Rhode Island Comic Con (RICC) is a three-day comic convention held during November at the Rhode Island Convention Center, Amica Mutual Pavilion, and Omni Providence Hotel in Providence, Rhode Island.[1][2][3] The convention was Rhode Island's first Comic Con.[4] Organizers also run Terror Con, a horror convention at the same location,[5] and starting in 2023, the Rhode Island Anime Con was held at the same location as well.[6]
Rhode Island Comic Con | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Status | Active |
Genre | Comics |
Venue | Rhode Island Convention Center[1] Amica Mutual Pavilion[2] Omni Providence Hotel[3] |
Location(s) | Providence, Rhode Island |
Country | United States |
Inaugurated | 2012[4] |
Attendance | 81,000 in 2016[5] |
Organized by | Altered Reality Entertainment LLC[1] |
Website | www |
Programming
editThe convention typically offers artists, celebrity guests, cars, comic book authors, a costume contest, gaming, kids-con, professional wrestlers, vendors, video game tournaments, and voice artists.[1][4][7][8] In 2013, the convention also hosted several wedding ceremonies.[8] The 2018 event brought an estimated $4.2 million to the area's economy.[9]
History
editRhode Island Comic Con held its first event in 2012 at the Rhode Island Convention Center and took two years to prepare.[4] David Anders, Anthony Michael Hall, Madison Lintz, Jett Lucas, Nichelle Nichols, Chanel Ryan, and Raphael Sbarge could not make it to the 2013 convention due to the 2013 Los Angeles International Airport shooting.[10][11] A Halloween party was held on Friday before the convention in 2014.[1] The fire marshal shutdown RICC temporarily on Saturday due to over capacity caused by poor attendance flow.[12][13] Rhode Island Convention Center has a maximum occupancy of 17,000 and attendance at the time of shutdown was over 20,000.[14][15] It was the first time in Rhode Island Convention Center history a shutdown due to over capacity occurred.[12][15] An estimated 1,500 or more attendees were unable to enter the convention.[12][16] Many were attendees who left the convention but could not re-enter.[14][17] The attendees in line suffered from poor weather conditions and chants for refunds began.[18][19][20] Attendees were later allowed to enter in small groups (100 people) or could exchange tickets for Sunday.[12][16] Refunds were later issued for attendees who purchased tickets but could not enter the convention.[20][21] Crowding was also caused by the convention's 50 percent growth, not using all available space, and the convention center not being prepared for attendees to stay so long.[20][21] Sunday did not experience the same levels of crowding and ticket sales were capped.[22][23]
Prior to the 2015, RICC changed its press policy due to concerns that it limited negative free speech about the event.[24] The convention made several changes to prevent overcrowding issues in 2015. The changes included expanding to the Dunkin' Donuts Center, increasing to three days, ticket scanning to accurately know attendance figures, a 17,000 ticket sales cap per day, and increased vendor food supply.[2][25] Carrie Fisher cancelled her 2015 appearance due to illness.[2][26] Jorge Elorza, the mayor of Providence, participated in the Comic Con's opening ceremony.[27] Saturday's ticket sales for Rhode Island Comic Con stopped at 10:30 a.m.[28] The convention in 2015 had over 500 volunteers.[25] Before 2016's convention, Kate Beckinsale canceled her appearance due to work commitments.[29] Friday and Saturday tickets sold out for the 2016 convention.[30] "Rhode Warrior", the conventions comic book, launched at the 2016 event.[31][32] Due to issues with photo ops after 2016, a different company was used in 2017, and RICC added ballroom space (Narragansett Ballrooms) in the Omni Providence Hotel.[3][5][33] Additional line space was added in a large tent behind the Dunkin' Donuts Center.[33]
Several major guests cancelled before the 2017 convention, including Jon Bernthal, Richard Dreyfuss, Lennie James, Tom Payne, Khary Payton, Norman Reedus, and Mark Ruffalo.[34][35] Several Walking Dead guests had to cancel their appearance due to shooting delays on the season finale.[36] The convention's ticket sales were limited to 17,000 per day, with Saturday being sold out.[33] RICC also added the Geekfest film festival and a Gene Simmons concert at the Veterans Memorial Auditorium.[37][33] The convention used the Omni Providence Hotel for almost all panel content in 2018.[38] An additional entrance was also added to the convention to reduce wait times.[39] Rhode Island Comic Con 2020 and Rhode Island Comic Con Summer Edition 2021 were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[40][41][42][43] The 2021 convention had mask requirements, but enforcement was poor.[44][45]
Event history
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d e Smith, Andy (October 30, 2014). "R.I. Comic Con offers a chance to mingle with sci-fi stars". Providence Journal. Retrieved November 2, 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f Smith, Andy (November 5, 2015). "R.I. Comic Con is back and bigger, with plan to handle crowds". Providence Journal. Retrieved December 24, 2015.
