I've been. It's professional. The last few years have been like that year at Dragon Con when the hotel was under construction. Crowded, difficult to do any business. They outgrew their venue long ago. I'll believe the attendance numbers.
It's cool as cons go, nothing innovative. It's main draw is it's the only thing around with any money behind it...until now.
The Wizard World Portland thing is going to be bad for both cons. A bunch of the guests are the same, so people are going to go to one or the other, not both. I mean, some hardcore folks will do both, but people who would have driven to Seattle from other parts of the country will probably just go to Portland instead. And those will significantly outnumber the people who punch both tickets. My guess is the Portland con will do just ok, and the ECCC will do better than Portland, but still less than they expected.
That Wizard company has been a blight on the industry from inception. They're the Satan of pop culture, a costumed Wal-Mart with predatory practices. That magazine wrecked comics, their conventions spoil local conventions on purpose. They're sharks.
I mean, now I have two chances to get Lando's autograph, so good for me, but... it's creepy.
Caw!