Dragon Con
Dragon Con | |
---|---|
Status | Active |
Genre | Multigenre |
Venue | Hyatt Regency Atlanta, Atlanta Marriott Marquis, Atlanta Hilton and Towers, Courtland Grand Hotel (Formerly Sheraton Atlanta), Westin Peachtree Plaza, AmericasMart |
Location(s) | Atlanta, Georgia |
Coordinates | 33°45′41″N 84°23′15″W / 33.761397°N 84.387536°W |
Country | United States |
Inaugurated | 1987 |
Attendance | 80,000+ in 2017[1] |
Organized by | Rachel Reeves an David Cody, Co-Chairmen[2] |
Filing status | For-profit |
Website | www |
Dragon Con (previously Dragon*Con and sometimes DragonCon) is a
History
Dragon Con was launched in 1987, as a project of a local science fiction and gaming group, the Dragon Alliance of Gamers and Role-Players (DAGR). It was founded by a board of directors including John Bunnell, David Cody, Robert Dennis, Mike Helba, Pat Henry, and Ed Kramer.[4]
The name "Dragon" for the club was derived from Kramer's
The 1987 inaugural Dragon*Con took place at the Pierremont Plaza Hotel, drew 1400 fans,
The convention grew rapidly. In 1989, it drew 2,400 fans (many to see Guest of Honor Anne McCaffrey), and the event had moved to the Omni Hotel and Convention Center. In 1990, the convention had doubled again, added a Comics Expo, hosted the Origins convention, this time with Guest of Honor Tom Clancy, and expanded to include the Atlanta Sheraton hotel. In 1991 the first "Robot Battles" robotic competition event was added to the list of Dragon*Con events, making it the second oldest robotic competition event in the world.[7]
In 1993, Dragon*Con was the home of the Wizard Fan Awards.[8]
By 1995, when Dragon*Con hosted the
In 2000, Ed Kramer ceased to have an active role in managing the convention, but still owned 34% of the company. In 2011, Kramer sued the organizers, leveling charges that he was not receiving his fair share of the con's profits.[13] Kramer's relationship with the convention was fully severed in July 2013 in a cash-out merger, at which point the name of the convention and business officially changed to "Dragon Con" (replacing the asterisk with a space).[14]
At the convention's 20th anniversary in 2007, there were 22,000 attendees, and the convention continued to grow, drawing 27,000 attendees in 2007, 40,000 in 2010, 57,000 in 2013,[5][15] and over 80,000 in 2017.[1]
On July 6, 2020, it was announced that Dragon Con had been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with a virtual event being organized in its place on the original dates.[16] The event announced that it would return for 2021 with enhanced health and safety protocols; the event will be capped at around 40,000 attendees, badges will only be sold online and not on-site, masks will be mandatory within indoor spaces, and the Dragon Con parade will only be open to those who hold badges. Some of the virtual features from 2020 will also be maintained, including a "virtual marketplace", and streaming content (including free content, and a paid "DragonConTV" streaming membership). On August 17, it was also announced that all attendees must present proof of vaccination for COVID-19 or a negative test from within the past 72 hours in order to claim their badges.[17]
Year | Date | Location | Estimated Attendance |
---|---|---|---|
1987 | October | Pierremont Plaza Hotel | 1,400 |
1988 | October | Pierremont Plaza Hotel | 1,700 |
1989 | October 6 – October 8 | The Omni Hotel & Convention Center | 3,200 |
1990 | June 28 – July 1 | Atlanta Hilton & Towers, Atlanta Radisson | 6,900 |
