SFX (Science Fiction Expo)
SFX | |
---|---|
Status | Active |
Genre | Science Fiction Media |
Venue | Metro Toronto Convention Centre |
Location(s) | Toronto, Ontario |
Country | Canada |
Inaugurated | 1999 |
Attendance | 91,000+ in 2012 |
Organized by | Hobby Star Marketing Inc. |
Filing status | Corporate |
Website | |
http://www.fanexpocanada.com |
SFX (Science Fiction Expo) is a convention in Toronto, Canada. The convention began as a featured event of the Canadian National Expo, now known as Fan Expo Canada. SFX was first added in 1999 and the name is a slang acronym, standing loosely for Science Fiction Exposition. It was the second featured event ever added to Fan Expo Canada created by Hobby Star Marketing Incorporated. SFX traditionally runs within the Fan Expo Canada event for all four days (Thursday through Sunday) typically held the weekend before Labour Day during the summer in Toronto, Canada, at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
SFX was originally launched as one time event for Fan Expo Canada, but the popularity of the feature has made it a mainstay of the convention. Fan Expo Canada is now one of the largest events of its kind in world, filling the entire South building of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre with over 91,000 attendees in 2012. SFX as a brand is now retired, and has been completely folded into Fan Expo Canada as of 2012.
Along with panels, seminars, and workshops with industry professionals, SFX often previews science fiction related films and television series. SFX also continues programming into the evening with events like ‘The Masquerade’; a costume contest for the attendees, and various on and off site parties and receptions.
Like most major consumer conventions, SFX features a large floorspace for exhibitors. These include media companies such as movie studios and TV networks, as well as retailers and highly specialized collectibles merchants. SFX also includes a large autograph area, and a professional photographic portrait studio for attendees to get autographs and pictures with their favourite Sci Fi celebrities.
Exclusive Collectibles
In recent years SFX has become one of the few events that provides the selling of "Exclusive" products to attendees, including exclusive photography shots of the celebrities on hand, that are only available for one time at this event.
History of SFX - Locations and dates
Issues
Capacity attendance at SFX/Fan Expo Canada in 2005 has raised crowding issues. Concerns have been that the event is possibly too big for the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, even though they have moved to the largest halls in the facility. The worry of some fans is that the event will sell out and potential attendees will be denied entry as has happened at similar events such as the New York Comic Con and San Diego Comic-Con International.
Community
To strengthen its standing in the community, Hobby Star Marketing, the company that organizes SFX and Fan Expo Canada, also has worked closely with other local science fiction convention, including Toronto Trek (now Polaris); Torcon III (the 61st World Science Fiction Convention); and the Gathering of the Fellowship. In 2005, the organizers also instituted a policy of free admission to those twelve years old and younger to encourage young people to be exposed to the content, and hopefully become the next generation of fans. Most of this was in response to feedback that SFX, Fan Expo Canada, and its organizers were bad corporate citizens, losing touch with the grass roots of fandom.
References
2012:
- Fan Expo’s Massive Expansion, Toronto Sun, August 23, 2012]
- Fan Expo Canada Welcomes John Carpenter to Toronto, Toronto Star, August 23, 2012
- Lou Ferrigno Opens Fan Expo Canada, CBC News, August 23, 2012
- Couple Weds At Fan Expo Canada, Citytv News, August 24, 2012
- Fan Expo Brings Geeks and Nerds Together in Toronto, Toronto Sun, August 23, 2012
- Five Things To Do At Fan Expo Canada, Toronto Star, August 23, 2012
- John Carpenter To Hit Fan Expo Canada, Toronto Sun, August 23, 2012
- Toronto’s Fan Expo Canada Give Sneak Preview of Tim Burton’s Frankeweenie, CBC News, August 24, 2012
- Tim Burton’s Frankenweenie Exhibit Wows At Fan Expo Canada, Canada.com News, August 24, 2012
- All Things Comic and Gaming To Be Celebrated at Fan Expo Canada, 680 News, August 24, 2012
- Thousands To Attend Fan Expo Canada In Toronto, Global News, August 23, 2012
