Are Conventions Bad For The Economy?

With the climax of San Diego’s monstrous Comic-Con came a news interview from Russia Today (RT Networks) that undoubtedly left many seething in anger and indignation. Watching the clip for this article was almost physically painful to bear as the RT news anchor interviewed a cosplayer, trying to goad her into saying that the comic cons and conventions were ‘bad’ for the United States’ ailing economy. Yet when she only continued to bring up valid, positive points, they were so bold as to cut her microphone. Though highly unprofessional and biased, this news clip does raise a relative point: the point of how good for the local, struggling economies the presence of a con, or even just the nerd culture, can be.

“If Comic-Con left San Diego, the economic stability might be in trouble because we all bring a mass amount of income to them. Every summer, every year, been doing it for over thirty years…” was Victoria Schmidt’s response after the station inquired about how she felt the con impacted San Diego, where homelessness is rampant and unemployment high. For those who attend more locals conventions, the proof is in the pudding. Cons such as Another Anime Con in Nashua, New Hampshire, Ohayocon in Columbus, Ohio or Connecticon in Hartford, Connecticut draw a mass flock of nerds with pockets lined with cash ready for the weekend. During this one weekend, the mass influx of people give a jump start to local business, shelling out money hand over foot to hotels, restaurants, gas stations, those who fly in from out of state bringing in big money to desperate airlines. These areas, for that one weekend, have a burst of tourism that would not otherwise exist without the convention circuit. One of Victoria’s memorable quotes from the clip brings back the terrible realization many had at the climax of Anime Boston: “You could wind up spending a grand without realizing it.”

Yet it is not only at conventions that the nerd and cosplay culture lends aid to the weak economy. The entertainment industry would be lost without the money brought in from the hardcore nerd class. “When they put out a comic book movie,” Victoria explained, “we come running with our money so we can go see it.” Especially in recent years, with the release of films such as the Tron sequel and Captain America, the movie industries have started targeting our culture. Where would Microsoft, Sony, Blizzard, and other big names to the nerd ears be without their loyal fanbases that save up for months in advance and wait for the stroke of midnight to buy their latest products? Gamestops, Best Buys, and local theater chains would certainly be hurting without the thousands of dollars of profit gained from catering to the nerd culture niche.

Yet the anchor continued her debasing of that which she knew nothing of, following up her next inquiry by citing the homeless living the streets of San Diego. “Why do you think they’re not spending this money coming to Washington to protest this economy or giving it to charity?” she pressed, “Why Comic-Con?” Think to how many times one gets asked at a retail store to donate to various charities, the Salvation Army bells that ring out over the Christmas season stalking the doors of big business. Victoria says it best, “There’s no saying they aren’t, this is one weekend of one year….that’s not saying they’re not spending their money in charities or towards the homeless.” She goes on to explain how her particular cosplay group spends several weekends throughout the year visiting children hospitals and using their artistic talents for fundraisers designed to raise awareness of illnesses and help these local hospitals. Many cosplayers donate to similar causes in their every day shopping, be it a single dollar to that animal shelter or ten, its something. Personal experience has given me the ears of many who work hard for charities and causes on their off time.

It is difficult to take this news report seriously. The obvious amount of unprofessional bias and how they sought to merely denounce Comic-Con and the nerd culture as a whole, rather than trying to become more educated by it, is downright insulting. Yet even from this horrible mess there is a message to be gained, one that Miss Victoria Schmidt truly said best. We as the nerd culture are an indispensable part of the US population, especially now in times of recession to those areas where it matters most. Rather than spending hundreds of dollars to stand outside the White House holding picket signs, the time, energy, and money is being spent revitalizing those areas close to home. “I don’t think it’s fair to say that just because we’re doing something where we’re having fun and doing something artistic and a little bit unusual that its not contributing to the economy, the local economy….”