In 2001, professional event organizers Bryan Cooney (Wolf Events) and Paul Miley (ScifiShows) founded the MCM Expo Group to hold Comic Cons and other multi-genre fan conventions across the United Kingdom. Of course, the very first Comic Con organized by the MCM Expo group took place in London. Inspired by its success, Miley and Cooney began to expand to other cities. Thanks to them, Scotland has its own Comic Con that is held annually in Glasgow.
Originally, MCM Scotland Comic Con was a one day show, but now it takes place on Saturday and Sunday just like Birmingham Comic Con or Manchester Comic Con. The show is held at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SESS), the largest exhibition center in Scotland, whose exhibit hall floor occupies 250,000 sq ft (23,355 square meters). Each year, MCM Scotland Comic Con draws approximately 10,000 attendees. Children under 10 accompanied by a paying adult get a free entry.
The programming of the convention is built around meetings with famous actors known for their roles in sci-fi/fantasy films and television shows as well as other special guests. For example, at the 2015 show attendees had an opportunity to participate in panels, photo ops and autograph sessions with Robert Llewellyn (Red Dwarf), Robert Picardo (Star Trek: Voyager, Stargate SG-1, Stargate Atlantis), Karl Yune (Arrow), and Game of Thrones stars Ian Beattie and Ian McElhinney.
Along with events featuring special guests, MCM Scotland Comic Con programming includes Comic Village where attendees can interact with comic book writers and artists, presentations of upcoming projects (movies, TV shows, comic books, anime, manga, video games), Artists’ Alley, cosplay contests, video game tournaments and other exciting events and activities.
Photo: mcmbuzz.com
