Over 475 comic industry professionals gathered online for the 2021 Comic Industry Conference sponsored by ComicsPRO. Born out of the ComicsPRO Annual Meeting, the Comic Industry Conference brings together retailers, publishers, distributors, and other vendors to discuss comic industry issues.
The event was held online from February 18-20. This gathering is usually held in rotating cities, but because of covid-19, ComicsPRO decided to hold the event online.
Representatives from all the major publishers were in attendance as well as some new faces.
“Our vendor list grows every year.” Said Marco Davanzo, Executive Director of ComicsPRO. “Publishers and other vendors always want to engage with Direct Market Retailers, and this year was no different!”
Jenn Haines, of The Dragon in Guelph, Ontario, was elected ComicsPRO board president and Katie Pryde, of Books with Pictures in Portland, Oregon, was newly elected to the board.
Rounding out the Officers, Joe Murray, of Captain Blue Hen was elected Vice President. Tim Stoltzfus, of More Fun Comics, was elected Treasurer. Colin McMahon, of Pittsburgh Comics, remains Secretary. Former President, Peter Dolan, of Main Street Comics joins Steven Olsen of A little Comic Shop and Katie Pryde, as Directors at Large.
To see a full list of Board Members and their bios, please visit the ComicsPRO website.
Board President Jenn Haines was excited for the new opportunity. “I am thrilled to be given the opportunity to carry this organization forward through these difficult times and beyond”, said Haines. “I am constantly amazed at the talent and passion of ComicsPRO retailers, their ability to adapt during these volatile times, and their eagerness to share strategies with one another. I look forward to building on what we have already accomplished, by developing greater communication and collaboration with our retail partners, with an eye to improving the industry for all.”
Kazu Kibuishi, author of the “Amulet” graphic novel series, was the keynote speaker for the conference.
ComicsPRO is a non-profit trade association dedicated to the health and progress of direct market comic book retailers. ComicsPRO allows retailers to speak with a unified voice on important industry issues, provides educational and mentoring opportunities to current and future retailers, and provides ways for members to reduce fixed costs.