1991 | July 12 – July 14 | Atlanta Hilton & Towers | 5,200 |
1992 | July 17 – July 19 | Atlanta Hilton & Towers | 6,100 |
1993 | July 16 – July 18 | Atlanta Hilton & Towers | 8,000 |
1994 | July 15 – July 17 | Atlanta Hilton & Towers, Westin Peachtree Plaza, Atlanta Civic Center | 11,000 |
1995 | July 13 – July 16 | Atlanta Hilton & Towers, Westin Peachtree Plaza, Atlanta Civic Center, Atlanta Ramada | 14,000 |
1996 | June 20 – June 23 | Atlanta Hilton & Towers, Westin Peachtree Plaza, Atlanta Civic Center | 13,400 |
1997 | June 26 – June 29 | The Inforum Convention Center, Westin Peachtree Plaza, Atlanta Civic Center | 18,000 |
1998 | September 3 – September 6 | Hyatt Regency, The AmericasMart | 18,000 |
1999 | July 1 – July 3 | Hyatt Regency Atlanta, Atlanta Merchandise Mart, Atlanta Apparel Mart | 19,000 |
2000 | June 29 – July 2 | Hyatt Regency Atlanta, Atlanta Merchandise Mart, Atlanta Apparel Mart | 20,000 |
2001 | August 31 – September 3 | Hyatt Regency Atlanta, Marriott Marquis | 20,000+ |
2002 | August 30 – September 2 | Hyatt Regency Atlanta, Marriott Marquis | 20,000+ |
2003 | August 29 – September 1 | Hyatt Regency Atlanta, Marriott Marquis | 20,000+ |
2004 | September 3 – September 6 | Hyatt Regency Atlanta, Marriott Marquis | 20,000+ |
2005 | September 2 – September 5 | Hyatt Regency Atlanta, Marriott Marquis, Atlanta Hilton | 20,000+ |
2006 | September 1 – September 4 | Hyatt Regency Atlanta, Marriott Marquis, Atlanta Hilton | 25,000+ |
2007 | August 31 – September 3 | Hyatt Regency Atlanta, Marriott Marquis, Atlanta Hilton | 30,000+ |
2008 | August 30 – September 2 | Hyatt Regency Atlanta, Marriott Marquis, Atlanta Hilton, Sheraton | 30,000+ |
2009 | September 4 – September 7 | Hyatt Regency Atlanta, Marriott Marquis, Atlanta Hilton, Sheraton | 30,000+ |
2010 | September 3 – September 6 | Hyatt Regency Atlanta, Marriott Marquis, Atlanta Hilton, Sheraton | 30,000+ |
2011 | September 2 – September 5 | Hyatt Regency Atlanta, Marriott Marquis, Atlanta Hilton, Sheraton, Westin Peachtree Plaza | 46,000+ |
2012 | August 31 – September 3 | Hyatt Regency Atlanta, Marriott Marquis, Atlanta Hilton, Sheraton, Westin Peachtree Plaza | 53,000+ |
2013 | August 30 – September 2 | Hyatt Regency Atlanta, Marriott Marquis, Atlanta Hilton, Sheraton, Westin Peachtree Plaza, AmericasMart | 57,000+ |
2014 | August 29 – September 1 | Hyatt Regency Atlanta, Marriott Marquis, Atlanta Hilton, Sheraton, Westin Peachtree Plaza, AmericasMart | 62,000+ |
2015 | September 4 – September 7 | Hyatt Regency Atlanta, Marriott Marquis, Atlanta Hilton, Sheraton, Westin Peachtree Plaza, AmericasMart | 70,000+[20][21] |
2016 | September 2 – September 5 | Hyatt Regency Atlanta, Marriott Marquis, Atlanta Hilton, Sheraton, Westin Peachtree Plaza, AmericasMart | 77,000+[22] |
2017 | August 31 – September 4 | Hyatt Regency Atlanta, Marriott Marquis, Atlanta Hilton, Sheraton, Westin Peachtree Plaza, AmericasMart | 80,000+[1] |
2018 | August 30 – September 3 | Hyatt Regency Atlanta, Hilton Atlanta, Marriott Marquis, Sheraton, Westin Peachtree Plaza, AmericasMart 1 & 2 | 80,000[23] |
2019 | August 29 – September 5 | Hyatt Regency Atlanta, Hilton Atlanta, Marriott Marquis, Sheraton, Westin Peachtree Plaza, AmericasMart 1 & 2 | 85,000+[24] |
2020 | September 3 – September 7 | Held Online due to the COVID-19 pandemic | |
2021 | September 2 – September 6 | Hyatt Regency Atlanta, Hilton Atlanta, Marriott Marquis, Sheraton, Westin Peachtree Plaza, AmericasMart 1 & 2 | 42,000[17] |
