“Cosplay is a huge factor for why people love going to shows,” says Kristina Rogers, the event manager for New York Comic Con (NYCC). “It’s a way for fans to express their passion and be as geeky and fun as they want, and other fans really enjoy seeing it.”
It takes a lot of work to put on these huge events. More than 200,000 fans and between 100 and 150 celebrities will attend NYCC this year from October 5-8. That’s a big challenge for Rogers and the NYCC planning team, which is made up of only 10 people!
Many of those 200,000 will be students in middle and high school. Conventions can be especially important for young people, Rogers says. They’re a place where you can find hundreds of people who love the same things you do. “I really encourage any kid interested in geek culture to attend these shows,” she says, “because I think it’s a wonderful way for them to expand their interest and meet new friends.”