What exactly is Salt Lake Comic Con planning for early 2014 at the Salt Palace Convention Center? That’s up to you.
Salt Lake Comic Con founder Dan Farr said he’s still in the early stages of organizing an event for Jan. 9-11 — so early, in fact, that they don’t have a name yet. They’re not even entirely sure how it will be branded: It could be another traditional comic book convention, drawing mostly from the pool of geek icons that brought between 70,000 and 80,000 fans to the Salt Palace earlier this month, or it might be something a little different, featuring international celebrities who are willing to fly in a few days early for Park City’s pageantry.
“‘Comic Con’ is a misnomer, because they really are this fan experience of pop culture convention,” said Farr, who booked the likes of Marvel legend Stan Lee for Salt Lake Comic Con, but also inked comic con regulars from sci-fi, action and children’s genres. Farr says the celebrities had no complaints and were universally pleased with their earnings at the show.
As with Salt Lake Comic Con, Farr said he’s going to let demand drive the size of the event. But it will likely be smaller.
As for Sundance, Farr said he wanted to book his event the very same week, but the Salt Palace couldn’t accommodate him. He thinks filmmakers may be interested in further promoting their work, and that the two entities could work together in a symbiotic way. “It is different enough that I don’t think it will overlap.”
