Friends of Comic Cons

All Other Conventions (aka Friendly Neighborhood) => Other Comic Cons and Conventions => Topic started by: Transmute Jun on April 29, 2021, 05:43:14 PM

Title: SiliCon (formerly Silicon Valley Comic Con) - August 28-29 2021
Post by: Transmute Jun on April 29, 2021, 05:43:14 PM
SiliCon will be held in-person, August 28-29! More details about tickets and guests will be announced on May 15.

Anyone else planning to attend?
Title: Re: SiliCon (formerly Silicon Valley Comic Con) - August 28-29 2021
Post by: janray on April 30, 2021, 08:36:02 AM
I'm on the fence about it.  I don't think I'm ready to mingle that much yet.
When they announce the details on the 15th I'll give it some more thought.
Title: Re: SiliCon (formerly Silicon Valley Comic Con) - August 28-29 2021
Post by: Transmute Jun on April 30, 2021, 12:32:02 PM
I'm curious about the kind of show they intend to have. Adam Savage seems really into all of the maker stuff, which isn't so interesting to me. Given the long shutdown, the fact that SiliCon is a 'new branding', and the possible reluctance of big talent to attend shows again, they might decide to change the focus of the show. Personally, I'm hoping that they keep the science/pop culture mix that they have had for a long time, but that's uncertain until they give more details.
Title: Re: SiliCon (formerly Silicon Valley Comic Con) - August 28-29 2021
Post by: janray on April 30, 2021, 04:48:30 PM
I agree.  That's also part of my iffyness until I see what the focus is going to be.
Title: Re: SiliCon (formerly Silicon Valley Comic Con) - August 28-29 2021
Post by: hikanteki on April 30, 2021, 10:50:09 PM
Well this is a complete surprise. I kind of expected it to never come back, but instead it becomes the first major west coast convention to return. :o (That is, if it can still be considered ‘major’ after 2019, although to be fair nothing is probably going to be too major this year.)

I’m not too excited about it becoming a maker-faire con either. It also won’t be walking distance anymore, as we’ll be in SF by that time. So even though I really want to get back to conventions, I’m lukewarm on this one at this point. I’ll wait and see what kind of programming they announce.

Title: Re: SiliCon (formerly Silicon Valley Comic Con) - August 28-29 2021
Post by: Transmute Jun on May 08, 2021, 08:43:31 AM
SiliCon updated their website. This statement on the front page doesn't fill me with hope. (bolding is mine)

Along with Adam Savage, we’ll have as many of the elements of the show you’ve come to know and love, with a specific emphasis on even more maker and creator experiences. This is the MAKER con!

I'm really hoping for a more pop culture spin... I don't mind attending a couple of maker events, but that isn't how I want to spend the majority of my day.
Title: Re: SiliCon (formerly Silicon Valley Comic Con) - August 28-29 2021
Post by: alyssa on May 15, 2021, 09:24:08 AM
and tix are on sale

i'm really curious to see how fast or if they sell out

https://purchase.growtix.com/eh/SiliCon_with_Adam_Savage_2021/46443?utm_source=SiliCon+Alumni+and+Newsletter+Subscribers&utm_campaign=0492055651-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2020_02_25_04_24_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_64b58fe011-0492055651-197341745
Title: Re: SiliCon (formerly Silicon Valley Comic Con) - August 28-29 2021
Post by: Transmute Jun on May 15, 2021, 10:53:08 AM
2020 ticketholders were emailed with the option to roll over their badges to this year or get a discount on a new purchase for this year.

https://www.friendsofcc.com/2021/05/15/silicon-2021-tickets-now-on-sale/
Title: Re: SiliCon (formerly Silicon Valley Comic Con) - August 28-29 2021
Post by: f22raptor on May 16, 2021, 12:11:11 PM
I might attend since it's local.  Any plans for an FOCC meet-up or Sunday dinner at SiliCon?
Title: Re: SiliCon (formerly Silicon Valley Comic Con) - August 28-29 2021
Post by: Transmute Jun on May 16, 2021, 01:27:33 PM
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I might attend since it's local.  Any plans for an FOCC meet-up or Sunday dinner at SiliCon?

I usually plan one, but until just now, I thought I would be the only person attending! We can certainly have a meetup.
Title: Re: SiliCon (formerly Silicon Valley Comic Con) - August 28-29 2021
Post by: hikanteki on May 16, 2021, 03:45:39 PM
First round of guests are up and it’s a lot better than I was expecting (though mostly due to my expectations being low.) Celebrity guests are Lou Ferrigno, Bruce Boxleitner, Charles Martinet, Dirk Benedict, Jake the Snake, Kenn Scott, and Mark Sheppard. Science guests are Astronaut Cady Coleman and Physicist Kevin Grazier.

Considering that this is the first con back, the lineup is good enough to make me go assuming that they actually have panels. It’ll be weird not being able to walk to it anymore though.
Title: Re: SiliCon (formerly Silicon Valley Comic Con) - August 28-29 2021
Post by: Transmute Jun on May 16, 2021, 04:30:10 PM
Andy Weir is coming as well. His panel is usually good.
Title: Re: SiliCon (formerly Silicon Valley Comic Con) - August 28-29 2021
Post by: Transmute Jun on May 23, 2021, 03:28:03 PM
William Shatner was added as a guest.

