Article by Chris Foti
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues across the globe, another major event has been cancelled due to health concerns. For the first time in its 50 year history, San Diego Comic Con (SDCC) will not be held this year. The annual pop culture celebration will return in 2021.
In a statement on SDCC’s website, they explain how they hoped to delay the decision, hoping that the COVID-19 concerns would lessen by summer time. Not only do attendees from across the world save and plan for the convention, but lots of exhibitors and stakeholders rely on the event for their livelihood. Whether it’s vendors in the con, or restaurants and hotels around it, the SDCC web effects so many businesses and lives.
Refunds and Transfers
For fans that have already purchased badges for the 2020 Con, they will have an option to request a refund or transfer the badge to 2021. Exhibitors will also have the same option of a refund or transfer their payment to 2021. Fans and exhibitors will get an email within the next week with instructions to request a refund.
San Diego Comic Con’s official hotel affiliate, onPeak, will also be cancelling all hotel reservations and refunding all deposits made through them. Anyone who booked through onPeak doesn’t need to take any action, the process is being handled automatically.
David Glanzer, spokesperson for the organization, said the following:
Extraordinary times require extraordinary measures and while we are saddened to take this action, we know it is the right decision. We eagerly look forward to the time when we can all meet again and share in the community we all love and enjoy.
It’s truly sad that SDCC won’t be happening this year. Obviously it’s a great event for comic book announcements, but in recent years it’s been the place to release trailers and news on upcoming movies, TV shows and video games too. It will truly be a weird summer without the excitement of SDCC announcements.
Historic Times
While sad it’s not surprising. E3, the annual video game conference, was also cancelled this summer. The NBA, MLB and MLS all shut down their seasons and schools went to an online model. SDCC stood little chance to go on.
Hopefully the world starts to get back to a reasonable sense of normal sooner than later. Until then, we’ll just have to band together and get through this. Think of the stories we’ll get to tell years down the road, we’re living in historic times!