Pensacon

Pensacon is a North American multigenre convention, founded in 2013, which takes place once each year in Pensacola, Florida. As of 2018, the convention draws an attendance of more than 25,000, features around 100 media guests, encompasses five venues in downtown Pensacola and runs hundreds of hours of programming for fans of science fiction, fantasy, comic books, and other elements of fan culture. It is operated by a private for-profit corporation, with the help of a 350-member volunteer staff.

Pensacon
Pensacon 2015
StatusActive
GenreMulti-genre
VenueCrowne Plaza Pensacola Grand Hotel, Pensacola Bay Center
Location(s)Pensacola, Florida
CountryUnited States
Inaugurated2014
Attendance11,000+[1]
Organized byMike Ensley, Chairman
Filing statusFor-profit
Websitehttp://www.pensacon.com/

Economic impact

On February 21-23, 2014, Pensacon attracted an estimated 11,000 unique attendees at the Pensacola Crowne Plaza Grand Hotel and the Pensacola Bay Center. It is estimated that Pensacon 2014 attendees contributed $1,408,108 to the local Pensacola economy. 39% of the event attendees were visitors to Pensacola, and it is estimated that Pensacon 2014 generated 5,183 room nights.[2][3]

Programming

As of 2014, Pensacon is a 3-day event comprising events such as panels, costume contests, themed runs, and workshops, with over 30 specialized programming tracks that include writing, art, anime, gaming, Science Fiction and Fantasy Literature, comic books, costuming, space, science, online media, independent film, podcasting, robotics, Star Trek, Star Wars, Battlestar Galactica, The X-Files, Doctor Who, apocalyptic themes, British and American SF television, the Pensacon Short Film Festival, with celebrity guest features (e.g., Billy Dee Williams, Peter Mayhew, Ernie Hudson, Dirk Benedict ).[4]

Monica Rial Controversy

In the weeks leading up to Pensacon 2019, one of their planned panelists, Monica Rial, became involved with the controversy surrounding the allegations of sexual misconduct by voice actor Vic Mignogna after speaking out against the voice actor. As a result, Rial was harassed by some supporters of Vic Mignogna through Twitter, especially after Funimation cut ties with Mignogna in light of the controversy following an internal investigation. Pensacon responded to Twitter messages from people claiming that they would attend the convention to "harass and question" Rial by announcing a zero tolerance policy, and threatened people with arrest if they harassed Rial at the convention.[5][6] After threats were directed at Rial – including a bomb threat directed towards the convention – security at the event was increased.[6]

References
  1. "Pensacon has $1.4 million impact, set to return Feb. 27, 2015".
  2. "Pensacon packs financial punch for Pensacola".
  3. "Pensacon has $1.4 million impact, set to return Feb. 27, 2015".
  4. "Pensacon".
  5. Apolinar, Bryant. (February 19, 2019). "Pensacon increases security measures after Twitter controversy", WEAR-TV. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  6. Clerkley, Danielle. (February 19, 2019). "Pensacola Police investigating bomb threat made towards Pensacon", WKRG-TV. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
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