Q&A: Fandemic Tour’s CEO previews the upcoming Houston comic con
For the second year in a row, the comic convention Fandemic Tour is set to be hosted at Houston’s NRG Center. The event – which will feature celebrity guests, vendors and artists – will take place Oct. 18-20.
CEO of Fandemic Tour John Macaluso gives insight into the upcoming event, including a look back on last year’s show.
Q: Last year was the first Fandemic Tour in Houston. How was that experience?
A: Well, in 2017, when [Hurricane Harvey] came two weeks before the event, that was supposed to be the first [Houston hosted Fandemic Tour]. Then we had to cancel it because the NRG Center was an evacuee center. Then 2018 was the first live event that actually happened. I’d like everyone to know that we were [prepared to be] there in 2017 and we would have been there in 2017 but unfortunately because of the weather we could not be.
Q: So with the 2018 show being the first live event, how was that experience?
A: It’s funny because I’ve done 150 events and I’ve never heard reviews and comments about a show like we had in Houston. The reviews were unbelievable. The fans were very appreciative. People were glad that we’re there and I think we gave them a great show. I was overall really, really pleased.
Comicpalooza is the mainstay. One day we hope to grow like them. There are so many people in Houston, so there’s certainly room for two shows. I don’t want to compete with them. I have the utmost respect for them. I think that they are a great organization. We would just like to give people an alternative at a different time of the year.
Q: Roughly how many people attended last year’s convention and do you expect that number to be larger this year?
A: Probably somewhere around 10,000. We’ll do 1 1/2 – 2 times [that amount].
Q: Are there going to be any changes or new features added to this year’s convention?
A: There’s going to be a child daycare. There’s going to be obviously different guests. There’s going to be more programming. Then, you know, maybe a couple of more little surprises for everybody.
Q: So far there has been quite a lineup of celebrity guests announced. Will there be any more names announced in the coming weeks?
A: Probably. Somewhere along the way somebody will have to drop out because of filming and we’re always looking for if somebody becomes available. We still have a very strong guest list with Sebastian [Stan], and [Jon] Bernthal, and Milo [Ventimiglia], and the Phelps Twins, and Summer [Glau], Sean Astin; our guest list is really strong. We got some great local boys like Sean Patrick Flannery and JDF [Jason David Frank]. I really like our guest list. I think it is a big, broad guest list. We have a whole “Buffy” reunion happening.
Q: Lastly, is there anything else you’d like our readers to know?
A: I would like them to come out and have some fun!
For more information on Fandemic Tour, visit www.fandemictour.com.
