We have encountered a small administrative hiccup on opening the Dragon Con Media Access Form on March 15. We apologize for any inconvenience, but assure you that we will be up and running very soon.
Applications will be processed quickly after submittal, and this will not affect your ability to report from Dragon Con.
The Dragon Con Media Relations Application for 2017 is up and live!
https://www.dragoncon.org/mediarelations/dc_media_rel_app.php
Topics:
Welcome!
We are excited you covered Dragon Con in 2016, and are eager to welcome you back to Dragon Con 2017! If this email seems a little dry, it is because it covers administrative matters, and we want to be precise in our communications. Do not let this hide our enthusiasm and gratitude for reporters who share the wondrous story of Dragon Con with your readers, viewers, and listeners.
Media Registration Opens 3/15
As we have for the past several years, Dragon Con will be opening 2017 Media Registration on MARCH 15. You can find out more at https://www.dragoncon.org/mediarelations. Registration will close August 20, 2017. There will not be onsite media registration for web-based media. We will not add or change reporters onsite for web-based media without prior permission from the Media Relations Director. Local market Atlanta broadcasters and press will have limited onsite registration with assignment letters.
Eligibility to be Media in 2017
Media access is provided to reporters and photojournalists covering Dragon Con for established media organizations. Your application will be vetted based on the following criteria:
Dragon Con Announcements So Far
Atlanta, GA – December 31st, 2016 – Last night the Georgia Garrison of the 501st Legion were the victims of crime when two valuable costumes were stolen from the SUV of Garrison Commander Bobby Shively. The 501st Legion is a worldwide organization of Star Wars Fans who enjoy portraying Stormtroopers, Darth Vader, and other characters from Star Wars while they enjoy each other’s company and do a whole lot of good. They are known for their hospital visits, raising money for charity, and improving the lives of kids everywhere. Most recently they have entered into a long term agreement with Make-A-Wish.
The costumes stolen from Shively are unique hand crafted costumes. “Vader was stolen from my vehicle tonight in Virginia Highlands, along with a Female Stormtrooper costume,” Shively said. Also taken were “some Hyperfirm foam rubber blasters.” The costumes were stored in 60 gallon rolling cases (Stanley and Husky), with the Vader helmet its own 18″ tom drum case.
The 501st is asking that anyone who sees these items for sale, notify the 501st immediately. Shively asked, “If anyone notices these items for sale on CL or other sites, please take a screenshot!” which will help to track down the items.
Shively can be contacted at: co@ga501st.com
Due to the sad nature of this crime, especially in light of the loss of Carrie Fisher this week, we are asking that you share this story widely. Interviews with Bobby Shively are available upon request.
The 501st is a long term friend and colleague of Dragon Con, and we ask the support of Dragon Con reporters and media to help solve this horrible, cowardly crime.
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Contact:
Phone:
Email: URL: |
Dan Carroll, Director, Media Relations
404 692 1958
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DRAGON CON 2016 ATTRACTS RECORD CROWD
Organizers Call 30th Anniversary Dragon Con a Spectacular Success
Dragon Con Wrap Up 2016 final (PDF Format for Download)
ATLANTA – September 5, 2016 – Dragon Con, Atlanta’s internationally known pop culture, fantasy, and sci-fi convention, announced a record attendance of more than 77,000 people for its 30th Anniversary celebration.
Fans came from around the world and all 50 states, with this year’s convention attracting people from as far away as Japan, New Zealand, and Fiji. Anime director Shinji Aramaki, one of some 400 actors, artists, authors and other creators, also travelled from Japan to be a part of the celebration.
“Our 30th Anniversary convention was a spectacular success,” convention co-chair Rachael Reeves said. “We notched a number of firsts, and were able to offer our fans an experience that was worthy of this special anniversary.”
As part of its 30th anniversary celebration, the convention, for the first time, offered substantial programming on Thursday and launched a new, fan-driven awards program, the Dragon Awards, to recognize the creators of science fiction and fantasy in books, comic books, games and filmed entertainment. The convention expanded by more 215,000 square feet with the addition to AmericasMart Building 2 to its footprint.
Atlanta’s CW69 broadcast the Dragon Con parade live on Saturday, Sept. 3rd, with a rebroadcast in primetime that evening. The parade broadcast was sponsored by Six Flags Over Georgia.
Actor Alan Tudyk announced the release of Con Man The Game, a mobile game based on Tudyk’s hit web series Con Man that allows players to build and run their own fan convention.
Mythbusters Tory Belleci and Kari Byron announced that they, along with Grant Imahara, will star in the upcoming Netflix original series White Rabbit Project. The show will look at the science behind things such as jet packs and fast cars.