- ^ a b c d Monaghan, Bryan (October 10, 2017). "One month out: Rhode Island Comic Con officially bigger than ever". WJAR. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f Hendricks, Jordan (November 5, 2012). "First R.I. Comic Con draws celebrities, gamers". Brown Daily Herald. Retrieved November 2, 2014.
- ^ a b c d e Monaghan, Bryan (February 8, 2017). "Rhode Island Comic Con makes a change for 2017". NBC10. Retrieved July 1, 2017.
- ^ "Rhode Island Anime Con". Retrieved April 24, 2023.
- ^ a b Weisberg, Tim (October 30, 2014). "Rhode Island Comic Con: 5 things you can't miss". South Coast Today. Retrieved November 3, 2014.
- ^ a b c d Pelletier, Jenna (October 31, 2013). "Fantasy becomes reality as R.I. Comic Con swoops into Providence this weekend". Providence Journal. Retrieved November 6, 2014.
- ^ Gugliotta, Tony (November 2, 2018). "RI Comic Con underway in Providence". NBC10. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
- ^ a b Weisberg, Tim (November 10, 2013). "Reflections on an epic Comic Con". South Coast Today. Retrieved November 4, 2014.
- ^ Salit, Richard (November 3, 2013). "Some celebrities a no-show at RI Comic Con due to shooting at LAX". Providence Journal. Retrieved November 5, 2014.
- ^ a b c d e Ziner, Karen Lee (November 1, 2014). "What's the attraction? Overcrowded R.I. Comic Con runs short on space". Providence Journal. Retrieved November 2, 2014.
- ^ Ponte, Erica (November 2, 2014). "Comic Con officials apologize for overcrowding". WPRI. Retrieved November 2, 2014.
- ^ a b Ziner, Karen Lee (November 1, 2014). "Crowd at RI Comic Con swells to over 20,000, fire marshal not allowing anyone in". Providence Journal. Retrieved November 2, 2014.
- ^ a b "Rhode Island Comic Con ticket holders turned away". ABC6. November 2, 2014. Retrieved November 2, 2014.
- ^ a b c Semon, Craig S. (November 7, 2014). "This year's Rhode Island Comic Con had it all". News Telegram. Retrieved November 15, 2014.
- ^ Lavien, Samatha (November 1, 2014). "Comic Con reaches capacity". ABC6. Retrieved November 2, 2014.
- ^ Kolb, Jeff (November 1, 2014). "RI Comic Con turns away ticket holders after exceeding capacity". NBC10. Retrieved November 2, 2014.
- ^ Ponte, Erica (November 2, 2014). "RI Convention Center hits capacity during Comic Con". WPRI. Retrieved November 2, 2014.
- ^ a b c Naylor, Donita (November 3, 2014). "Fans locked out of R.I. Comic Con in line for ticket refunds". Providence Journal. Retrieved November 6, 2014.
- ^ a b Putman, Cierra (November 3, 2014). "Convention center says refunds available for RI Comic Con". NBC10. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
- ^ Reyes, Gabriella (November 4, 2014). "In costume, thousands trek to Rhode Island Comic Con". Brown Daily Herald. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
- ^ Putman, Cierra (November 3, 2014). "Convention center says refunds available for RI Comic Con TV". NBC10. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
- ^ "NEW: RI Comic Con Apologizes for Attempting to Control Press Coverage". GoLocalProv. August 13, 2015. Retrieved December 24, 2015.
