Kevin Standlee (kevin_standlee) wrote,
Kevin Standlee
kevin_standlee
  • Mood: cheerful

SF Conventions on Public Radio

American Public Media's Marketplace program ran a story today about science fiction conventions, focusing on what a big business they are and giving the impression that all conventions have to do with television, movies, and comics. Ben Yalow got a couple of quotes in it, including a good one about "These are all my friends; there are 5,000 of them." I was surprised to see us grouped in as "consumer trade shows" like boat shows and the like, because the kinds of conventions I attend and organize are what I think of as SMERFs -- Social, Military, Educational, Religious, and Fraternal organizations. Still, I can see how the major exhibits, art show, and dealers room are the "trade show" aspects of the event, and why a business-oriented program like Marketplace would emphasize it.
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