In its fundraising efforts, Dragon Con raised about $98,000 for its 2016 official charity, the Atlanta Center for Self Sufficiency, which helps put homeless individuals on a pathway to achieving a healthy independence. ACSS is the largest and most successful provider of workforce development resources to homeless men and women in Atlanta.
The money was raised through auctions and other charity events, plus a $50,000 match from Dragon Con. Over the last five years, since 2012, Dragon Con has raised $440,000 for its official charities
Since 2014, which marked the start of the organization’s Superheroes program, Dragon Con and its fans have contributed more than 2,000 hours of community service. During 2016, Dragon Con Superheroes maintained portions of Piedmont Park with the Georgia Conservancy and Piedmont Park Conservancy, participated in the annual Walk to End Lupus Now, and helped fill school backpacks with For The Kid In All of Us.
Dragon Con’s annual Robert A. Heinlein “Pay It Forward” blood drive attracted a huge turnout, with about 3,000 attendees donating some 6,000 units of blood and blood products this year. The annual drive – consistently ranked as the largest convention-based blood drive – benefits LifeSouth, which serves more than 40 hospitals in the Atlanta area and 110 hospitals in the Southeast.
About Dragon Con
Dragon Con is the internationally known pop culture convention held each Labor Day in Atlanta. Organized for fans, Dragon Con features more than about 3,500 hours of comics, film, television, costuming, art, music, and gaming over four days. For more information, please visit www.dragoncon.org and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
Dragon Awards Recognize The Best In Imaginative Fiction In
Books, Games, Comics And Filmed Entertainment
Dragon Awards Winners FINAL (PDF)
ATLANTA – September 5, 2016 – The inaugural Dragon Awards were announced on Sunday, September 4th at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, during Dragon Con, the internationally known pop culture, fantasy, science fiction and gaming convention.
These awards, introduced as part of Dragon Con’s 30th anniversary celebration, recognize the best in imaginative fiction, books, games, comics and filmed entertainment as selected by the fans, who both nominate their favorite works and vote for the winners.
“These awards were completely fan-driven,” said Pat Henry, president of Dragon Con, Inc. “There are many awards programs across fandom, but too many of them limit voting to members or small groups of so-called experts. We believed that the voice of the fan was not being fully heard.”
The inaugural Dragon Award winners:
Best Science Fiction Novel
Somewhither: A Tale of the Unwithering Realm by John C. Wright
Best Fantasy Novel
Son of the Black Sword by Larry Correia
Best Young Adult/Middle Grade Novel
The Shepherd’s Crown by Terry Pratchett
Best Military Science Fiction or Fantasy Novel
Hell’s Foundations Quiver by David Weber
Best Alternate History Novel
League of Dragons by Naomi Novak
Best Apocalyptic Novel
Ctrl Alt Revolt! by Nick Cole
Best Horror Novel
Souldancer by Brian Niemeier
Best Comic Book
Ms. Marvel
Best Graphic Novel
The Sandman: Overture by Neil Gaiman
Best Science Fiction or Fantasy TV Series
Game of Thrones – HBO
Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Movie
The Martian
Best Science Fiction or Fantasy PC/Console Game
Fallout 4 by Bethesda Softworks
Best Science Fiction of Fantasy Mobile Game
Fallout Shelter by Bethesda Softworks
Best Science Fiction of Fantasy Board Game
Pandemic: Legacy by ZMan Games
Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Miniatures/Collectible Card/Role Playing Game
Call of Cthulhu Roleplaying Game (7th edition) by Chaosium Inc.
Atlanta’s CW69 to Broadcast Dragon Con Parade Live
Hour-long broadcast begins at 10 a.m. September 3
Atlanta–Superheroes, Gods, Goddesses, Ghostbusters, Zombie Hunters and Storm Troopers are just a few of the characters expected to parade along Peachtree Street on Saturday morning, September 3, starting at 10 a.m. For the first time in the history of the parade, it will be broadcast LIVE on WUPA-TV, Atlanta’s CW69. The hour-long broadcast will be co-hosted by longtime Dragon Con emcee Brian Richardson and resident “spokesthing” Ben Armstrong.
Dragon Con’s Creative Director Billy Messina was instrumental in bringing the parade to CW69. “Each year, tens of thousands of people take to the streets of downtown Atlanta to catch a glimpse of their favorite characters from movies, TV, comic books and beyond. Who else but Dragon Con could orchestrate a gathering of ewoks and orks, pirates and superheroes, monsters and martians and then have them all march down Peachtree Street with over 3,000 of their friends? So with all of their great genre programming, it seems only fitting that Atlanta’s CW will be the first to televise Atlanta’s largest parade,” said Messina.