2022 | September 1 – 5 | Hyatt Regency Atlanta, Hilton Atlanta, Marriott Marquis, Sheraton, Westin Peachtree Plaza, AmericasMart 2 & 3 | 65,000[25] |
2023 | August 31 – September 4 | Hyatt Regency Atlanta, Hilton Atlanta, Marriott Marquis, Courtland Grand Hotel (Formerly Sheraton), Westin Peachtree Plaza, AmericasMart 2 & 3 | 70,000+[26] |
Scheduled events
Programming
As of 2008, Dragon Con was a four-day event comprising approximately 3500 hours of panels, seminars, demonstrations, and workshops, with over 30 specialized programming tracks that include
As of 2017, Dragon Con is a five-day event, beginning the Thursday before Labor Day.[30]
Music and film
From its origin, music has also been a significant feature of Dragon Con, with performances by groups and artists such as
The Dragon Con Independent Short Film Festival presents the "finest independent short films of the fantastic".[32] Awards are distributed for a number of categories.
Gaming
Dragon Con hosts a variety of gaming sessions and tournaments. Opportunities include board games, miniature games, collectible card games, console games, live action and other role-playing games, and tables hosted by gaming companies, as well as panel sessions.[33]
Awards
In 1998, Dragon Con established the Julie Award, in honor of
In March 2016,
Additional awards include the Futura Award, paying homage to the Fritz Lang masterpiece Metropolis; the Parsec Awards; and the Georgia Fandom Award, renamed in 2008 as the Hank Reinhardt Award, after its first recipient.
Other
In 2002, Dragon*Con began hosting a parade through downtown Atlanta, which ran from
Economic impact
In 2015, Dragon Con attracted some 70,000+ attendees
Dragon Con routinely raises funds for designated charities. In 2005, Dragon*Con raised US$20,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Charity efforts continued with US$104,000 sent to the Atlanta Center for Self Sufficiency in 2016, including a US$50,000 corporate match. In 2013, fans voted in advance to determine the charities.[33] From 2005 through 2012, the con raised and donated almost $224,000.[33][third-party source needed]
References
- ^ a b c d "Dragon Con Wrap Up 2017 final" (PDF). Dragon Con. Retrieved September 7, 2017.
- ^ "Teams and Departments". Dragoncon. Archived from the original on February 8, 2015.
- ISBN 978-0-8095-7331-8.
- ^ "$50K bond for DragonCon founder Kramer". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. September 16, 2011. Archived from the original on September 24, 2011. Retrieved September 18, 2011.
- ^ a b c "History of Dragon.Con". dragoncon.org via Wayback machine. Archived from the original on May 9, 2008. Retrieved September 18, 2011.
- ^ Smith, Ben (February 26, 2009), "Dragon Con founder sues successor over finances", The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, retrieved March 12, 2012
- ^ "History of Robot Battles". Archived from the original on May 16, 2008.
- ^ Wizard Fan Awards Archived 2012-03-04 at the Wayback Machine. Hahn Library Comic Book Awards Almanac. Retrieved November 21, 2011.
- ^ "Peculiar Pageant Queens". foxnews.com. April 22, 2006. Archived from the original on June 20, 2009.
- ^ "6 Unusual Beauty Pageants". howstuffworks.com. September 12, 2007. Archived from the original on June 14, 2009.
- ^ Watts, Eric L. "The 2008 Miss Klingon Empire Beauty Pageant". www.trektrak.com. Archived from the original on August 5, 2009.
- Atlanta Journal.
