FEZ : So we’re assuming that for Comicon 2012, the idea is even bigger…
Jillian : (smirks) Oh yeah…it will be even bigger, even more space, more big name guests, everything we take from this year, we’ll be doing it next year. We are going to be staying with the North building but I believe we will be expanding within this building.
FEZ : We know that a lot of the planning and preparation wouldn’t have started for 2012 yet, but-
Jillian : It has…
FEZ : It has?
Jillian : It has.
FEZ : Then what’s big for next year? What are the big plans?
Jillian : Because of some of the contracts with the convention center we’re not going to have this exact area so we are planning some different rooms. Of course we’re going to keep focusing on the registration line because we’ve made some improvements but we’re going to make it even better…It’s going to be all about making this bigger for more guests and more exhibitors and getting the word out to more people because the more people know, the bigger names we can get in here. We’ll also be working again with the Hyatt and also possibly with other local hotels. We haven’t done a *whole* lot yet but we have secured the convention center for next year and for the year after that.
FEZ : The guests…the big named actors…How hard is it to get big named actors here?
Jillian : It can be really tough, logistically. Just the process of negotiating the contracts can be really tough because they have requirements and we have requirements and getting those two to mesh up can be very difficult. The great thing about Phoenix Comicon is that we treat our guests very well so they go out and do some of our publicity for us. They tell other people how great it was so it’s easier for us to get big names now than it was 3 or 4 years ago.
FEZ : How much does it cost to put on something like this?
Jillian : I don’t even know, but I’m sure it’s a lot of money. The good thing is that since it’s volunteer driven, all of the money we make this year is going in to 2012. That’s how we’re going to keep getting bigger.
FEZ : So why do you do it?
Jillian : Because I love it!
FEZ : Are you a comic book person?
Jillian : My husband is a comic book person. I’m a sci-fi girl. I was a member of the Rebel Legion. That’s how I found out about the Comicon. I took a position as the Assistant Marketing Director and then when the person above me stepped down I interviewed and they gave me the position.
FEZ : Would you come in costume if you didn’t have to work?
Jillian : Yes. I have Jedi and I have a couple other characters from Star Wars. I have been working on some steam-punk but that kind of got pushed off to the side because the convention got too close and I had too much work.
Speaking of Star Wars. Full Motion, sound and everything. Great work!
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