CW69’s President and General Manager Tom Canedo echoed Messina’s enthusiasm. “With the CW’s slate of Superhero and Fantasy shows, Dragon-Con is such a natural fit for us. Lots of the CW’s stars will be at Dragon Con this year and who knows who may stop by during our parade coverage? This is the type of fun, local and entertaining event that we hope to bring to our viewers for years to come.”
In addition to the live broadcast, CW69 will also stream the parade available on atlcw.tv beginning at 10 a.m. and rebroadcast at 8pm on Saturday, September 3rd.
CW Dragon Con Parade Press Release (pdf Version of Release)
This episode Dragon Con Media Relations Director Dan Carroll gives the run down on the practical boots-on-the-ground aspects of Dragon Con Coverage. How to get to Dragon Con (Itsmarta.com), how to get your badge (Greenbriar Room/Hyatt Regency), how to contact Media Relations (via email or going to the Greenbriar room), and many other useful tidbits (if you take pictures in some areas you will lose your badge.)
Download This Podcast! (Right Click to Download!)
Marta: https://www.itsmarta.com/
https://www.parkingpanda.com/dragon-con-atlanta-parking (Dragon Con Parking!)
As always, we remind everyone that the Dragon Con app is a great source of information.
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
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Contact:
Phone:
Email: URL: |
Dan Carroll, Director, Media Relations
404 692 1958
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DRAGON AWARDS WILL RECOGNIZE THE BEST IN
IMAGINATIVE FICTION IN BOOKS, GAMES, COMICS AND FILMED ENTERTAINMENT
Final Voting Remains Open Until August 31st; Awards Ceremony Set For September 4th
ATLANTA – August 16, 2016 – The inaugural Dragon Awards will be presented on Sunday, September 4th the Hyatt Regency Hotel, as part of Dragon Con, the internationally known pop culture, fantasy, sci fi and gaming convention.
These awards, introduced as part of Dragon Con’s 30th anniversary celebration, recognize the best in imaginative fiction, books, games, comics and filmed entertainment as selected by the fans, who both nominate their favorite works and vote for the winners.
Voting at https://awards.dragoncon.org/ is open to anyone who registers. There is no cost or attendance requirement. Registering to vote ends this Sunday, August 28th at midnight. Voting for this year will end Wednesday, August 31st. Open nominations for the 2017 awards will begin in October of 2016.
Thousands of fans have already registered and voted. The finalists are chosen from nominations that are open to everyone who watches, reads or otherwise enjoys the imagination and excitement found in all types of Science Fiction and Fantasy.
“These awards are our way of recognizing the best writers, artists, directors and game designers who breathe life into the things we love,” says Pat Henry, president of Dragon Con, Inc.
The award itself depicts a flame.
“The first tall tales were told around fires in camps and caves,” Henry said. “Fire was perhaps the original invention that began man’s climb to civilization. The Flame has always been a symbol of imagination and progress and so each Dragon Award contains a unique, sculpted flame.”
The Dragon Awards fifteen categories are designed to recognize the authors, writers and creators behind the very best in genre fiction. Like the hundreds of events at Dragon Con, the Dragon Awards reflect the diversity of interests shared by those who enjoy science fiction. (more…)
Nine Things to Do with Your Tween at Dragon Con 2016
ATLANTA – July 26, 2016 – Dragon Con, Atlanta’s internationally known pop culture, fantasy and sci-fi convention, is a great way for families to make lasting memories together.
With so many different educational tracks, entertaining panels, and celebrity guests, it is often hard to decide the best family friendly schedule for Dragon Con members. To give parents a fun starting point for smiles and memories that will last a lifetime, we’ve created our Top 10 of things to do with your 9 to 13-year-old at Dragon Con
“As a convention by its members and for its members, Dragon Con is meant to be accessible to all ages of fans, including tweens and children,” said Convention Co-chair Rachel Reeves, “Parents and adults help foster creative thinking, fantastic imagination, and an atmosphere of camaraderie through social fandom for future generations.”
Children aged 15 and under must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Dragon Con does not offer any babysitting or childcare services, and parents or guardians must remain with their kids at all times.
Whether you are a new member or a seasoned one, here are nine things you should try to include in your weekend schedule:
Dragon Con is a fan-driven pop culture convention that exists for the fans. Every aspect of Dragon Con is focused on maximizing the fan experience, including Media Relations.
Media Access at Dragon Con is a privilege we extend to allow media to share the joy of Dragon Con, but we are not a media convention. With this in mind, we do not provide head of line privilege or preferential seating for reporters. While we appreciate your enthusiasm for our events and panel, we ask you to respect our line policy and refrain from requesting special access or entrance to any event.
