It’s been three days since FANEXPO Boston 2023 called it a day, and while I had a great time and the people were terrific, I come away with mixed feelings, most of which had nothing to do with the convention itself or were the result of matters completely outside the control of the convention organizers.
The biggest problems are costs and logistics.
Make no mistake. I believe deep in my bones Boston is probably the easiest major urban center to get around in. After my arrival on Wednesday, Bernie and I took an Uber from Logan Airport to the hotel we stayed at during the entire convention. On Thursday, I had to pick up a couple of items in preparation which required me to travel across town. Walking the couple of blocks to the MBTA station nearby, I was able to achieve that objective relatively quick and easy. From there, I went to check out the convention center, as it didn’t exist when I used to live in Boston. Nor did the Silver Line, which I had to transfer to from the Red Line. So I was learning about New Boston in my travels.
Upon emerging from the Silver Line, I found it’s a short walk to the convention center itself, surrounded by some of the more upscale lodging accommodations. In fact, when booking a hotel room for this convention, one couldn’t find any room for under $300 that was within a reasonable walking distance from the convention center or MBTA transportation. I was lucky because Bernie and I had options as a result of traveling the past 20-plus years. But for other exhibitors who came from out of town? It was at least a 30-minute drive plus the cost of parking daily, which came to $30 or more a day.
I ended up using an Uber to initially brings my table set-up to the Convention Center on Friday and a taxi when I packed up on Sunday to bring everything back to the hotel. I took the subway back and forth the remaining times. As for taking the taxi instead of an Uber, the app wasn’t working and I had to wait an hour before a Lyft ride would pick me up, but the taxi was immediately available and to my surprise, it cost less than an Uber or Lyft ride.
Food was another matter. Just one meal at a reasonable restaurant could cost Bernie and I close to $100 without alcoholic beverages as part of the experience. Surprisingly, the food at the convention center was reasonably priced, especially when compared to what was found during Comic-Con.
Add the cost of airfare at $400 a ticket, and one finds oneself starting out in a serious deficit before one sells one item at the convention.
Bottom line for me: if I attend any convention outside of the west coast, I need at least a hotel room and a table with 2 chairs at the convention. If the convention is outside the confines of a 6-hour drive, airfare is a must as well.
The advantage I bring to convention organizers is an audience that most creators don’t have, which is generational and family-oriented. I’m easy to contact if someone is interested in me showing up.
As for the convention itself, about the only thing that truly bothered me was constantly being asked if I charged for selfies or autographs, as I don’t charge for either. About the only time I came close to doing so was when one person started to pull out a book bag’s worth of items I had worked on, so I told this person to pick 3, all of which I signed as I normally do.
I was able to finally cross meeting the great Captain Kirk himself, William Shatner, off my bucket list. Not only that, but he expressed compliments regarding the drawing I did of him which he signed. This will be matted and framed and hung on the wall near the Leonard Nimoy-signed portrait I did of Spock.
What made the event truly special for me was bringing my grandson as it was his first convention. He loved it and that more than anything made the experience priceless for me. I wouldn’t trade that for anything.