An expected record turnout for the comics and games fair next month has led organizers to ban the sale of limited edition items and restrict on-site sales of certain other products.Organizers are expecting more than 700,000 to attend the 14th Ani-Com & Games Hong Kong fair. There will be 170 exhibitors from around the world setting up about 500 booths for the five-day event.
"We've decided to ask exhibitors not to sell any limited edition items to avoid some of the problems that happened last year," fair executive director Leung Chung-poon said. "Many exhibitors will be required to sell their goods online and arrange for on-site pickup to avoid long queues and crowd congestion."
Every year, limited edition comics and game products have teenagers queuing up overnight or even a day or two before.
Leung said the fair has established a strong reputation and the growing popularity of comics and games means that attendance figures will keep growing every year. Last year 690,000 attended.
The interest in comics and animation has been driven by the growth of the internet, which allows young designers and animators to show off their work to a wider audience, he said.
The fair will run from July 27 to July 31 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai. KENNETH FOO
