TFUK Con - Birmingham 11th May 2024

[Nigel]

I got around to booking this event, after missing out last year for reasons I don't remember. Anyone else going?

I'm looking forward to attending a small Transformers event, which I imagine will be somewhat like the early Auto Assembly and Transforce conventions.

[Fortmax2020]

I hadn't heard of it until earlier today!

How long has it been running?

[Nigel]

I think this is just the second.

[Philip Ayres]

www.primetimetoyz.co.uk/tfukcon

[Nigel]

Ooh, I just realised this is when Doctor Who's back.

[shaggydave76]

I get that they have to charge, because of all the special guest speakers, but £35!?
The last one they did only had ONE table of stuff for sale, so can hardly call it a 'Convention', but I'm sure it'll be great for those who don't want to buy, or don't like the crowds, and just like an intimate event.

Not something I'd be interested in as I'm more for buying stuff, so I'll be heading to the first Collectormania in almost 20 years back in Milton Keynes, on the 3rd, 4th and 5th May - especially as it's back in the main hall at the Shopping Centre, so it's FREE entry again

[Nigel]

Apr 18, 2024 15:35:30 GMT shaggydave76 said:

The last one they did only had ONE table of stuff for sale, so can hardly call it a 'Convention'

On the contrary, traditional conventions have little to do with buying and selling. Historically, there have been two types of fan events: conventions and collector fairs.

At a convention, the focus is on the coming together of people with a common interest. There are discussion panels and seminars, maybe workshops. There would typically be guests or guest speakers; they'd usually be happy to give an autograph or pose for a photo for free. If there are any traders or things for sale, this would be a side activity.

A collector fair is a market. The main activity is buying and selling, including buying autographs.

Today, there's far less of a divide and clear distinction between conventions and collector fairs. Events exist on more of a spectrum between the two types. Conventions now usually feature elements of collector fairs and vice versa. For example, paid autographs are now common at conventions, while media-related collector fairs typically have guests and the better fairs have guest panels. That said, the historical models haven't disappeared entirely. There are still good, traditional conventions such as Bristolcon (literary sci fi and fantasy) and Lawless (comics), while the pure collector fair tends to be for non-media related hobbies, such as antiques, stamp or toy fairs.

It's worth noting that a UK "comic con" is not a convention at all (and often have little to do with comics). It's a collector fair/market. In the UK, they grew out of collector fairs, which gradually added celebrity guests, later appropriating the "comic con" name from superficially similar events in the USA, where the events did actually develop from the traditional conventions.

I've been attending events for nearly thirty years, selling at them for twenty two, and have watched the industry change. The early conventions I attended, all the autographs were free, photos were on my own camera, and I had a whole bunch of full sketches for free from my favourite comic artists. I remember the first time there was a celebrity guest at a Cardiff comic & collectors fair: it was a massive occasion that Jeremy Bulloch was there, with the queue around the block. These days, you're lucky to get a free selfie at a lot of events.

I often hear people talking about how much they love cons or how they often go, yet I can tell from what they say that many have never actually been to a proper convention: they're referring to "comic cons". Collector fairs. Some people are so used to that type of event that I'm seeing it cause problems for convention organisers. Over the last few years, I've attended a number of events organised by Starfury. These are traditional conventions with a full panel programme, albeit with a large element of buying photographs and autographs. There are practically no traders. As they're full weekend events, they're organised with timetables for photos in the morning and panels in the afternoon, with set slots for attendees to get their photos and autographs. Now, Starfury have been organising conventions for about the same length of time I've been attending, so they know what they're doing, but they're now getting self-proclaimed convention experts, never actually having been to a proper convention, only "comic cons", criticising them, saying that they don't know how to run a convention properly, or demanding changes because they're only attending for one day. (As I said, they're full weekend events; they don't sell day tickets.)

Sorry, I ended up rambling a bit, verging on a rant at the end. But anyway, yes, TFUK Con is a convention.

[shaggydave76]

No need to apologise for the 'rant', lol
I completely get it now.
I think, over here in the UK, the word 'Convention' or 'Con' has historically been tagged on to anything to make it sound grander.
As you say, 'Comic Con' is basically a load of traders and maybe some artists doing autographs.
Perhaps they should call and suffix it as a 'Comic Mart', because technically, that's what it is. Quite similar to the monthly Comic Marts they have at the Royal National Hotel in Russell Square, but on a much bigger scale.

At least the countrywide 'Collectormania's are exactly what they say on the tin - a little bit of everything.

[Nigel]

I had an enjoyable day. As hoped and expected, it was rather reminiscent of the early UK conventions. There were only 100 attendees and about half a dozen small traders. Simon Furman and Lee Sullivan had a joint interview; Lee Stringer was to have his own later but had to cancel his appearance due to illness; and there was a recorded interview with Bob Budiansky. The rest of the day's panels were with various YouTube presenters, which was not really my cup of tea as I don't watch YouTube and of those represented, I only knew of Chris McFeely's channel. There was a small but nice display of rare toys. It was a nice, little venue that, though a late replacement for the original venue, was well suited to the event and the refreshments were reasonably priced.

TFUK Con is due to return next year. I hope that it retains this small, intimate approach over time, as it's a nice contrast to bigger events.