Another question we get frequently is : “Are the panels at the conventions worth going to?” Our answer below!
Yes! Absolutely! Each convention offers different types of panels and there is bound to be at least one that you have an interest in. Again, if you are going to a smaller convention you can most likely fit in more then one panel as the lines for the panel will not be horrible. But if you are going to a larger convention try to make at least one panel that interests you, but make sure to get there super early so you can get a spot in line.
The thing about panels is there are a variety of topics in this little world of ours and conventions try to offer different panels each day to appeal to as many people as possible. It is worth the time to go to a panel and learn more about your favorite comic, artist, marketing for a comic book, novel, artist, etc. or to see your favorite cast member from a movie or t.v. show. Heck, even the team here when we are at conventions try to go to at least one panel at each of the convention we are at. You honestly never know what you will learn from one of them.
Now comes planning, most conventions list their program online before the start of the show. Do your research here again, check out the panels and the times they are offered. Plan out your day around the panel you are really interested in. That is not to say to miss an entire day for a panel ( unless you really really extremely want to attend a certain one), there is so much going on at the conventions and heck you paid to be apart of it all, so choose wisely!
Panels are now an integral part of conventions, people expect them to be apart of the experience. The team here as attended all types of panels ranging from how to best layout a comic book, art work, color correction, publishing and marketing. Comikaze this year had a fantastic panel on marketing your project, their panelists were very informative! ( Thank you, Comikaze!). That is the other thing about panels, the panelists and the people who attend the panels help make it fun or interesting and informative. A panel needs to have people that know what they are talking about and it helps if they have a passion for the topic other wise it is a bore fest and everyone wastes their time. Now, unfortunately, it is hard to tell how a panel is going to go. But here is the thing, if a panel is bad and you feel you are not getting what you wanted out of it, you can leave. They are not like high school when you had to ask permission to leave the room, you can just leave if you want. ( Please do so respectively though! :] ).
So the next time you are at a convention do your research and check out at least one panel, they are worth it and who knows you might just become someone who goes to more then one per convention!
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