NYCC set to offer special Wednesday content for retailers and pros

Typically not a five day convention, ReedPop’s New York Comic Con is growing in 2024, but in a very specific way.

Leaps and bounds

If you’re a regular on the convention circuit, then you already know that the recently wrapped SDCC has a ‘preview night’ on the Wednesday before the con actually kicks off. Preview night is exactly that, and presents the full convention-experience for show-goers who want to attend a little earlier than most.

On the flip side, NYCC has traditionally bypassed anything along the same lines. Easily another of the biggest cons on the calendar, NYCC has kept a Thursday through Sunday schedule, with nary a preview-anything to be seen. But that’s set to change this year… well, in a way.

This October (October 17th-20th, 2024) the comics and pop culture convention will be adding on a fifth day of programming, though it’ll be a special one that won’t be open to fans. The show floor will not be open, and this new day will be held in the Javits Center’s River Pavilion only, beginning at noon (and ending at 9pm eastern time) on October the 16th. So, if it’s closed to fans, then who’s it open to?

“The industry professionals who participate in New York Comic Con each year are a cornerstone in making the event what it is today,” said Kristina Rogers, VP of ReedPop US Comics Portfolio.  “By extending our programming to Wednesday for the first time this year, we are able to build out offerings that bring more value to our incredible professional partners.”  

ReedPop press release

So this new day will be open only to “comic book retailers, industry professionals, and sponsors of NYCC”. Attendees who fall into those specific categories will be able to check out “a closed event full of panels, interactive programming, free swag, and private signings”, according to producer ReedPop. That programming will be served up by “ComicsPro, Lunar, Tiny Onion, and more, covering a wide range of topics”, which will include “Get Your Shop on the News: PR Basics, Working With Schools and Libraries, and Speed Networking with Comic Book Retailers”.

Of course that’s not all, as the remainder of the con will have additional programming available for pros and retailers well, highlighted by a few marquee events. Those include a mixer on October 17th that’ll run from 7-9pm (eastern time), and the Harvey Awards. The famed award show will be held on Friday the 18th, and will recognize “outstanding achievement in multiple categories”.

If you’re a pro or retailer who’d like to hit this added day, full details on how to get in are below:

For comic book retailer professionals looking to attend the closed event on Wednesday, October 16, free Wednesday and Thursday Pro tickets to the event will be given, automatically, and professionals are pre-approved to purchase a Pro 4-Day ticket.  Signups are required if you are a retailer through Lunar Distribution.  

ReedPop press release