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More than 60,000 attended last year
The Calgary Comic & Entertainment Expo hasn't grown so much as exploded in popularity since its inception in 2006.
CONTRIBUTED Last year's Calgary Comic & Entertainment Expo drew 60,000 people.
About 3400 people walked through its doors the first year, while 60,000 people took in the event in 2013.
"We grew faster in attendance and size than we did as a company," says Calgary Expo founder and event director Kandrix Foong, who now employs seven full-time staff.
"I funded the whole Expo the first year. It wasn't like I could hire people when there's not enough money to go around. Money from each year's show goes into next year's stuff."
The hard work and money Foong has invested in Calgary Expo has more than paid off.
An extra day has been added to this year's event, which takes place April 24 to April 27 at the BMO Centre in Stampede Park.
As well, a 30,000 sq. ft. temporary pavilion will be set up at Stampede Park in order to accommodate even more people. So far, ticket sales are in excess of 80,000.
Part of the reason for the Calgary Expo's success is the carefully curated guest list.
In 2012, the show attracted the entire of cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation. A year later, The Walking Dead's Norman Reedus and everyone's favourite Game of Thrones Lannister, Peter Dinklage, were the main draws.
In addition to a reunion between Sigourney Weaver, Paul Reiser, Michael Biehn and Bill Paxton — who will participate in the Aliens EXPOsed event on April 26 at the Stampede Corral — this year's guest list includes Sean Astin, Craig Parker and Billy Boyd from The Lord of the Rings trilogy; The Hobbit actors Dean O'Gorman, Mark Hadlow and Jed Brophy, and former Doctor Who stars Matt Smith and Karen Gillan.
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