I rolled over our VIP badges from last year to this year. I sent them an email on the 15th, but only just heard back today. I received my voucher and confirmed my badges for the 2021 show.
Title: Re: SiliCon (formerly Silicon Valley Comic Con) - August 28-29 2021
Post by: Dan Berry on July 02, 2021, 06:28:31 AM
I may attend. I'll wait for the guest list and vendor/artist alley list first.
Title: Re: SiliCon (formerly Silicon Valley Comic Con) - August 28-29 2021
Post by: Transmute Jun on July 02, 2021, 09:47:16 AM
I just got my press approval this morning, so it looks like things are moving along!
Title: Re: SiliCon (formerly Silicon Valley Comic Con) - August 28-29 2021
Post by: Dan Berry on July 02, 2021, 09:54:34 AM
Same, that's why I said what I did, haha.
Title: Re: SiliCon (formerly Silicon Valley Comic Con) - August 28-29 2021
Post by: Transmute Jun on July 23, 2021, 09:37:23 AM
Hotels are now available. The Marriott is $109 a night!!!
Title: Re: SiliCon (formerly Silicon Valley Comic Con) - August 28-29 2021
Post by: Transmute Jun on August 03, 2021, 03:53:21 PM
SiliCan has announced some of their safety measures.

https://www.friendsofcc.com/2021/08/03/silicon-announces-covid-measures/

The big one for me is that cosplay masks cannot be worn, even if there is a face covering underneath. I had an Alpha (TWD) costume I made for SDCC 2020, and needless to say, I have never worn it. But it relies on a Whisperer mask, which is not permitted under these policies.

Who is planning to attend? Does anyone want to meet up for dinner on Saturday?
Title: Re: SiliCon (formerly Silicon Valley Comic Con) - August 28-29 2021
Post by: janray on August 04, 2021, 02:28:31 PM
We have decided to pass on it this year.  I'm not comfortable with mingling with a large group yet.
We might pop in to San Jose Con on Sunday. It's an old fashion comic book con and I doubt it will be very crowded lol.
Title: Re: SiliCon (formerly Silicon Valley Comic Con) - August 28-29 2021
Post by: Transmute Jun on August 04, 2021, 03:13:55 PM
I will look forward to seeing you next year, Janray!
Title: Re: SiliCon (formerly Silicon Valley Comic Con) - August 28-29 2021
Post by: Xio on August 04, 2021, 10:16:43 PM
I'm interested to hear how it goes this year.
Title: Re: SiliCon (formerly Silicon Valley Comic Con) - August 28-29 2021
Post by: Transmute Jun on August 05, 2021, 08:18:39 AM
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I'm interested to hear how it goes this year.

I will be covering the con for the FoCC Blog, and I will post my article in this thread.
Title: Re: SiliCon (formerly Silicon Valley Comic Con) - August 28-29 2021
Post by: Transmute Jun on August 19, 2021, 06:44:57 AM
So the con is in less than 2 weeks... it is just me and Dan going?
Title: Re: SiliCon (formerly Silicon Valley Comic Con) - August 28-29 2021
Post by: Transmute Jun on August 29, 2021, 05:49:22 PM
We had a terrific time! The con was small, but very enjoyable. We got to meet and speak with many celebrities, as well as the mayor of San Jose.

https://www.friendsofcc.com/2021/08/29/silicon-2021-sets-the-standard-for-a-return-to-cons/
Title: Re: SiliCon (formerly Silicon Valley Comic Con) - August 28-29 2021
Post by: hikanteki on August 29, 2021, 09:46:51 PM
I went on Saturday and had a great time as well. I almost didn't go after how 2019 turned out, but I'm glad I went. As far as attendees and vendors goes, it was definitely smaller than 2019, but the panel selection was on par with 2019, maybe even a bit bigger. But the main difference from last time IMO is that this year, they organized it very well. It was a far cry from the dumpster fire that 2019 was. They didn't try to bite off more than they could chew, nor did they pretend to be anything they weren't. Covid protocols were as inobtrusive as they could be; just masks (which is mandated indoors in Santa Clara county) and temperature checks.

I have no opinion of Adam Savage either way, but during the opening ceremony, I'd never been so happy to see him walk on stage. The guests and attendees were clearly happy to be back. I attended panels featuring Gail Simone, Bruce Boxleitner, and Mark Sheppard, all of which were top notch. I went to a Mark Sheppard panel at ECCC some years back and found him annoying, but this weekend I thought his panel was pretty awesome. Maybe it's because last time, Supernatural was still a thing (which I haven't gotten into), it was a nearly all Q&A format, and almost all of the questions people asked him were about Supernatural. But now that has cooled off, he talked more about his career and life in general as well as some of his musical projects. He also gave stupid responses to many of the moderator's stupid questions, which I thought was funny. (The moderator was a good sport about it, though.) The last panel I attended was the Komedio Nerd Comedy Showcase, which was a good endcap.

The only part I thought was shaky was actually the science section. There were a couple of NASA panels added at the last moment, but nearly all of them were zoom calls, which doesn't work. I tried going to some of these but left after a few minutes. IMO, the only one of these with a virtual guest that was watchable was the opening ceremony with astronaut Cady Coleman. Cady Coleman zoomed in and Adam Savage and author/puppeteer Mary Robinette Kowal were in person. The main reason this worked is that Cady Coleman was so charismatic (unlike some of the other science panel guests) that she made me want to pay attention even though she was just on the screen, and her and Savage and Kowal seemed to have very good chemistry.

The exhibitor hall wasn't much, but I wasn't expecting much. The dealers, artist's alley, and guests were all in the main hall, and it wasn't crowded. However, I was glad to see the carpet came back. I picked up a Hello Kitty Bobblehead from the SF Giants booth and an Aggretsuko print from the Artist's Alley. I was also glad that the security didn't take away people's food like in 2019 (which tbh seemed to be security's sole purpose that year), especially given the lack of food booths.

Overall, this was the perfect first con back. They cut things down to the bare essentials, and it worked. Hopefully they can build upon this foundation for future years.