Rhode Island Comic Con

Programming

The 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. In 2013, the convention also hosted several wedding ceremonies.

History

Rhode Island Comic Con held its first event in 2012 at the Rhode Island Convention Center and took two years to prepare. Following its success, the show grew larger the following year, now expanding from half of the convention center, to the entire show floor. 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. Hall and Nichols did appear the following year. Earlier in 2014, a horror themed convention called "Terror Con" was held. It is scheduled to return in 2017. A Halloween party was held on Friday before the convention in 2014. On the Saturday of the 2014 show, The fire marshal shutdown RICC temporarily due to over capacity caused by poor attendance flow. Rhode Island Convention Center has a maximum occupancy of 17,000 and attendance at the time of shutdown was over 20,000. It was the first time in Rhode Island Convention Center history a shutdown due to over capacity occurred. An estimated 1,500 or more attendees were unable to enter the convention. Many were attendees who left the convention but could not re-enter. The attendees in line suffered from poor weather conditions and chants for refunds began. Attendees were later allowed to enter in small groups (100 people) or could exchange tickets for Sunday. Refunds were later issued for attendees who purchased tickets but could not enter the convention. 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. Sunday did not experience the same levels of crowding and ticket sales were capped.

Prior to the 2015, RICC changed its press policy due to concerns that it limited negative free speech about the event. 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. Jorge Elorza, the mayor of Providence, participated in the Comic Con's opening ceremony. Saturday's ticket sales for Rhode Island Comic Con stopped at 10:30 a.m. The convention in 2015 had over 500 volunteers. 2016 marked the show's fifth anniversary. Comic Book Legend Stan Lee was one of the headlining guests for the 2016 show. It was his final northeast appearance. Star Wars actor Kenny Baker was originally going to attend the 2016 show, however, due to his death on August 13, 2016, this was cancelled, making it the first time in the show's history that a guest had died before their scheduled appearance. Saturday's tickets sold out two days prior to the 2016 show. The 2017 show is scheduled for November 10th-12th of 2017.