- ^ a b c d M. Grosvenor, Amanda (October 26, 2015). "The Geek Shall Inherit The Earth". Providence Monthly. Retrieved December 26, 2015.
- ^ "NEW: Carrie Fisher Drops Out of Comic Con Due to Illness". GoLocalProv. November 6, 2015. Retrieved December 24, 2015.
- ^ Gugliotta, Tony (November 6, 2015). "Rhode Island Comic Con kicks off in Providence". WJAR. Retrieved December 26, 2015.
- ^ White, Matthew (November 7, 2015). "Rhode Island Comic Con sees more exhibits, better organization". WJAR. Retrieved December 26, 2015.
- ^ "Kate Beckinsale Cancels RI Comic Con Appearance". GoLocalProv. November 5, 2016. Retrieved July 1, 2017.
- ^ Anderson, Patrick (November 13, 2016). "R.I. Comic Con draws the good, the bad and the ugly to Providence". Providence Journal. Retrieved July 1, 2017.
- ^ Smith, Andy (November 9, 2016). "R.I.-inspired 'Rhode Warrior' comic to debut at Comic Con". Providence Journal. Retrieved July 8, 2017.
- ^ a b Seoane, Valley (November 8, 2016). "Geeks unite: R.I. Comic Con has something for fans of every stripe". The Valley Breeze. Retrieved July 8, 2017.
- ^ a b c d e Smith, Andy (November 8, 2017). "Rhode Island Comic Con is bigger than ever this weekend". Providence Journal. Retrieved February 28, 2018.
- ^ Monaghan, Bryan (November 10, 2017). "Late cancellations plague Rhode Island Comic Con again". WJAR. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
- ^ O'Coin, Tim (November 10, 2017). "RI Comic Con loses Mark Ruffalo, 'Walking Dead' cast". WPRI. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
- ^ a b Smith, Andy (September 15, 2018). "2018 Fall Guide: Rhode Island Comic Con attracts stars from 'Walking Dead,' 'American Horror Story, 'It'". Providence Journal. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
- ^ a b Smith, Andy (September 23, 2017). "'Walking Dead' cast to headline R.I. Comic Con". Providence Journal. Retrieved February 27, 2018.
- ^ Monaghan, Bryan (October 26, 2018). "Rhode Island Comic Con adds Omni Hotel to show layout". NBC10. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
- ^ Calabro, Joe (November 1, 2018). "10 Things You Must See at RI Comic-Con 2018". GoLocalProv. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
- ^ O'Coin, Tim (June 8, 2020). "RI Comic Con canceled this year". WPRI. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
- ^ "Rhode Island Comic Con 2020 Information". FanCons.com. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
- ^ "Rhode Island Comic Con cancels Summer Edition event". WJAR. March 15, 2021. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
- ^ "Rhode Island Comic Con Summer Edition 2021 Information". FanCons.com. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
- ^ a b Monaghan, Bryann (October 15, 2021). "Rhode Island Comic Con ready to return next month". WJAR. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
- ^ Edward, Paul (November 10, 2021). "Masks required at the RI Convention Center? Don't bet on it". The Providence Journal. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
- ^ "Rhode Island Comic Con 2012 Information". FanCons.com. Retrieved December 9, 2015.
- ^ Alvarez, Victor (October 31, 2012). "Geek heaven at the Comic Con". The Phoenix. Retrieved November 5, 2014.
- ^ a b Rosenberg, Alan (September 13, 2013). "Comic Con: Rhode Island's 2nd annual pop-culture convention is not to be missed". Providence Journal. Retrieved November 6, 2014.
- ^ "Rhode Island Comic Con 2013 Information". FanCons.com. Retrieved February 20, 2018.
- ^ Bender, John (November 6, 2015). "Thousands Expected To Descend On Providence For RI Comic Con". Rhode Island Public Radio. Retrieved December 26, 2015.
