Geek'd Con

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Geek'd Con
StatusActive
GenrePop Culture Convention
VenueHilton Hotel Convention Center (Shreveport)
Location(s)Shreveport
CountryUnited States
Inaugurated2015
Attendance15,000 in 2015
Organized byGreg Atoms, Townsquare Media
Filing statusCorporate
Websitehttp://www.geekdcon.com/

Geek'd Con is an annual fan convention held in Shreveport, Louisiana. The event was founded in 2015, and debuted as one of the largest Comic book convention in the state of Louisiana, with a first year attendance that topped 12,000 people over three days.

The event showcases comic books, science fiction/fantasy, pop culture and fandom elements, such as horror, anime, manga, animation, toys, collectible card games, video games and web entertainment. Like most comic book conventions, Geek'd Con features a large floorspace, taking up two full floors at the Hilton Hotel Convention Center (Shreveport) for exhibitors. The event includes a large autographs area, as well as an Artists Alley, where comic book artists can sign autographs and sell or do sketches.

Economic impact[edit]

In 2016, Geek'd Con's economic impact for the Shreveport area exceeds $1.4 Million annually.[1] As of the 2019 event, the economic impact grew to $2.2 Million.[2]

Expansions[edit]

After the 2015 show in Shreveport, the Geek'd Con brand expanded to new markets. The first expansion was to Tyler, Texas in June 2016, with a second expansion to Rockford, Illinois in October of the same year. While the mild success of this event further expansions have been placed on hold due to low attendance records.

History, locations and dates[edit]

Dates Location Attendance Notable guests Notes
August 21–23, 2015 Hilton Hotel Convention Center (Shreveport) Est. 12,000 [3] Peter Mayhew, Jeremy London, Jim Cummings, Rob Paulsen, Maurice LaMarche, Jess Harnell, April Stewart, Lindsey McKeon, Samantha Smith, Victor Gischler, Joe Eisma, Jason Starr, Ben Dunn, Jennifer Lynn Warren Kim Rhodes was originally scheduled to appear, but canceled prior to the show
June 4–5, 2016 Harvey Convention Center Est. 1,200 Samuel Witwer, Helen Slater, Pruitt Taylor Vince, Lindsey McKeon, Jennifer Lynn Warren, James C. Leary Titled: Geek'd Con: Tyler
August 19–21, 2016 Hilton Hotel Convention Center (Shreveport) 15,000 [4] Cassandra Peterson, Tara Reid, George Pérez, Kathy Najimy, Brian O'Halloran, Pruitt Taylor Vince, Tate Steinsiek, Karlee Perez, Azure Parsons, Chris Rager, Josh Martin, Jennifer Lynn Warren John Morrison (wrestler) was originally scheduled to appear, but airport delays caused his cancellation the day of the show
October 1–2, 2016 Mercy Indoor Sports Center Est. 2,600 Barry Bostwick, Svengoolie, Booker T (wrestler), John Ostrander, Jeremy London, Lew Temple, Pruitt Taylor Vince, Naomi Grossman, Jennifer Lynn Warren, Steve Cardenas, Lindsey McKeon, Will Pfeifer, Phil Moy, Jeff Moy
August 18–20, 2017 Hilton Hotel Convention Center (Shreveport) Est. 11,000 [5] Lou Ferrigno, Joey Fatone, Billy West, Kelly Hu, Sam J. Jones, Gil Gerard, Andy Field, Roland Paris
August 17–19, 2018 Hilton Hotel Convention Center (Shreveport) Est.12,000 [6] Mick Foley, Chris Sarandon, Erik Estrada, Christopher Judge, John Wesley Shipp, Helen Slater, Matthew Wood (sound editor), Dana Snyder, Mike Grell
August 16–18, 2019 Hilton Hotel Convention Center (Shreveport) Est. 18,000 [7] Michael Rooker, LeVar Burton, Barry Bostwick, Trish Stratus, Lori Petty, Kevin Nash, Sonny Strait, Kara Edwards, Cynthia Cranz, Josh Martin, Chris Rager, Mark Ryan (actor)
August 21–23, 2020[8] Hilton Hotel Convention Center (Shreveport) Canceled Jason Mewes, Ryan Hurst, Lou Ferrigno, Peter Facinelli, Scott Hall, Kate Flannery, Christopher McDonald, Daniel Franzese, Jonathan Bennett, Jim Tavare, Scout Taylor Compton, Ming Chen, and two unannounced Headliners Event was canceled due to COVID-19 Pandemic
August 13–15, 2021 [9] Hilton Hotel Convention Center (Shreveport) Alice Cooper, Jason Mewes, Peter Facinelli, Emily Swallow, Christopher McDonald, James Murray, Kim Rhodes, Jonathan Bennett, Jim Tavare, Eddie McClintock, Lexi Rabe, Ming Chen

References[edit]

  1. ^ "KSLA - Geek'd Con Grows". 18 August 2017.
  2. ^ "KEEL News - Geek'd Con Economic Impact". 28 August 2019.
  3. ^ "KTBS - Geek'd Con wraps up successful weekend at Shreveport Convention Center". 23 August 2015.
  4. ^ "KSLA - Geek'd Con draw thousands". 21 August 2016.
  5. ^ "Geek'd Con 2017 expecting record turnout". 18 August 2017.
  6. ^ "Geek'd Con 2018 Was Amazing!". 20 August 2018.
  7. ^ "The Local Economic Impact of Geek'd Con 2019". 28 August 2019.
  8. ^ Atoms, Greg (September 16, 2019). "Shreveport's Comic Con, Geek'd Con, Announces 2020 Dates". 1130 AM: The Tiger. Retrieved 2021-05-09.
  9. ^ Atoms, Greg (May 5, 2021). "Geek'd Con 2021 Ticket Details". Geek'd Con. Retrieved 2021-05-09.