Advanstar Teams Up with Stan Lee's Comikaze for 2012 Show
June 13, 2012
Opening day of the Licensing Expo at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas this week had some added excitement when a special ceremony was held announcing that Advanstar Communications, which runs Licensing, was forming a strategic and operating partnership with Stan Lee’s Comikaze Expo presented by POW! Entertainment.
The announcement was made in Advanstar’s booth on the showfloor by Chris DeMoulin, executive vice president of customer development and president of licensing for Advanstar, as well as Stan Lee, who gave a video message, and another Comikaze event partner, Cassandra Peterson, better known as Elvira Mistress of the Dark, and the event’s founder Regina Carpinelli.
“We’re committed to making this expo the largest consumer event in the world!” said comic book legend Stan Lee, creator of “Spider-Man” and “Avengers”, to name a few.
He added, “Advanstar will help us get even more excitement and pop culture brands to showcase their work in front of millions of fans.”
Lee ended the message with his trademark phrase “Excelsior!”, meaning “ever upward”.
The Comikaze event debuted last year at the Los Angeles Convention Center and attracted 35,000 fans and 300 exhibitors.
Advanstar plans to leverage their existing relationships with studios and entertainment brands through its licensing division to grow Comikaze even more, according to Advanstar officials.
Through not only the Licensing Expo, but also the Brand Licensing Expo in London, Advanstar brings together more than 600 entertainment and intellectual property owners with tens of thousands of potential business owners.
“Stan Lee is an icon and a legend, creating many of the superheroes that have captured our imaginations,” said Joe Loggia, Advanstar’s CEO.
He added, “We are extremely impressed with all that he and Regina have accomplished in a short period of time.”
Carpinelli told the gathered crowd at Advanstar’s booth that the idea to create Comikaze was born after she and her brother couldn’t get into San Diego’s Comic-Con International convention.
“We had our first show last year and broke every, single record,” Carpinelli said.
She added, “We want your brand to do well at our show. We want to put your brand in front of more consumers.”
Peterson said she has gone to several conventions during her lifetime as Elvira so she was “skeptical” when she was first approached about attending Comikaze.
“When I went in, I was so thrilled,” she added. “I was very pleased to be there and be a part of it.”
So much so she signed on as a partner.
“Between Stan Lee, Elvira and Advanstar as our new partner, I am proud to say that we will conquer the galaxy,” Carpinelli added.
The next Comikaze Expo will run Sept. 15-16 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
Partner Voices
Overview:
The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality.
In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way.
“We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.”
Amenities:
The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.
The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience
The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need.
Gold Key Members
The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events.
OCCC Events:
This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.
The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:
AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023
200,000 Attendees
$257 Million in Economic Impact
MEGACON 2023
160,000 Attendees
$205 Million in Economic Impact
Open Championship Series 2023
69,500 Attendees
$89 Million in Economic Impact
Sunshine Classic 2023
42,000 Attendees
$54 Million in Economic Impact
Premiere Orlando 2023
42,000 Attendees
$108 Million in Economic Impact
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