston

Founder of Bleeding Cool. The longest-serving digital news reporter in the world, since 1992. Author of The Flying Friar, Holed Up, The Avengefuls, Doctor Who: Room With A Deja Vu, The Many Murders Of Miss Cranbourne, Chase Variant. Lives in South-West London, works from Blacks on Dean Street, shops at Piranha Comics. Father of two. Political cartoonist.
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