- Atlanta Journal-Constitution November 19, 2011 Archived November 24, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Pantozzi, Jill (July 8, 2013). "Dragon*Con Officially Separates From Founder, Accused Molester, Ed Kramer". The Mary Sue. Archived from the original on July 9, 2013. Retrieved July 8, 2013.
- ^ "Sci-fi convention, now in 20th year, draws thousands". Associated Press. September 2, 2007.
- ^ "Dragon Con canceled due to coronavirus pandemic". 11Alive.com. July 6, 2020. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
- ^ a b c Wells, Myrydd (August 1, 2021). "Dragon Con announces its 2021 Covid-19 guidelines: Vaccine or negative test and masks required, no public parade spectators". Atlanta Magazine. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
- ^ "DragonCon / History of Dragon*Con". dragon-con.pbworks.com. Archived from the original on October 11, 2015. Retrieved May 22, 2017.
- ^ "Dragon*Con 2008 Information". FanCons.com. Retrieved December 12, 2019.
- ^ Boult, Adam (September 5, 2016). "Anger over 'Twin Towers' cosplayers". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on December 3, 2017. Retrieved November 29, 2017.
- ^ Sandle, Tim (September 5, 2016). "Dragon Con sci-fi fans trigger 9/11 controversy". Digital Journal. digitaljournal.com. Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved November 29, 2017.
- ^ "Dragon Con Wrap Up 2016 final" (PDF). Dragon Con. Retrieved September 7, 2016.
- ^ Eric Mandel (September 3, 2018). "Dragon Con misses record, but convention co-chair 'comfortable' with attendance". Atlanta Business Chronicle. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
- ^ "Dragon Con breaks attendance record". Atlanta Business Chronicle. September 2, 2019. Retrieved September 4, 2019.
- ^ "65,000 Stormtroopers, monsters and pop culture fans attend Dragon Con 2022". Georgia Public Broadcasting. September 6, 2022. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
- ^ "Dragon Con wraps up, raises more than $200K for cancer organization". Fox 5 Atlanta. September 5, 2023. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
- ^ "Programming Tracks". Dragon Con. Archived from the original on June 28, 2008. Retrieved July 30, 2008.
- ^ Boese, Christine (August 19, 2002). "DragonCon: All hope abandon, ye who enter here". CNN.com. Archived from the original on May 14, 2007. Retrieved August 31, 2007.
- ISBN 978-1-4344-0441-1.
- ^ 2017 Dragon Con attendance badge.
- ^ Newitz, Annalee. "Sex with storm troopers". Salon. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved August 31, 2007.
- ^ a b Foster, Eugie; Gordon, Cassy, eds. (August 2005), The Dragon*Con 2005 Program Book, vol. XIX, Atlanta, Georgia: Dragon*Con, Inc., retrieved August 24, 2018
- ^ a b c Dragon*Con Progress Report, Atlanta, Georgia: Dragon*Con, Inc., 2013, retrieved August 24, 2018
- ^ "The Dragon Awards". Dragon Con. March 31, 2013. Archived from the original on August 18, 2016. Retrieved August 19, 2016.
- ^ "Official Press Release". Dragon Con. April 4, 2016. Archived from the original on August 16, 2016. Retrieved August 19, 2016.
- ^ "The #DragonAward voting is up and running! Register for your ballot here: bit.ly/DCAwardVote". Facebook. Dragon Con. August 11, 2016. Archived from the original on May 13, 2018. Retrieved August 19, 2016.
- ^ "The Dragon Awards Presentation". Dragon Con. August 29, 2016. Archived from the original on September 9, 2016. Retrieved September 7, 2016.
- ^ Dragon*Con Parade Information Archived June 2, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Dragon Con 2016 Fact Sheet" (PDF). Dragon Con. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 1, 2017.
- ^ EndPlay (September 4, 2015). "Big events to bring 600,000 people to Atlanta this weekend". wsbtv.com. Archived from the original on September 7, 2015.
- ^ "The Impact of the Hospitality & Tourism Industry on Atlanta" (PDF). J. Mack Robinson College of Business. p. 22. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 15, 2011. Retrieved March 22, 2008.