- ^ Grimaldi, Paul (September 7, 2015). "Popularity of R.I. Comic Con spurs expansion, ticket changes". Providence Journal. Retrieved December 26, 2015.
- ^ Melo, Courtney (November 3, 2014). "Was Comic Con Too Popular - Fire Marshall and Social Media Less Than Pleased". GoLocalProv. Retrieved November 15, 2014.
- ^ "Rhode Island Comic Con 2014 Information". FanCons.com. Retrieved February 20, 2018.
- ^ "Voices of Batman, Spongebob Coming to RI Comic Con". GoLocalProv. September 23, 2015. Retrieved December 24, 2015.
- ^ Paulin, Benjamin (November 4, 2015). "'Incredible Hulk' actor Lou Ferrigno is coming to R.I. Comic Con". The Patriot Ledger. Retrieved December 26, 2015.
- ^ "Rhode Island Comic Con 2015 Information". FanCons.com. Retrieved February 20, 2018.
- ^ Cerrone, Alana (November 11, 2015). "Rhode Island Comic Con invades Providence". ABC6. Retrieved December 26, 2015.
- ^ Damish, Steve (November 13, 2015). "Hollywood stars shine at Providence Comic Con, but for a price". The Patriot Ledger. Retrieved December 26, 2015.
- ^ "PHOTOS: Rhode Island Comic Con 2016". GoLocalProv. November 13, 2016. Retrieved July 1, 2017.
- ^ "Rhode Island Comic Con 2016 Information". FanCons.com. Retrieved February 20, 2018.
- ^ "Rhode Island Comic Con 2017 Information". FanCons.com. Retrieved February 20, 2018.
- ^ Smith, Andy (November 10, 2017). "RI Comic Con: Fantasy bazaar for fans of all ages". Providence Journal. Retrieved February 27, 2018.
- ^ Duguay, Rob (September 6, 2017). "RI Comic Con Comes Back To Providence › Providence, Rhode Island › Motif Magazine". Motif. Retrieved February 27, 2018.
- ^ Monaghan, Bryan (August 8, 2017). "Theme weeks stack the deck for Rhode Island Comic Con". WJAR. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
- ^ "Rhode Island Comic Con 2018 Information". FanCons.com. Retrieved April 22, 2019.
- ^ Semon, Craig S. (November 2, 2018). "Rhode Island Comic Con has plenty to offer". News Telegram. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
- ^ "Rhode Island Comic Con happening this weekend in Providence". NBC10. November 2, 2019. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
- ^ Botelho, Jessica A. (November 1, 2019). "Fans line up for Lou Ferrigno, Tom Berenger, other celebs at RI Comic Con". NBC10. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
- ^ Duguay, Rob (October 30, 2019). "Starry weekend ahead at Rhode Island Comic Con". Providence Journal. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
- ^ "Rhode Island Comic Con 2019 Information". FanCons.com. Retrieved November 27, 2019.
- ^ a b Smith, Andy (October 28, 2021). "Must-see events at 2021 Rhode Island Comic Con: William Shatner, Kevin Smith and more". Providence Journal. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
- ^ Dumont, Tyler (November 9, 2021). "Providence sees boost in business with large events back at the Dunkin' Donuts Center". WJAR. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
- ^ "Rhode Island Comic Con 2021 Information". FanCons.com. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
- ^ Benvides, Eric (October 28, 2021). "Cast of 'Cobra Kai,' popular film reunions headline R.I. Comic Con return". The Valley Breeze. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
- ^ Semon, Craig S. (November 2, 2021). "RICC to welcome stars from 'Cobra Kai,' 'Clerks' and more". Worcester Magazine. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
- ^ Higgins, Brendan (November 7, 2022). "RI Comic Con 2022: A Celebration of Self-expression – Brendan Higgins". RINewsToday.com. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
- ^ "Rhode Island Comic Con 2022 Information". FanCons.com. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
- ^ "Rhode Island Comic Con 2023 Information". FanCons.com. Retrieved March 29, 2023.