SPX Profile - Small Press Expo

SPX – Small Press Expo

SPX is one of America’s premier alternative comic book conventions. They specialize in independent and small press comic books, giving exposure to all manner of non-mainstream comic books. Even with hundreds of exhibitors, one of the goals of the show is to create a, “very intimate and friendly atmosphere for our creators and fans to mingle. At the same time, there’s a wide array of programming for all to enjoy.”

Twitter – http://twitter.com/SPXcomics
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Small-Press-Expo/133033510069259?ref=ts

Here are some of the attractions at SPX:

• Buying Comics
  
• Meeting Creators
  
• Comic Book Panels
  
• Animation Showcase
  
• Ignatz Award Show
  
• 450+ Exhibitors
  

2010 – September 11th-12th

Saturday: 11:00am-7:00pm
Sunday: 12:00pm-6:00pm

One Day - $10
Weekend Pass (Two Days) - $15
Money is collected at the show and you do not need to pre-register.

Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center
5701 Marinelli Road
Bethesda, MD 20852
(301) 822-9200

Jeff Alexander, Executive Director, Executive Committee - jeff@spxpo.com
Warren Bernard, Assistant Director, Steering Committee - warren@spxpo.com
Karon Flage, Exhibitor Coordinator, Executive Committee - spxcomics@gmail.com
Greg McElhatton, Ignatz Coordinator, Steering Committee - spxignatz@gmail.com
General Information – spxcomics@gmail.com

SPX has an attendance of over 3000 attendees.

SPX began in 1994 by a group of retailers seeking to promote independent comic books in their area. It has been based in the DC area since then and is now housed at the Marriott Bethesda North Hotel & Conference Center in Bethesda, Maryland.

Closely tied to the event is the Ignatz Award, named after George Herriman’s mouse character of the same name. Herriman is also the creator of Krazy Kat, and these two characters were very popular in the early 1900’s. The Ignatz is described as a “festival prize” and is considered to be the first of its kind in the United States. Convention attendees vote on the awards and they are later presented at the awards gala.

A great thing about the convention is its devotion to spreading the word about small press comics and the defense of this genre. The tables at the convention are only available to publishers and creators, not retailers. This ensures that the profits of sales go directly to those behind the creation of said comics. Another area that SPX has worked to benefit is free speech. All the profits of the convention go to the CBLDF (Comic Book Legal Defense Fund) and this brings in a lot of much needed money to help protect free speech for comic creators, publishers, and retailers. They also promote the CBLDF with auctions and special events.

Don’t have enough money to attend the con? SPX can also help with that if you volunteer to help the convention. All you need to do is agree to do a four hour shift during the show and locals to the DC area can get free admission by volunteering to pass out flyers in the weeks before. More information and a registration form is available at the SPX website. SPX has a lot to offer those creating, publishing, and reading indy comics. It is a fantastic convention with a strong focus that will surely give attendees what they are looking for.