As a result fan conventions are now blurring the line with industry trade shows. News that was released in an official press conference with vetted reporters is instead provided -- more profitably -- directly to diehard fans. It's a matter of going to where the target audience is says Linda Musgrove, author of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Trade Shows. "With those products that appeal to the fan base it makes sense," she says. "At industry shows you get caught up with competitors where at a convention with a core fan-base you can stand out a little more."
As a result many companies are re-evaluating at the convention circuit, whether the various Comic-Cons that are held throughout the United States or events such as this week's QuakeCon video game convention, which has grown in size from around 1,100 attendees in 1996 to nearly 10,000 today. Most are hardcore gamers. Instead of traveling to Europe for a week's vacation, these fans often drive Dallas, Texas to take part in three days of intense gaming and discussion of gaming.
Photo Credit for QuakeCon
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