- Tim Burton’s Frankenweenie Set Pieces On Display At Fan Expo Canada, Toronto Star, August 24, 2012
- CTV Delivers Ultimate Fan Experiences at Fan Expo Canada, News Wire, August 23, 2012
- How Fan Expo Canada Became the Third Largest Convention of It’s Kind in North America, National Post, August 18, 2012
- Couple To Say I Do At Fan Expo Canada, Toronto Star, August 19, 2012
- Fan Expo, Escapism, Nostalgia and Good Feelings For Sale, National Post, August 24, 2012
- Zombies, Trekkies and Jersk: What Happens When Fan Expo Geeks Try Speed Dating, August 30, 2012
- Convention Report on Toronto’s Fan Expo, September 1, 2012
- Fan Expo Canada, John Barrowman Doesn’t Give A S**t and Billy West Inspired, The Huffington Post, August 27, 2012
- Lafayette, Buffy and the Walking Dead At Fan Expo Canada, The Huffington Post, August 26, 2012
- Toronto’s Fan Expo Gives Sneak Peek of Tim Burton's Frankenweenie, The Huffington Post, August 24, 2012
- Rose McGowan A Vision In Pink Arrives Canada For Fan Expo, Daily Mail, August 23, 2012
- For Christopher Lloyd Back To the Future is a Blast From the Past, August 27, 2012
- Couple who met at Fan Expo Canada Speed Dating get engaged exactly a year after meeting, upon their return to the event The Comic Book Syndicate, September 4, 2012
2011:
- Fan Expo Just Super, Toronto Sun, August 25, 2011
- Fan Expo Canada: Happiness Is A Warm Gun Carried By A Woman, National Post, August 26, 2011]
- Tom Felton Casts Spell En Route To Fan Expo, Daily Mail UK, August 26, 2011]
- Fan Expo Sights, Sounds & Spandex, National Post, August 27, 2011
- Fan Expo Canada Wrap Up, TV Guide, August 27, 2011
- Fan Expo A Geek Mecca, The Record, August 2011
- Fan Expo Canada Follow Up, August 2011
- Robert Englund Kicks Off Fan Expo Canada, August 26, 2011
- First Day Report on Fan Expo Canada, TheGATE.ca, August 2011
- DC’s The New 52 Announced at Fan Expo Canada, Newsarama, August 27, 2011
2010:
- Cronenberg gets heroes welcome at hometown Fan Expo Canada. The Toronto Star, August 23, 2010
- Zombies, Heroes and Villains gather at Fan Expo Canada, The Toronto Sun, August 27, 2010
- Fan Expo Canada generates long lines. CBC News, August 28, 2010
- Disney's Tron:Legacy revealed at Fan Expo Canada in 3D! Comic Book Resources, August 28, 2010
- Adam West and William Shatner drop into Fan Expo Canada CTV News, August 29, 2010
- Phasers on stunned as Fan Expo Canada disappoints sci-fi devotees, The Toronto Star, August 30, 2010
- Sci-Fi fans fume over sold out Fan Expo Canada, The Toronto Star, August 31, 2010
- Stan Lee guest of Honour at Fan Expo Canada, Comic Book Resources, August 31, 2010
- Aspen Announces Exclusives for Fan Expo Canada, Newsarama, August 2010
2009:
- Leonard Nimoy Beams Up For Toronto Fan Expo, CTV News, August 2009
- Live Long and Prosper at Fan Expo Canada, AOL Canada News, August 2009
- Leonard Nimoy Keeps On Trekking, Toronto Star, August 2009
- Bruce Campbell Has Fun With Fan Expo, Toronto Star, August 2009
- Fan Expo Canada – Fandom FAQ's, Toronto Star, August 2009
- Interview with Jake Black Fan Expo Exclusive, Newsarama, August 2009
- The Incredible Hulk Hitting Fan Expo Toronto, Metro News, August 2009
- Fan Expo Canada DC Nation, Newsarama, August 2009
- Roger Corman Still Mentoring At Fan Expo, August 2009
2008:
- Buzz Aldrin and Henry Winkler at Fan Expo Canada This Weekend, August 2008
- A Look Back At Fan Expo 2008, August 2008
- Geek Week With Fan Expo Canada, August 2008
- Don’t Miss Fan Expo This Weekend, August 2008
2007:
- Fan Expo Canada 2007, Canada.com News, August 2007
- Creatures of Rock: Creepshow at Fan Expo Canada, August 2007
- Interview with former Paradise Co-Promoter (now expo employee) Kevin Boyd and re: the con war, August 2007
- Listing of Sequential Comics Fan Expo Canada 2007 Show Reports
2006:
- 5 reasons to/not to go to Fan Expo Canada by Torontoist, August 2006
- Report: Fan Expo Toronto, Comic Book Resources, September 2006
- Comic Book News at Fan Expo, Metro News, September 2006
- Mike Mignola at Fan Expo, Metro News, September 2006
- Stars of the DC Universe at Fan Expo, September 2006
2005:
- Fan Expo Report, Comics Continuum, August 2005
- Fan Expo Contests, Eye Weekly Toronto, August 2005
2004:
- Documentation of harassment issues and news video of weapons arrest in 2004
- Canadian National Expo 2004
- 501st Legion at SFX, August 2004 (see 7 September 2012 archive)
2003:
- Angel’s J. August Richards at Canadian National Expo, August 2003
- The 501st Legion at SFX, August 2003 (see 11 April 2012 archive)
2002:
2001:
2000: